Page 16 of The Right Guy
Ro strolled to the doorway and pressed a chaste kiss to her brow with the same lips that had been on mine only moments ago. That small act stung like a slap to the face.
“Don’t be mean, Fia.” His speech was edgy and ragged. I couldn’t help wondering if he was feeling the same as me—confused. “I just rescued the kid from the pool. She nearly drowned.” He nudged Fia’s elbow, ushering her away. He didn’t look back as his hand slid down to her ass.
“Ada?” Kim sighed. “Are you okay?”
Was I okay? He brought Fia to the party and kissed me.
“I want to leave now. You stay. You’ll have loads of fun without me,” I confirmed.
Kim forced the corners of her mouth down and pretended to sulk, then hauled me into a tight hug. “Stay, Ada, please.”
I wasn’t in the party spirit anymore. If I was honest, his lips distracted me. I couldn’t discuss the situation with Ro’s sister. It was a secret kiss that came across as forbidden, rather than perfect. Why would I hang around to watch Fia’s mouth cling to his? And I didn’t want to risk another splash in the pool either. The urgency to be with Theo was stronger than the desire to stay at Lux. “I’ll get changed out of these wet clothes, then I’ll visit Theo at The Reef. I’m too unsettled to stay. I won’t enjoy the party, and it will only ruin our day.” I patted down my prickled skin with the soft towel. “I need to see Theo.”
“Ada?”
Ro had kissed me, and I floated up to cloud nine until the thought of Fia tugged me back down to earth.
Iwas elatedand muddled.
Ecstatic and bewildered.
He kissed me and I wasn’t sure how I felt about it.
“I’ll be okay after I talk to Theo.”
Eight
Drunken mishaps
I hiccupped, tasting a hint of sweet cinnamon. “Um. They’re good. Can I have one more, Theo?” My head bobbed toward him as my empty shot glass swayed in the air.
“Theo—why are you looking at me like that?” The words slurred, and the seven shots of alcohol made my head whirl. “I’m celebratingthe s… spectacular Ro kiss,” I spluttered, in a raspy low mumble. It was my sloppy secret because he went to Lux with his girlfriend, and I didn’t want anyone to accuse me of stealing him. I’m sure no one cared if they were together or not because their relationship was so rocky.Regardless, the guy kissed me. He actually liked me enough to kiss me.
“My shift is over.” Theo’s mouth tightened, his expression unknown to me, unreadable. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
In what seemed like a flash, he went from facing me over the bartotight by my side. Even though I sat on a tall bar stool, my neck had to crane to peer into his ocean blue eyes. Tonight, they looked cloudy—uncertain.
“What’s wrong, big guy?” I tipped into him, pressing my palms to his broad chest. It was hard and warm, the perfect place to rest my cheek.
His fingers latched onto my biceps. “You’re drunk. I can’t take you back to the dorms on the bike. You need fresh air, so we’ll walk to my place.”
He tugged, and my body willingly responded, sliding off the stool. I attempted to stand on unsteady legs, wondering why he seemed lost and sad. His eyes took a darker shade, avoiding mine. My head lolled onto the bulge of his tautpec when he wrapped my shoulders. My eyes closed. I sighed with contentment. Nestled into him this way was my freedom and my protection.
The colored lights, clipped to the ceiling, flashed. My eyes rolled as he supported me. Groggy steps barely caught up to his long, sure strides. The warm sun had long gone, and fresh sea air dusted my skin as specs of rainwater kissed my nose.
“You’ll have tocrash at mine tonight,” he announced. That’s what we did. It was normal—our normal.
“Uh-huh,” I hummed a reply. I’d fallen asleep at his place more times than I could count. As much as I appreciated the lavish luxury of campus, I loved the homeliness and laid-back style of Theo’s beach house, even if it was along the seafront. It resembled his character, rough around the edges, simplistic and manly in décor.
Without thought, my hand drifted across his back, and my fingers linked the waistband of his jeans. Our quick pace slowed, becoming a relaxed meander.
“I’m so tired.” The murmur carried in the wind. The words sounded alien to my brain as they left my mouth.
Weightlessness surrounded me, my feet dangled, and my temple dropped to his shoulder. Theo had scooped up mydrunken,unsteady limbs and was carrying me like a gentleman. I peered at him through narrowed slits and exhaled. The silvery moon sparkled in his eyes. They were breath-taking and remarkable, almost transparent. It was only then, in the drunken depths of my mind that I realized I loved so much about my best buddy.
After a heartbeat, my lashes blinked open. Coffee. Wood. Theo. Arousing scents stirred me from a faraway doze, snuggled up under a fleecy blanket on his big couch.
“Hey!” I hitched up on my elbow, still drunk and giddy.
