Page 63 of In Your Wildest Dreams
“It’s only complicated if you make it that way. She’s home tonight. Call her now.” He turns to face me. “Unless there’s some other reason you haven’t called.”
Slowly, his gaze roams around the room and lands on Bridget.
“Fuck you.”
He chuckles. “Thinking of blowing up your career and making a move?”
The reminder of what’s at risk has me gripping the can in my hand a little tighter. “No.”
Both of his dark brows rise like he isn’t buying it.
“No,” I repeat with more force. “But she reminds me of what it could feel like. Excited, hopeful, a little crazed but in a good way, you know? When’s the last time you felt that way about someone? Do you feel that with Meredith?”
“Insane? You’re asking me if I feel insane when I’m with Meredith?” He shoots me a disbelieving look then shakes his head.
“In a good way,” I emphasize again.
“Feeling insane is a good thing?”
“Yeah. It’s like everything inside of you is on fire and at the same time you’re so aware of every thrum of your pulse in a way that you usually don’t notice.”
“Yousoundcrazy, I’ll give you that. Whatever floats your boat. Just make sure Gabe doesn’t find out.”
“She’s not interested anyway, so it doesn’t matter.”
“You sure about that?”
When I look over to where she’s dancing with Everly and Grace, she’s staring this way. A hint of a smile pulls up her gorgeous lips and then she looks away.
Jack claps me on the shoulder. “I’m out of here. I’ll see you in the morning. And uh, try to get the crazy out of your system before then.”
Jack heads out and I linger back a few minutes longer. Get her out of my system? I don’t think that’s possible. Not sure I even want to. I’ve dated enough to know that what I feel for her isn’t common. If there’s a chance that she feels it too, then I don’t want to ignore whatever this is between us. We can figure out the shit with Gabe if it gets to that point, right? He’s an asshole but it isn’t like they’re together anymore.
Slowly, I make my way across the room toward her.
Everly is hanging on Grace, nearly taking her friend down. Maybe I should have given her that lecture on drinking after all.
“I think it’s time for some water,” Grace says.
“Ash!” Everly lights up when she sees me, then frowns adorably. “Why aren’t you out here dancing with us?”
“I’m here now.”
“Grace is making me take a break.” She glares playfully at her best friend.
“Seems like a good idea.”
“I’m fine,” she insists, then stumbles.
I step up on the other side to steady her. “You all right, Little Sharpie?”
“Totes fine.” She shrugs away from me. “Stay here and keep Bridget company.”
“I’m coming with you,” Bridget says.
Everly, not so discreetly, looks between us, but whatever she wants to say, she refrains. The four of us go upstairs. I get Ev water and Grace makes her a plate of food.
“I wonder if we should get her home,” Bridget says quietly, where only I can hear.
