Page 123 of Built to Fall
But is she also including everything else that happened? Me kissing her and offering to give her the type of pleasure she’s never experienced?
“Anytime,” I tell her. “You don’t even have to thank me.”
I think she might say something else—might cross that space between us one more time. But she nods, eyes soft, and finally steps fully inside.
“Let me know if you can’t sleep tonight, alright?”
“I might end up in your bed tonight,” she says it like a joke, even though we both know the truth behind it.
“You know you’re always welcome.” I prefer that anyway.
Lina gives me one last look before her lips upturn and she lets the door click shut between us. I stare at it for a moment, like maybe if I wait long enough, she’ll open it again and pull me back inside.
She doesn’t.
At least as I walk down the hall toward my unit, I have a good feeling I’ll be seeing her around bedtime.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
LINA
Within minutes of me walking back into the apartment, I’m ushered out again.
Kara, Eden, and Meredith were all ready to leave, saying something about going downtown to get champagne for the ball drop later tonight.
The only thing I had time to do was set my bags down in my bedroom. Then, Eden forced me back into my shoes and pulled me out of the apartment.
Somehow we ended up riding in Braxton’s BMW because Meredith has the spare key and is allowed to borrow it whenever she wants. Eden couldn’t pass up the opportunity to ride it in—despite all of our own cars being equally as nice.
Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I rode in a car that wasn’t with Grant. Normally when we’re going downtown, we walk. But today the Connecticut cold has something to prove, and none of us are willing to put up with it.
“What kind of champagne are we getting?” I ask as I step out of the backseat of the car, pulling my Columbia coat tighter around me.
“Who gives a shit? I’m getting drunk,” Kara says, and I’m sure if any bystanders heard, they’d be concerned. We’ve grown accustomed to it.
Eden is quick to hold up her gloved hands. “Woah, woah, woah. I refuse to stand forbadchampagne.”
“Is there such a thing?” Meredith asks.
“Not sure.” Usually, if I’m drinking, it’s because I want to get drunk—or at least tipsy. Champagne is not something I usually gravitate to for that.
We walk into the nearest liquor store, the bell above the door ringing as Meredith curses, causing all of us to turn back.
The hem of her oversized cardigan is somehow wrapped around the handle, but the three of us quickly get her disentangled before continuing toward the champagne section.
Technically, Kara and I are not twenty-one yet, contrary to what our fake IDs say, but Eden and Meredith are, which makes this process much easier.
Kara grabs what feels like the first bottle she sees, handing it to Meredith before stepping back in line with me, where I wait behind Eden. “So, how was your time in Martha’s Vineyard?”
“Good,” I say noncommittally. “We had fun.”
“Whatkindof fun?” Eden immediately presses.
“Well,” I pretend to draw out. “Last night I asked him why he had sex with so many girls, which turned into him describing how helovesgiving girls earth-shattering orgasms. I told him I’d never had one, then later that night, he kissed me. When I asked him if he thought he could give me an orgasm, he said the offer was open whenever I wanted.” I let out a long breath once I’m finished putting the events in the simplest form possible.
The three of them all turn and look at me like I’ve grown a second head.
“I’m sorry.” Kara pauses. “What?”
