Page 33 of Habits

Girls’ giggles break through the sound of my pounding heart. But only barely.

“We tried to tell her that, but she doesn’t believe us!” Lana nudges me playfully with her hip.

“Who doesn’t believe you on what?” Patrick joins our group, two Solo cups in his hands.

His smile is big, showing off his pearly whites as he looks around our group.

“Jeanette,” Nikki offers, giving him one of her sweet smiles and innocently batting her eyelashes. “She’s been hiding on us.”

His blue eyes settle on me, his gaze holding mine.

“Keeping secrets,” Lana chimes in.

“Does she now?” He lifts his brows, offering me a cup.

“Mhmm …” Nikki takes the second cup out of his hand. “And now, she’ll have to pay. Bottoms up.”

She clinks our cups and brings the red plastic to her lips. Her eyes stay glued on me until I do the same. Together, we tilt our heads back and let the cool liquid slide down.

Regular folks get beer, but for Maddy and her group, only the best. Usually cocktails.

I don’t know who makes them or what they put inside, but this time I welcome the slight bitterness of tequila—or is it vodka?—mixed with sweet orange juice.

I only manage half the cup before I start coughing. They start laughing, but at this moment, I don’t have it in me to care. I’m concentrating on starting tobreatheagain.

A big, warm hand lands on my back, tapping lightly.

“Come on. Cough it all out,” Patrick says, his taps steady on my back.

It takes a few minutes, but when I get it under control, I slowly lift my head. My cheeks are bright red, partly because of all the coughing and partly in embarrassment.

Looking at his blue eyes under my eyelashes, I find him smiling. “Better?”

I nod once, nibbling at my lower lip.

This is disastrous. What else can happen to make this day even worst? I’ll trip over something and break my ankle? Or maybe I’ll fall down and the material of this dress will finally give up and rise, baring my butt for the whole world to see.

“Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us.”

“I guess so,” I say, my throat hoarse. “I think I should go and grab some water.”

Patrick’s hand lands on the small of my back. “Let’s get you some, shall we?”

My whole body stiffens, but he doesn’t say anything, although I’m sure he has to feel my discomfort.

Slowly, I take in one long breath, trying to will my body to relax.

As if he can read my thoughts, Patrick’s smile widens. “Don’t worry, I don’t bite.”

Nervous laughter parts my lips.

“That is, if you don’t ask me to.” He winks, and I can’t stop the bright red from coloring my cheeks.

Not in embarrassment.

Not in discomfort.

No, this time it’s something different.

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