Page 23 of Tempt Me

“Good call.” I grasp the glass. The condensation cools my hand as I arch an eyebrow. “Alcoholic Pink Lemonade?”

“Yes.” Her eyes dance. Ruby enjoys trying different drinks every time we go to the bar. She’ll run out of them someday, and we’ll have to start over.

“I’m sorry I’m late.” The last note of the song ends in the middle of my statement, and the people at the next table turn and glare at me.

“Sorry.” I raise my hands in defense, and they quickly return to their conversation.

“I got here about 30 minutes ago. Work got out early today.” Ruby tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and frowns. “I saw you checking Dominic out when you came in. When are you going to get over him or make a move?”

I groan and flop my head against the bench seat. “You’re like a broken record. I’m not interested in him, so there’s nothing that’s ever going to happen.”

She rolls her eyes. “And that’s the story of your life. Nothing is ever going to happen.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I glare at her.

“Hey, Doll.”

“What?” I jerk my head around so hard my neck hurts like I’ve gotten whiplash. It’s Rick, the guy from class. Did he say Doll, or was I imagining things? I’ve seen him around campus,and he held the door open for me earlier in the week when I was coming into the building, but I’d never spoken to him before the conversation about me looking happy.

“How’s it goin’?” He rests his foot on the bench seat beside me while dangling a beer by its long neck.

“Good.” I stare at him like he has a horn growing out of his forehead. Why’s he talking to me? He’s the backup quarterback of the college football team. We are not running in the same circles.

I glance around the bar, searching for who put him up to it, when I meet Dominic’s gaze. His eyes are hard as granite. Clearly, it wasn’t him or one of my brothers.

When Ruby kicks me under the table, I straighten and glare at her. “What was that for?”

“Because you’re an idiot.”

“I am not.”

Rick clears his throat. “Have a nice night.” Before I reply, his back is turned, and he’s disappeared in the crowd.

“Hey, dumbass. He called you Doll and clearly would’ve asked you to dance if you wouldn’t have looked at him like you were a drowning guppy.”

“Please. Rick doesn’t want anything to do with me. He only spoke to me once when he told me I looked weird. If he was going to ask me to dance, someone put him up to it.” I shrug and grab my glass. “He was probably hoping to con us out of the booth so he and his friends could have somewhere to sit.”

“I think you’re wrong. He looked interested, and if guys don’t ask you out, it’s because they think you’re dating one of your brothers’ friends or you are obsessed with one of them. Which you are.”

“Whatever.” I down the remaining drink and slap it on the table. “How’s work?”

“We’re not done with our previous conversation. You’ve got to do something you want to do for once. Don’t date one of your brothers’ friends even though you’re clearly in love with Dominic. Done. Don’t pursue the career you’re interested in. On it. Get a degree in accounting, even if you hate it. Of course. I mean, why not?” She waves her hand in the air as her eyes narrow into slits. “You won’t even get a tattoo because your dad said once that you couldn’t–”

“Enough.” My voice is sharp as I cut her off. “Fine. I like to please my family, and maybe it seems like I put their needs above my own. But….” I tip my chin out. “I have some news for you. I signed up for Cosmo and got accepted.”

“That’s amazing.” Her eyes glisten as she lurches forward and grasps my hands. “I know I sound like a bitch harping on you all the time, but I love you, and I hate seeing you sacrifice your happiness because you aren’t willing to tell your family what you want to do. When do you start? In the spring?”

I lick my lips, inhale, and bite my bottom lip as the waitress brings us another round of drinks. “Classes start on the 15th.”

“The 15th? Of October?” Her eyes are wide as she gapes at me. “I can’t believe you’re going to do it. How did your parents react to the news about quitting school?”

“I haven’t told them.” Shit. I can’t do it. Just because the approval was for a full-time position doesn’t mean I can’t switch to part-time. “I’ll drop three classes so I can get a part-time job to pay the tuition, and I’ll go part-time to Cosmo. This way, I can do it all.”

I’ll barely have time to sleep for the next three or four years, but it’ll make everyone happy. So dating is out. Even if I had a dating prospect, I’d never get to see him.

When will I have time to meet with my friends for a drink? Or stop by my brothers’ place to drool over Dominic? Never? Maybe this isn’t such a good idea. My stomach cramps. I should withdraw the application or wait until spring.

“And kill yourself in the process. I don’t want to see you burn the candle at both ends and make yourself sick. If you want to still pursue your degree, you can always return after you finish Cosmo. It would be easier to grab some classes at night while working at a salon during the day.”

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