Page 52 of I Wanna Text You Up

“Not so bad, huh.” He shakes his head, his smile broadening. “I’m such an ass because there’s another line right there on the tip of my tongue and I want to say it, but I can’t bring myself to doso.”

I laugh. “Probably for thebest.”

“I’m sorry I came off as a dick. That’s not who Iam.”

“That’s exactly what a dick wouldsay.”

His eyes spark with interest. “You’re a tough cookie to crack, say just what’s on your mind. I likeit.”

“I like it too.” I throw him awink.

“Did you get lost in Narnia or something? What in the hell is taking solong?”

Caleb’s warmth slams into me, that now familiar scent of his wrapping around me like a blanket. His heavy hand lands on the bar just behind me, so close that I can feel his arm resting against my back. The heat seeps through my shirt, and I can already feel the beads of sweat starting to form along the back of myneck.

“It’s busy,” I tell him, spinning on my stool to facehim.

“Busy my ass. You were grabbing two beers. It doesn’t takethatlong to pop a couple topsoff.”

I reach up and poke at his drawn-together brows. “You’re so grumpy tonight. We’re supposed to be havingfun.”

“Sitting in a room full of strangers and watching them try to score with one another is not fun. It’ssad.”

There’s a choked cough from behind me and I realize I forgot all about my new friend Tony—who happens to be doing just what Calebdescribed.

“Right.” I change positions on my stool until I’m facing the bar, the boys on either side of me. Caleb’s free hand makes its way to my lower back, the other still attached to the bar, encasing me. “Tony, this is Caleb. Caleb, Tony. Benice.”

“I’m always nice.” He pushes himself off the bar and extends his hand Tony’s way. “Nice to meetyou.”

“Likewise.” Tony catches my eye. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were here withsomeone.”

“Oh, I’m not. We’re nottogether.”

“Yes we are,” Calebinterjects.

“What? No we aren’t,” I tellhim.

“Yes weare.”

“Are you insane? Weare nottogether.”

Just then the bartender slides my two beers across the counter. “Want me to start a tab,sweetheart?”

“No, but thank you.” I hand over enough to cover the drinks and a tip. “You’re buying the next round,” I tellCaleb.

I turn back to Tony, who’s staring at me with big eyes. I raise a brow at him inquestion.

“Nothing,” he says, shaking his head. “It’s nothing. I’m, uh, I’m going to go meet up with my friends. It was great meeting you, Zoe. I’m sorry to have interrupted yourdate.”

“Date? No. That is not what this is!” But he’s alreadyretreating.

I feel the rumbling of his chest before I hear his laughter, and I nearly growl infrustration.

“You just cockblockedme!”

“I did no such thing,Zoe.”

“Caleb Mills, you cockblocked me so hard I may as well be wearing a sign on my forehead that says, ‘Hey, we’re together! Stay away!’ Even though we most certainly arenottogether. Therefore, you shouldnotbe cockblocking me.Dick.”

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