I feel like a walking bruise. I wantsomuch, and I have no idea what he’s willing to give me.
But then Nate reaches out, tucking one strand of hair behind my ear. He doesn’t jerk back. He doesn’t tense up.
It’s just him.
“Do you know what you look like right now?” he asks.
“A mess?”
“God no. You look like the girl who thought I’d spiked the punch at homecoming junior year, right before she dragged me outside to yell at me.”
“Nate,” I groan. “Are you ever gonna let that go? I was wrong about that. You didn’t spike it. You just helped them get it in.”
“You called me out on something stupid.” His hand moves down a long lock of my hair. “Your hair looked like this too.”
My heart is doing somersaults in my chest. “Is that a bad thing?”
“No, you lost a lot of your fight when you were with Rob. I missed this side of you.”
“I missed it too.”
A soft smile crosses his face. “We should figure out new boundaries about all this. I promise I won’t shut you out this time.”
I nod, relief hitting me like a truck. “Thank you.”
“But not when you’re drunk.”
“I’m only tipsy.”
“Which means you’re gonna be tired soon,” he adds. “Tell me, are your eyelids feeling heavy yet?”
I sigh. “Only slightly.”
“Then we’re on borrowed time. Do you wanna go back in there?” He looks at where the dancing is happening. “I might need to catch up with you on drinking, but I can dance if I want to.”
I look back at the room.
“I think I want food and to go to sleep early.”
“I could also go for those things. As long as I get to be with you.” The words are said casually as he puts his hands in his pockets. But it feels anything but casual to me.
“Let me say bye to Scarlett,” I say as I step away. “I’ll be right back.”
He gives me a nod before I find my friend. She’s near the door, still dancing, but easy to find.
“Hey. I’m gonna head out.”
“Oh?” She turns to me with a smile. “Did talking work?”
“You know it did,” I reply. “Thank you so much for giving me a safe space to just be for a little bit.”
“No problem,” she replies. “But I better get to see you again before this cruise is over.”
“You will.” I pull her into a tight hug before leaving.
After a quick dinner,we finishRevenge of the Sithfrom the last scene that Nate remembers while I plan how to broach the topic of where we’re sleeping. He gets ready for bed first while I lounge on the couch.
“So, I guess it’s my turn,” I say when he comes out of the bathroom.
