Page 35 of Just Forever

“Thanks,” he says, then takes a step back. It feels like he’s this close to punching my shoulder and throwing in a ‘dude.’

I hate it.

But I won’t do anything about it. Instead, I make myself smile at him.

“Did you have fun?” I ask.

His face lights up again. “So much fun! Will you sing with me?”

He’s drunk and adorable.

I shake my head with a laugh. “No way. I’m not here to torture people.”

He grins at me but lets it go. Instead, he sits down, takes my beer, and drains it before he leans back in his chair and sends me a wide, dreamy smile.

“You’re cute,” he says. “Have I told you lately?”

“I don’t mind hearing it again.”

“Very cute.” His eyes move up and down me and get stuck somewhere on my chest, zeroing in on the spot where my heart is beating for him. “And sexy,” he continues. “Very sexy. I can’t wait to get my hands on you later.”

Rachel flops into the chair next to Sawyer, and she throws her arm over Sawyer’s shoulders.

Lake’s eyes remain fixed on me.

Rachel leans closer to me. “You know, if you plan to keep this a secret, you’ll have to dial down the eye-fucking.”

“But I like eye-fucking my boyfriend,” Lake says.

“Exactly how drunk is he?” Kelly squints at Lake.

“On a scale of one to ten? I’d say a solid six,” Sawyer says.

“I get to have a professional athlete in my bed every night,” Lake announces, completely oblivious. He leans forward and pinches my cheeks between his thumbs and forefingers. “He’s, like, the best I’ve ever had. No offense, Kel.”

“Plenty taken,” Kelly says easily. “I’m gonna go get us more shots. Let’s see if we can take this six to a ten.”

“I don’t think—” I start to say.

“Can we do lemon drops?” Rachel cuts me off.

“Maybe—” I try again.

“Ooh! We totally should,” Lake says.

They all get up and head for the bar.

“I’ll just sit here,” I call after them. “With my reasonable suggestions.”

Yeah, they’re definitely not listening.

Drunk or not,there’s no denying that Lake is finally relaxed. It’s late, but the party is still going strong. It’s marginally quieter and calmer now that the karaoke has been replaced by a jukebox. Lake’s sitting next to me, close enough that every time he executes one of his wild, drunk gestures, his shoulder rubs against me.

Kelly, Lake, and Rachel are, by now, about equally drunk. Those last three shots took care of any differences there might’ve been in the tipsiness levels.

They’re currently talking about which reality TV show they’d be best at. So far Kelly’s been very vocal about how he’d kick ass inThe Great British Bake Off, and now the three of them are arguing about Lake.

“What do you mean I wouldn’t make it one day inNaked and Afraid?” Lake seems genuinely surprised. “I’ve got skills.”

---