“Let me help you get him out of here,” Alejandro said, coming around to prop me up. “How many beers did he have?”
“Only five,” Ben replied.
“I’ve got him. It’s okay. If you can just open the door for me, I’ll get him home.”
I sucked in a breath and looked at him. “You know whereIlive?”
“No,” he chuckled. “I know where I live. I’m taking you home with me.”
I was going home with Nick.
“I’m so happy,” I said, then kissed his cheek. “I can’t take it when you don’t flirt with me. I love you, remember?”
“Uh-huh,” he replied as we walked out back.
“Preston, give me your keys, please.”
I chuckled. “That rhymes.”
“If you want to go home with me, you’re gonna have to give me the keys to your car.”
I nodded like a bobblehead and dug into my pocket to retrieve them. Handing them to him, I heard the beep of the doors, and before I knew it, I was sitting in my car with Nick in the driver’s seat. He looked good over there. I needed to tell him.
I reclined my head on the seat and snorted. “When we get married, I’ll buy you one of these as a wedding present.”
Nick looked at me and shook his head. “Yeah, okay. Sounds good.”
I think there was some sarcasm in his voice. But the joke was on him. We were getting married.
I closed my eyes just for a minute. Just to rest them.
The next time I opened my eyes, my head was killing me. I never understood how beer could put me under the table, but wine barely gave me the slightest buzz.
But it was going to be okay. I’d take the splitting headache if it meant I could keep my head on Nick’s chest while he held me in his arms.
CHAPTER13
NICK
I wokeup Thursday morning to find Preston still draped across me in the same position as last night, or this morning, depending on how you looked at it. It was work getting him up here, and I probably should have taken him home. But Alejandro had given me the night off since I agreed to babysit Preston last night.
I knew if we didn’t talk this thing out now, he’d be following me around like a lost puppy again tonight. And why this puppy supposedly wanted me so much was a mystery to me.
I lifted my shoulders just enough to look at the clock on my bedside table, but that small movement was enough to make him stir. Preston tightened his hold on me.
“No,” he mumbled against my t-shirt.
Burrowing his perma-stubble into my chest, he breathed deeply and sighed with contentment. I’d seen pictures of baby animals who clung to their mamas less stubbornly than he was clinging on to me. There was no way I could contain my smile when I thought about last night and all his drunk confessions. How in the hell did five beers toast him like that?
“Preston,” I whispered, rubbing his back. “I’ve got to go to the bathroom.”
He stirred, then opened one eye to look at me. “No. Can’t move,” he mumbled before pursing his lips to kiss my chest.
I gently turned him onto his back and watched as one dark chocolate eye opened again, just enough to peek at me. He grabbed me and pulled me to him, making me laugh.
“I’ve got to go to the bathroom,” I chuckled, making him wince, then groan.
“Fine, but come back.” Preston loosened his hold on me and threw his arm over his eyes to block the light.
