Ash threw up her hands. “So, why are you being weird about saying who it is?”
“Because I’m a gentleman. I don’t kiss and tell. Plus, she wanted to keep it low-key.” He opened his car door.
“Well, you do too,” I said, crossing my arms.
Ash and Sal stared at me.
Fuck my big mouth. I was not going to out myself so early. I vaguely gestured to him. “Because you…aren’t saying anything even generally. She could be a girl from the bar. She could be married.”
“She’s not married,” he squawked.
Ash nudged my arm. “Want to run a background check on her, Zero?”
“No. I just hope she makes you happy,” I said, lowering my head. My pulse roared in my ears louder than the rustle of leaves. Oh my god. Was I asking him to reassure me?
Ash studied me, her gaze searing through my skin.
Sal’s voice was so soft. “Aw, Z…”
“I’ve gotta go. See you later.” My heart jolted as if I’d fucked up by overloading an outlet. I raced to my car and locked myself in.
Why was I such an idiot? Did I have to say that? Any of it? They’d think I was a loser or some socially inept idiot.
They talked in the parking lot for another few seconds, but then she left, shouting, “See you, heartbreaker.”
That had to be ironic. I couldn't imagine him hurting somebody.
My phone pinged.
I strangled my phone as soon as I sent the message. It was a euphemism. He’d think I was sex-obsessed. Or obsessed with him. Maybe I needed to get it out of my system.
He liked the message with a heart, then quickly edited it to a ‘thumbs up.’ I sighed. Maybe we were both mixed up and nervous. He wouldn’t want to give the wrong impression. We were friends who decided to explore physical pleasures.
It was kind of weird to have someone follow me by invitation. During the ride, Sal bobbed to the music in his car, drumming on his steering wheel during stoplights. I smiled in the rearview mirror and shook my head. I bet he belted along to the chorus too. The green light glowed.Go ahead. Enjoy.
Once we got inside, I led him into the living room. “I saw your rock star routine in the car.” I mimed drumming in thin air.
“Hey, I was dusting the dashboard,” he said.
“Sure you were. So, next time I spot some lint on you, I should take care of it like this?” I patted his body like he was a human bongo.
“Z, stop.” He laughed, play-fighting back, then yanking me against him.
Electricity sizzled in the air between us. I giggled, my breasts grazing his chest. An ache developed deep in my gut. Could we just do this? Go at it?
He rubbed my arms, his gaze drawn to my lips.
I surged closer to give him a kiss, but the brim of my hat smashed into his forehead and ricocheted us apart. “Ah, sorry,” I said.
“It’s okay.” He let go of me to rub the red mark and wrinkled his nose. “I’m still pretty.”
“Y-yes, you are.” Too pretty. Too sweet. Too tempting for me to relax and enjoy myself in his company. I took off my hat and gestured to the game setup. “Want to dust off Just Rock? I fixed the track pads.”
“You did?” He tried them out. The pad lit up, as did his eyes. “You are a superstar genius,” he said.
