Page 29 of The Right Guy
“Later, Ada,” he repeated with a husky, broken rasp.
His arms curled across his chest, and he glowered. I’m sure he didn't mean for it to be super-hot and sexy, but it was. Dark, agitated strands toppled around his face in disarray, all messy and wavy. Plump lips glistened with a silky soft redness, so divine and tempting. How did I not see the signs or acknowledge how everything he did was fucking fantastic?
It wasn’t the right time to tell him, not while he had company. It needed to be just us, alone, like it always was.
“Fine. I’ll swing by your place this evening.” I turned to leave. “By the way, Theo, you can fuck all the girls in town, but maybe you’ve already found the right one.”
“Right, Ada. Like Ro fucking Huxley is the right one for you. What a catch.”
I glanced back at him. There was no smile cracking his tight features or supportive wink. He just glared. Forehead creased. Lips pouted. Body language hostile.
Thirteen
Fairytales & Reality
The infamous ball was a short week away. Campus was buzzing with scandalous dresses and excited gossip about who was taking who. There was even news of a designer dress competition. I held zero interest in the details, or attending the ball, dateless, without Theo.
It was the biggest event of the fall calendar. While the girls scheduled hair and makeup appointments, I wandered from class to class like a lost soul.
I’d gone to his beach house countless times, but he was never there. In the evenings, I worked at the bar hoping to bump into him. He’d become a ghost, working during the day while I was studying and busy with‘other things’ in the evenings. The guy was trying his best to avoid me, and it worked.
I’d had enough of his heartlessness. We were friends, and friends didn’t brush each other off.
I’m his real princess.
We deserve the fairytale.
I’m the mistress of my own destiny, and Theo is my fate.
Luckily, I swapped my shift at the last minute. The bar was heaving with drunken students, ordering the fruity cocktails with extra tequila. It was so busy that Theo served drinks instead of skulking in the office.
“I’m surprised you remember how to make cocktails, Theo?” I handed him the Patrón.
“It’s like riding a bike.” He winked like old times, and a shiver rocketed over me. The burst of nerves or thrills, whatever they were, forced an odd giggle to bubble.
I pocketed my hand in my jeans and released a controlled breath. “Or like riding the customers? What's the grand total now?” I countered, still torn up.
His hefty torso twisted into me, sending an outbreak of those damn chills from the crown of my head to the tips of my toes. Ocean blue eyes sparkled with mischief, and the scruff on his jaw twitched. “Ada.” That’s all he said. Just my name. The sultry tone and husky rasp seemed sexier than before.“I miss—” His eyes cut away, and he flipped the tequila bottle upside down.
“You’re not allowed to go.” I moved closer so he could hear me over the music.
A light murmur left his lips and he fondled the curls dangling at my cheeks. “I have to go. I need a change.”
That gentle caress was just like old times. The twinge in my heart quadrupled “Is there something I can do to make you stay?”
His fingers fell away. “What do you want from me, Ada?”
“I’M GOING TO DIEOF THIRST OVER HERE!” yelled a ginger-haired guy, waving his arms like he needed rescuing.
Theo turned away and snagged another glass, ready to serve, at the same time as my hand shot out and cuffed his wrist. I rose to the balls of my feet. “Be my date for the ball, Theo.” My lashes batted, and my voice trembled with anticipation. “Please.”
His eyes cut to my hand, then drifted back to my pleading gaze. “My leaving party is the same night as the ball, Ada. I can’t let everyone down.”
“You’re joking?” I hissed.
“No,” he replied without remorse.
“Theo. I’ve never asked you to do anything for me, but I’m asking you now. Please accompany me to theball,as my date,” I pleaded.
