She filled her hands with cold water, then splashed it onto her flushed face, which did a little to bring her back down to earth. With a swipe under her eyes to fix her running mascara, she pulled the door open—only to come face-to-face with Niko, waiting in the dark corridor.
For a split second, she thought he’d come down there to talk to her, but when she saw his deer-in-the-headlights expression, she chastised herself for even letting the thought cross her mind.
“Sorry,” she mumbled reflexively, though she wasn’t sure why.
Niko’s brow furrowed. “Don’t be,” he said, and she had a feeling he didn’t know why, either.
Even though the bathroom was free, he made no move to go in. He just looked at her.
They stood there for a long, loaded beat, just over arm’s distance apart. She felt every inch of space between them acutely.
“So,” Merritt said, working as hard as she could to keep her diction clear. “You’re on a date.”
His frown deepened. “I’m on a date.”
“How long has that been going on?”
Niko shifted his weight. “It’s, um. Our first one.”
“Congratulations.” That one definitely came out slurred. “I’m glad to see you moving on so quickly.”
As soon as it was out of her mouth, she cringed.Oh, right,she thought dimly, in the part of her brain that wasn’t fully pickled in tequila,this is why I don’t fucking drink anymore.It had been years since she’d felt this out of control, and she’d deluded herself into believing that just because she hadn’t, it meant she couldn’t.
Niko’s face was troubled, and Merritt was reminded in a gut-churning flash of the way he’d looked at her as he’d held his hand out, asking her to dance.
“Are you?” he asked, his tone deep and grave, sending a shiver through her. “Glad?”
She held his gaze for a long moment, then slowly shook her head.
She took a step toward him, and he didn’t back away, just kept his eyes fixed on her face. It felt like she was stalking her prey, and he was frozen, helpless, in fight-or-flight. Her heart thundered in her chest, and she must be imagining it, but it almost felt like she could hear his, too.
“I hate it, actually,” she murmured, gazing up at him through her eyelashes, her voice a syrupy taunt. “Are you having fun?”
Niko was silent, his face even more pained than before.Footsteps sounded from the stairs above them, and she backed off, her stomach dropping to her toes along with her gaze, unsure who she dreaded seeing more—Skylar or Olivia. Luckily, it was neither of them.
“Sorry, are you waiting?” the woman asked, looking confused about whatever she’d walked into.
Merritt glanced at Niko. “Uh, no, go ahead,” he said, and it occurred to her that the uncomfortable look on his face might have as much to do with his bladder as the situation.
When the woman went into the bathroom, though, he turned his attention fully back to her.
“Well?” Merritt prodded. “Is she everything you thought she’d be?”
Niko’s mouth twisted, his eyes stormy. “Don’t make me say it.”
“Say what?” She moved forward again, regaining the ground she’d surrendered and more, just a breath away from him now.
He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing, and looked helplessly away, then back to her. “That I wish I was here with you.”
That was all she needed.
She was on him so quickly it surprised even her, arms wrapped around his neck, her mouth opening to him practically the moment their lips touched. He let out a pained exhale, almost a groan, the taste of beer on his tongue, his rough hands on her hips pulling her into him for a brief, hard, hot moment—but the next thing she knew, he’d released her and backed away, cold air and humiliation rushing to replace the heat.
“What are you doing?” he asked, breathing hard, his gaze flashing with anger.
“What?” Merritt asked, breathless and dazed. He stepped closer again, his voice low and intense.
“I’m on adatewith someone else.” He shook his head in frustration. “Figure out what you want, Merritt. If you’re so worried about hurting me, then cut this shit out. Either you want to give this a try or you don’t. I’m not interested in fucking around.”
