A ribbon of possibility fluttered through my mind. Maybe he was even sweeter than me. I just needed to provide the opportunity for us to get to know each other without everybody watching.
“Actually, I might stay and catch a ride with Angel, instead,” I said.
“What?” Kat and Angel asked at the same time.
At her glare, he straightened his posture.
“I mean, yeah, we can do that,” he said, his cheeks flushed.
“Thanks.” I turned to my sister. “This way, you can meet Victor earlier.”
She frowned at Angel. “How many drinks have you had?”
“Two and a half.” He toasted her with his Negroni, the orange slice firmly gripping the glass edge.
“He’s been drinking them over the last few hours, so that’s perfect.” I patted his slightly damp back.
He took another sip and nodded.
Was he hot? Or nervous?
“I can still go with my sister, if you’re not sure of your plans,” I said, glancing at the curly-haired lady from earlier.
“No, no. I’ll take you.” He flexed his fingers around the sweating glass. “I just need to settle my bill. One minute.” He slipped away to the bar.
Kat frowned. “Are you sure about this?”
“No. But I think it’s worth the risk," I said.
“Okay. Love you. Be safe.” She kissed my cheek and hugged me tightly. “Text me when you get home, okay?”
“You sound like Victor.”
“Oh, no, he’s much more protective.” She waved goodbye as Angel returned. “Have fun, you two.”
“We will,” I said through gritted teeth.
Get out of here, please.
She skipped through the door to meet her beau. Was sex that exciting? Or was it love? I supposed it could be both.
I hadn’t really had either, yet. Angel could educate me in some aspects.
He touched the back of his arrow piercing. “So, what do you want to do? Talk? Dance?”
I could do that with my sister. There was something specific I wanted to try with him. “How about we get out of here?” I asked.
He raised his brows. “Oh. Sure thing, pidge.”
Sal gave us an anxious smile on the way out, possibly because he spotted Angel’s arm around me. But it’d be fine. We enjoyed each other’s company.
Angel led me to the passenger’s side of a silver car and skidded in the slush to pull open the door for me.
“Are you trying to be some kind of gentleman?” I asked, eyeing him as I maneuvered into the seat.
“My nameis‘Angel.’ At some point, I should live up to it.” He winked, his shadow covering me as he leaned over to buckle me in. “Just don’t tell anyone I did all this, okay? It’d ruin my reputation.”
“What reputation?” I joked.
