Page 53 of Desperate Pucker
I loop the strap of her purse over my shoulder, annoyed at what a selfish, insecure prick her ex sounds like. “Screw him. Real men wear purses.”
She giggles. Something light flickers in my chest. I really, really like the sound of her laugh. And I like seeing her like this—her guard down, talking to me like I’m her friend.
I just wish she didn’t have to be drunk to do it.
When we walk outside, a rush of cool air hits us.
“Can you believe it’s this warm at the end of February?” Sophie says.
Dakota shivers. “It’s still so cold.”
Sam takes off his jacket and wraps it around her shoulders, then kisses her forehead. Dakota gazes at him adoringly.
“Everyone have rides home?” Sam asks. We all say yes.
Camden’s rideshare pulls up to the curb. He waves at us, then hops in.
“How’d you get here?” I ask Maddy.
“Uber.” She yawns. “Hey, can you pull my phone out of my purse and request a ride for me?”
The thought of Maddy catching a ride from a stranger this late at night when she’s this drunk makes my stomach churn.
“I’ll give you a ride.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I know.”
She sighs and looks away. I catch Sophie smiling as she looks between us before she and Xander tell us good night and head to their car.
Dakota hugs Maddy goodbye before she and Sam head home. I’m about to lead her to my car when she looks past me and gasps.
“Ooh! Hot dogs!”
She runs over to the vendor and orders a foot-long hot dog. “With extra mustard, sauerkraut, and relish, please.”
I walk over and hand him cash.
“That’s a top-tier drunk food order. Well done.”
She flashes a proud smile. The vendor hands her the hot dog. I lead her over to a bench nearby and help her sit down. She takes a massive bite of hot dog and smears mustard all over her chin.
I stare at her, fighting a smile. She looks up at me. “What?” she asks with her mouth full.
“Hang on.”
I head back to the hot dog cart to grab a napkin. When I turn back around, I see a guy standing above Maddy, a creepy grin on his face.
“I love redheads.”
She rolls her eyes as she takes another bite of hot dog.
The look in his eyes turns predatory as he smirks down at her. “I’m dying to know, babe. Does the carpet match the drapes?”
She stops chewing, a stricken look on her face. Anger roils through me as I stomp up to the guy. When he looks up and sees me, his eyes go wide.
“Uh, hey…”
