Page 51 of Tanner

“Get a room!” another calls out.

Our friends are staring at us with all of our drinks and shots in their hands. I bury my head in Tanner’s chest and laugh in embarrassment as he kisses my head.

“Come, let’s play nice with our friends,” he says into my hair.

He leads us to a table in the back that Ryan reserved for us. Apparently, these guys are regulars and good friends with the staff. Works for me because my feet are already starting to throb.

“I like those shoes,” Tanner says as I slide into the booth and shrug off my jacket.

“Thanks. They’re April’s. Willa and I raided her shoe closet before we came out.”

Willa slides into the other side of the booth, and Ryan and Chris wrestle for who gets to sit next to her. Since Ryan is much bigger, he gets in, and Chris grabs a chair, pulling it up to the end of the table.

“Do you always borrow your friends’ shoes?” Tanner asks me.

“No, but my favorite pair of black heels was destroyed by red paint.”

“I’m gonna have to see that my girl is taken care of.”

My girl.

It’s the second time he’s said it tonight. We’re not boyfriend and girlfriend, which is good because having just come out of a long-term relationship, it seems rash to jump into a new one so soon. We’re not friends with benefits because we’re not friends, although the benefits seem to come easily with us. And the phrase seeing each other is way too casual.

My girl. His girl. I like it.

“A toast.” Ryan raises his glass, and we all grab our shots. “To one-night stands!”

I laugh out loud, and Tanner gives Ryan the death stare.

Ryan tilts his head. “May they turn into two and three and four and five …”

“And six … and seven … we get it.” Chris is rolling his hand in the air. He clears his throat and sings, “To good times, warm bodies, and the good times we have with those warm bodies.”

Tanner shakes his head and adds his own, “To a fan-fucking-tastic Friday night!”

“I’ll cheers to that!” Willa chimes in, and we all clink glasses.

The guys take theirs quick.

I lift my chin to drink mine as Ryan asks, “Are you gonna tell us why you ghosted our boy?”

I nearly spit the liquid on the table.

Willa’s eyes dart from me to Tanner. “You ghosted him?”

I raise a hand to cover my face in embarrassment as I hear Tanner explain, “She didn’t even leave her number.”

Fascinated, Willa leans her arms on the table. “How did you find each other again?”

Tanner’s hand finds mine on my thigh, and he laces our pinkies. “Fate.”

Willa sighs. Ryan takes this opportunity to start talking to her.

While they’re absorbed in conversation, Chris takes his beer, knowing he’s lost his opportunity with Willa. I hear him say, “I’m off to find some college lovin’,” as he steps away.

I turn my body toward Tanner and take a sip of my wine. It also gives me a good view of the bar. The girls are wearing everything from jeans and tight tops to short dresses with hooker boots. I look down at my outfit—dark blue denim and a long-sleeved black silk top.

Everyone here is obviously much younger than I am. It is a bar near the university. I run a finger along my pearl necklace. I forgot I had it on, yet now, I feel like it screams out, I’m a fifth grade teacher, and I don’t belong here.