“New York, I think?” Peter’s the one who answers.
“No, no. Like, where’s hereallyfrom?”
Eden crumples the napkin in her fist, her skin prickling. “Excuse me?”
“Oh, you know what I mean. Is he Korean or Japanese?”
A flicker of annoyance makes Eden work her jaw. “What’s it matter?”
“He just lookssomuch like that guy from that K-pop group.” She snaps her fingers, straining her two brain cells for a name. “Taehung? Or Mingyu? I guess it would be alright if he’s Chinese, too, but…”
“You need to piss off,” Eden snaps, slowly rising from her seat. “Right now.”
“What’s your problem?”
“Look, I’m going to give you the benefit of a doubt here and say that you’re clearly too sauced to be thinking straight, but what you’re saying is… Yeah, just ew.”
“I just want to know more about him.”
“Then how about asking for hisnamefirst?”
“You’re making this weird.”
“You handled that all on your own when you asked where he wasreallyfrom.”
“Preach!” Rina hoots.
“Give it to her, Eden!” Peter shouts.
“Run along, dollface,” Freddie adds, gesturing a hand in a ‘shoo’ motion.
Blondie scoffs. “Whatever, bitch.”
The table of women leave just as Alexander returns with another tray of refreshments. He sets everything down, eyeing Eden curiously. She’s seated on the edge of her chair, lip curled up into a pout.
“What was that all about?” he asks.
Eden stuffs the napkin into her jacket pocket. “Oh, nothing. Just asking where she got her lipstick from. Thought it might look nice on me.”
He tilts his head to the side, giving her lips a once over. “I think you’d look nice either way.”
Freddie and Rina do their best to hide their laughter. Peter rests his chin on his hand and dares to make kissing faces. Alexander’s smart enough to ignore them.
And if Eden sits a little closer to Alexander for the rest of the night to ward off the interest of nearby tables, he certainly doesn’t seem to mind.
* * *
They drop Rina off first, and then Freddie and Peter at their shared apartment.
Alexander drives her home next. The ride is nowhere near as intense as it was yesterday.
“Did you have fun?” she asks, mildly buzzed. Most of the effects of her drinks have long since worn off, but a warm haze lingers to fill her mind. She feels good. That, and the scent of his cologne works like magic on her. Something about him reminds her of the ocean. A little cold and dark sometimes, but with moments of shining brilliance, hidden treasures and vibrant life hidden somewhere deep below.
She wants to dive straight in.
“Yeah, actually,” he says while taking a left turn. “Pretty fun.”
Eden smiles, triumphant. “Told ya.”
