Page 17 of Reckless
Her lips roll together as she contemplates for several seconds. “But you don’t even know me.”
“Don’t have to know a person to be nice to them.”
The woman seems genuinely confused. “Is this some stupid karma shit?”
“No, it’s entirely self-serving. I have this thing where if I’m shitty to someone, it eats me up inside. So, if I’m just nice, it makes me happy. Being negative is exhausting, ya know? And I don’t have time to nap.”
“Weird.”
My head quirks. “Is it? You seem tired, Winter.”
“I am.”
“Try it then.”
“Try what?”
“Doing something nice. Try it on for size. If you hate it, you can be mean to me again and I’ll let you.”
Her eyes roll, but I can see her biting at the inside of her cheeks like she’s mulling it over. “Okay,” she finally says on a deep exhale. “Theo, can I buy you a drink to thank you for helping me get back here safely?”
“Depends.” I scrub at my chin like I’m turning this offer over carefully, even though I already know I’m going to take it. There’s something different about Winter, and I’m not ready to say goodbye. There’s a draw I can’t explain.
With any other woman I would probably take one look and thinktoo much work,but I’m eager to get to know her better. To figure out what’s underneath that icy exterior. “Are we drinking more wine?”
Maybe I just feel bad for her, and I’m being extra nice, in the spirit of Christmas or whatever. But I’m drawn to her, and not just because she’s beautiful.
“No. I think it’s more of a tequila kind of night,” she replies, surprising me as I start toward her, inexplicably pulled closer.
“Whatever you want,” I say as I come near enough to reach out and touch her cheek. Would she flinch? Or lean into it? I don’t get a chance to find out because she turns away toward the hotel lobby.
And this time I don’t hesitate to touch her. I press my hand against the small of her back as I usher her through the front door and toward the bar.
Tequila is not my friend.
But for this girl, I’ll make an exception.
5
Winter
Marina: I just spoke to Rob.
Winter:Oh, good. I love that he opted to air our marital issues to my mother.
Marina: You can’t seriously be thinking about leaving him.
Winter: After what he’s done? Yeah, I am.
Marina: I doubt you’ll do better. I would tough it out.
Winter: Yeah, I know you would. I got to grow up in that household.
Marina: If you leave him over that mongrel sister of yours, you’re just letting her win.
* * *
“My mom is a massive, unforgivable bitch. That’s where I get it from.” I rest the side of my face into my hand, elbow propped on the table. “It’s hereditary. That’s why Summer is so nice. Her mom, Sofia, was the best. I don’t remember her that well, but I remember her being fun. I remember her smiling a lot. Deep down, I can’t blame my dad for fucking the nanny.”
