Page 40 of Love Thy Neighbor

Calvin grabs my hand again and pulls me back out onto the floor.

He puts one hand on my waist and uses the other to take long pulls off his beer.

We move to the music as best we can, but we’re completely out of sync.

Maybe it’s him, maybe it’s the booze in my system, but I’m thankful when he motions toward the bar two songs later.

I shake my head. “I’m good, but you can go grab one.”

“You’ll be here when I get back?” he asks, dragging his teeth over his bottom lip.

I bet he thinks he looks sexy, but it just looks awkward on him.

A giggle bubbles free because all I can picture is that time Cooper was making fun of my teen drama shows and all the lip-biting they do by biting his top lip instead of his bottom. He walked around doing it at the most embarrassing times for a week.

Maybe I’m tipsier than I thought.

He laughs at me giggling uncontrollably, shaking his head. “Don’t disappear on me, babe.”

Then he’s gone, pushing through the crowd toward the bar.

Babe.I try not to roll my eyes at the pet name, a sure sign he doesn’t remember my name at all.

I’m not usually one to dance unless I have a lot of alcohol in my system, but when Calvin asked and batted his amber eyes at me, I couldn’t say no.

Besides, tonight is supposed to be about trying new things, right?

Now that I’m here, I don’t want to leave.

It kind of feels nice to disappear into the crowd. Sitting on the outskirts almost feels more terrifying. I’m much more the focus of others’ attention, more approachable.

In here, it’s all limbs and rhythm and freedom.

Geez. I know I don’t drink often, but man am I feeling it tonight. How strong do they make the drinks here? Eh, whatever. I could use a night of fun.

I let myself relax into the music, swaying with the beat and getting lost in the loud bass.

Cooper was right—they do play their music too loud, but I don’t hate it. It’s distracting, and I could use a distraction right now.

Anything to help me not think about the fact that Cooper looked at me like he never has before.

And the fact that I liked it.

A lot.

Like so much I want him to look at me like that again.

Just keep dancing and keep distracting yourself. Stop thinking about Cooper. Tonight is about fun. It’s about relaxing. Tonight is about getting laid. Nothing else.Nobodyelse.

I move to the music, dancing through another song by myself, and then I start to wonder if Calvin is going to return.

I dance my way closer to the bar, trying to get a glimpse and see if I can spot him.

He’s there all right.

Lips locked tightly with someone else.

So much for that.

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