After using the bathroom and wiping the makeup from under my eyes, I felt better and focused on making Dean more comfortable. It was strange that in the bedroom he seemed so in charge, and I loved it. My life was pure focus, and having him tell me what to do? It was hot. I wasn’t the one making the decisions for once.
Yet when the moment ended, he pulled away from my touch and shared he believed people just thought he was a pretty face. The cocky guy I met freshmen year would never have said that about himself. Something had to have happened for the shift. I also wasn’t one to stick my nose where it wasn’t my business. I hated being on the receiving end of other’s nosiness, so I rarely asked too many questions myself. Plus… this was a fling not… real, so were feelings even a thing we spoke about? I was winging this whole experience, half motivated by lust, half adrenaline.
“Okay, Romano, I have pretzels, hummus, vegetables, popcorn, or trail mix. We also have Gatorade and water.” Bringing the attention to my favorite thing ever, food, seemed like the right idea.
“Pretzels are great,” he said, his voice a little scratchy.
I grabbed the bag and two waters and set them on the small coffee table. He sat on the couch, legs spread because he was so large, and I positioned myself on the floor with my back resting against our small recliner. “Snacks of a champion.”
“Why aren’t you asking me what’s wrong?” he asked, before shoving one of the sticks in his mouth. “Most people would.”
Direct. Like in the bedroom. My face heated, but I used the pretzel as a distraction as I shrugged.
“Because I know what it’s like to doubt yourself, and it’s not helpful to talk when you’re not ready.”
His eyes widened, like my response surprised him. Then, they warmed, and he stared at me like I was the answer to a question I wasn’t sure of, and it made my nerves flutter.
Change topic.Blinking fast, I scanned the room for a single item that would help this scenario and landed on the paper in front of me.
“Oh, the list! Let’s update it!”
The Summer Playbook
Buy a guy a shot
Mixologist challenge – ask bartender to let you make a drink
Skinny dipping
Get a makeover
Tattoo
Take a body shot off someone
