“See, you’re so nice,” I repeat. “Wasn’t expecting this. I only live two blocks away. Probably faster to walk.”
“Alright, let’s get moving. Can’t have you freezing out here on me.”
“Can we get Taco Bell? I live right by it.”
“Sure,” Will agrees, and I stumble into him.
“Stupid sidewalk,” I grumble as I balance myself against him, holding onto his arms as he wraps one around my waist.
“Definitely the sidewalk,” he teases.
I let out a big sigh. “I’m really glad you’re bringing me home. I am druuunk. No more shots for me tonight.”
“See, aren’t you glad I came to see how you were doing?”
“Mmm.” I briefly think about it. “Still think I would’ve liked birthday sex. I even wore my favorite panties tonight, but I guess I can settle for Taco Bell with you.”
Will’s steps briefly falter, and he sucks in a breath. It’s the drunk leading the drunk apparently. But once he steadies himself, we pick up the pace into the Taco Bell parking lot. When we get inside, it’s nearly empty, apart from some other college students who seem to have the same idea as us. Will rolls his shoulders and rubs his arms, trying to warm up. Maybe I should feel bad for being underprepared and wearing his sweatshirt, but I don’t.
“Hi, what can I get for you?” the person behind the counter asks as we approach.
I rattle off my order, and Will does the same. I take my card out since I haven’t paid for a single thing tonight and don’t want to seem like I expect Will to pay for everything.
“Put it away,” he orders, and my eyes snap up to meet his. He taps his card on the payment processor, and I bat my eyelashes at him.
“You’re really spoiling me tonight.”
He shrugs. “I like taking care of my friends. It makes me happy.”
I lean back against the counter, considering his words. His slightly bloodshot blue-green eyes are watching mine, his dark hair is a wavy mess, and he has a light touch of facial hair. His one silver hoop earring always draws my attention. Fuck, he’s hot.
“Your earring,” I blurt out without any context.
He smiles, clearly amused. “What about it?”
Shit. Why did I say that? Oh well. Too late to take it back now, so I might as well ask. “Just wondering what inspired the piercing.”
He tugs at the hoop almost absent-mindedly. “Oh, my roommate Cam dared me to do it freshman year.”
“Is it that easy to get you to agree to things?” I tease. “A simple dare and you alter your body forever?”
I expected him to deny it, to double down about how he’d always wanted one or something, so I’m surprised when he shrugs. “Pretty much, yeah. It was fun, and I try not to overthink the things I want. I don’t tend to regret something that makes me happy.”
I swallow past my suddenly tight throat as I have the errant thought that I could make him happy.
What the fuck? No, I couldn’t.
“And I like the earring. That’s why I still wear it,” he adds with a shrug.
I nod, trying to act casual as I admit, “I like it too.”
I like everything about Will’s appearance, but I’m not letting his looks distract me as I focus back on what we were talking about before.
“Well, I know you feel bad about the bike, and you seem really hung up on earning my forgiveness or whatever, but you don’t need to keep paying for things,” I assure him, trying to steer us back to a safer topic.
He steps in front of me, his muscular, tall body looming over me and barricading me against the counter. It doesn’t feel threatening. It feels challenging, and I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge. Especially when I’m fueled with liquid confidence.
“Is that not working? Do I need to work harder to win you over?”
