The tequila gives me a confidence boost as I lean in to whisper in his ear, “Long time no see.”
He takes in my appearance before responding. “I texted you. So many times. You haven’t answered a single one, or even looked at them.”
“You’re not wrong.”
“Was there a reason for it?”
“Nope. Just figured if it was important, you would come tell me in person.”
If he wants nothing to do with me then he can tell me to my face, not in a text. I also didn’t want him to know he hurt my feelings by leaving so abruptly the other night. I wave over to the bartender, asking for another round of shots. He pours them, places them in front of me and leans over the bar to whisper in my ear.
“Give him hell and if he doesn’t work out or you change your mind, then you can always ask for my number.”
I laugh and blow him a kiss as he pulls away to help someone at the other end of the bar. While his offer is tempting, I only did it to punish Atlas who’s currently squeezing his beer glass so hard I’m surprised it hasn’t shattered yet.
“Want to get out of here, big man?”
“Why? You just got here?”
“Why not? What do you have to lose? We’re just going for a walk.”
The truth was, I was getting anxious and didn’t know how much longer my confidence would last. I grab his hoodie from the back of his chair and toss it on his lap as I head for the door. Without looking behind me, I already know he’s following after me.
Shit. Now what?
I didn’t think I’d make it this far.
Okay, I can do this.
I turn left at the intersection, glancing over my shoulder to see Atlas is still following me. Okay. Think. Think. We’re walking right by a playground and a wicked idea comes to mind.
This grump needs to loosen up just a little, and I think I know a good way to make this worth his while. I grab his hand, pulling him towards the swings.
“You can’t be serious right now. Why are you dragging me through apark in the middle of the night?”
I shoot him a devilish smirk over my shoulder but keep walking until we get to the swings.
Letting go of his hand, I gesture to the swing, but he just stares at me like I’m being childish. Fine, we can do it the hard way.
I grab his shirt and pull him to me.
“Come on, pretty boy, entertain me for a moment. I promise that you’ll enjoy the outcome. What do you say?”
I know he’s on edge.
I know he’s still angry about what happened at the bar, but that’s what he gets for just leaving the other night.
I push him backwards and he moves without a fight.
With a huff, he plops down on the swing anyways.
“I don’t see how….”
Before he even gets the chance to finish his sentence, I use the ropes to pull myself up high enough to straddle him on the swing.
His hands automatically slip underneath the hem of my skirt, yet he still tries to protest, so I shush him by pressing my lips against his.
It’s just a quick peck to stop him from over thinking this.
