Page 87 of Tenderfoot

Constantly getting more amazing!

He went back out, closing the door behind him.

Totally amazing.

I sucked back the drink, and it took until after my shower to realize, astoundingly, I felt a whole lot better.

After coffee and a bagel, believe it or not, I was fit as a fiddle.

Yes.

I was sensing Javier “Mountain” Montoya was so amazing…

He was downright perfect.

THIRTEEN

“SISTERS ARE DOIN’ IT FOR THEMSELVES”

(EURYTHMICS/ARETHA FRANKLIN)

I sure was glad Javi cured my hangover, because that meant we could make out in his truck before he dropped me off at work, and I wouldn’t gag or worse, throw up all over him.

I bounced inside, waving behind me the whole way, while Javi grinned at me the whole way.

I hummed through storing my bag in my locker and putting on my server apron.

Then I bounced through the kitchen, singing, “Hi, Lucia!”

She was salting something in a big pot, so, as per protocol, she ignored me.

I hit The Surf Club and immediately had five pairs of friend eyes on me.

I would understand why when Jessie begged, “Please tell me Javi didn’t take it there last night. You were totally wasted.”

And my good mood evaporated.

“We haven’t known him for very long,” I began, “but has he once given you the impression he was that guy?”

“Fuck, I fucked up again,” Jessie muttered.

“Uh…yeah,” I agreed. “And for the record, if he did take it there, I would have been okay with it because I want it, and he wants it, but he didn’t. I mean, I tried. I was all over him when we got back to his place. He shut me in his bathroom with my toiletries and his tee, and by the time I got ready for bed, I was also ready to pass out, which was what I did.”

“He had to shut you in his bathroom?” Shanti asked, her voice shaking with laughter.

I refused to be embarrassed by that and just nodded.

“How sweet,” Willow cooed.

“Totally,” I agreed, then turned squinty eyes on Jessie.

“You attacked him?” she asked.

“I tried,” I replied.

Her lips curled up in a smile.

I rolled my eyes.

---