Page 78 of Guarded Love

"I want to." His gaze holds mine for a beat too long before he turns toward the crowded bar. "What does everyone want?"

Madison immediately perks up. "Something tropical. Surprise me."

"Beer," Tyler calls out, already scanning the room, but for what, I have no idea.

David steps closer to me with that persistent smile still plastered on his face. "I'll take whatever the lady's having," he says, nodding toward me.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. "I haven't ordered yet."

"Then I'll wait," he says, like this is somehow charming instead of mildly irritating.

Blaise stares him down before he turns to me. "What do you want, Willow?"

The way he says my name makes me want to melt into the ground or swoon. Or something equally as ridiculous. There's an edge to it and I like it more than I should.

"Hmmm…maybe a pina colada? OH in the pineapple!" I say, still looking at him. I’d seen a few vendors selling them on the way here and now seems like the perfect opportunity to order one.

"Perfect. Tyler, help me grab the drinks?" He turns to look at Tyler and when Tyler gives him the okay, they make their way through the crowd toward the bar.

Before I can process that he left, David slides into the space Blaise vacated. "So, pineapple drinks, huh? Very tropical of you."

"It's Puerto Rico," I say flatly. "Seemed appropriate."

“Touché, touché. You know," David continues, leaning closer so I can hear him over the music. "I was thinking we should explore more of the city tomorrow. Just the two of us."

Madison catches my eye and raises an eyebrow. I can practically see her biting back a laugh.

"That's sweet," I say, taking a step back to create some space between us, "but I think we have group activities planned."

"Not all day though, right?" David's smile never wavers. "Come on, don't you want to see the real San Juan? Not just the touristy stuff?"

"I'm pretty sure everything we're doing is the real San Juan," Madison interjects, and I could kiss her for it. "That's kind of the point of the trip."

David glances at her briefly before turning his attention back to me. "Sure, but wouldn't it be more fun with just...the two of us?"

The way he says it makes my skin crawl slightly. There's something about his persistence that reminds me too much of Leo. The way he'd never take no for an answer, always pushing until I gave in just to make it stop.

"I like the group dynamic," I say firmly. "More people means more perspectives. More opportunities to learn."

David's smile falters for just a second before he recovers. "Right, perspectives. But sometimes you need to step away from the group to really experience a place, you know?"

"I think I'm experiencing plenty," I say, gesturing around us.

Madison steps closer to me, creating a subtle barrier. "Besides, we're roommates. We've got plenty of girl time planned already when we have some free time on the schedule." She gives David a pointed look. "Right, Willow?"

"Absolutely," I say as I shoot Madison a look that I hope shows how grateful I am that she’s doing this. "We've got so much planned."

Before David can respond, Blaise and Tyler return, and I don’t think I’ve ever been happier to see Blaise in my life. He appears at my side, holding out a pineapple drink that looks exactly like what I'd imagined—complete with a little paper umbrella and everything.

"One pina colada in a pineapple," he says, extending it toward me.

When I reach for it, our fingers brush against each other as he transfers the drink to my hands. The contact sends a jolt up my arm that has nothing to do with the music or the energy of the bar. His fingers linger just a moment longer than necessary before he pulls away, but I don't mention it. Can't mention it.

"Thank you," I manage to say before taking a sip. The drink is sweet and cold and exactly what I needed to cool down the heat that's been building in my chest all evening.

Blaise nods, then hands Madison her drink. It’s something pink and fruity with way too many garnishes. Tyler gets his beer, and David receives his pina colada with significantly less ceremony. Lowkey, I’m surprised Blaise brought him anything back.

"So," Madison says, raising her glass, "to Puerto Rico and new experiences!"

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