Page 3 of Never Flirt with a Dragon

I looked up at Jasper, but he was staring straight ahead, watching the dance floor too.

Or maybe just staring at the trees above it. I couldn’t say.

“They’ve been fighting all night,” I explained. “It’s driving me crazy. They just need to hook up already to get it out of their system. He’s totally riling her up on purpose, and Vi never backs down.”

Jasper grunted.

And didn’t otherwise reply.

Awkward.

“They seem like they’re leaving you alone, so I’m hiding here. Hope that’s okay.”

“It’s fine.” He didn’t sound annoyed.

Then again, I was too busy shivering at the seductive tone of his voice to consider whether or not he liked me.

“I grabbed an extra glass of wine when I made my escape, if you want it,” I added.

I was being awkward too.

Cool.

I was severely introverted, but I could usually carry on a conversation smoothly when I wanted to. And I wanted to with Jasper—but he didn’t.

So the weirdness set in.

Oh well.

It was fine. Only one more hour until I could go home.

Hopefully alone, while Vi went back to Eli’s place. That didn’t seem likely, but it didn’t hurt to dream.

She was going to spend the long drive back to our apartment ranting about how much she hated him. Yay.

“No thanks,” he said.

“Mmkay.” I took a long drink.

Maybe I needed to become the first drunk person at the wedding.

We sat in silence for a few minutes. He stared at the trees, and I watched my best friend. She and August were sneaking out, which was kind of adorable. I loved it.

“They’re going to the beach for their honeymoon. Elodie’s really excited,” I told Jasper, as the discomfort set in a little more.

He grunted again.

“I’ve never liked the beach,” I admitted, setting my glass down and fiddling with my hair. “Sand gets everywhere. It takes forever to scrub it out of my hair. Drives me crazy. I grew up by the beach, and kept my hair cut to my chin when I did. I loved it short. Not sure why I grew it out. I guess the internet convinced me with all its overly-edited pictures and all the extensions. Maybe I should chop it again.”

“I’ll take that glass of wine,” he said.

Sheesh.

He really didn’t like me.

That was fine, though. Whatever. I?—

Jasper took the glass without looking at me or it.

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