Page 14 of Tongue-Tied
“No, I don’t. Any guy would be lucky to date you.”
“That’s what I told him,” Kael says, and my chest clenches. It’s nice to have supportive friends.
Some strange emotion flits through Dex’s eyes, and I wonder what that’s about. Is it because I have a new friend in Kael? Isn’t that what he’s always hoped for me? Confusing.
“Where’s Angelica?” Dex asks Kael.
“She had to bow out—stomach bug. She lent me her flower.”
“Bummer about her being sick. But glad you were able to come.” Dex smiles. “Come on. I’ll show you around.”
We follow him into the dining room, where the food and drinks are set up on the long table. I have trouble making eye contact with the people I pass, but how else will I know if the guy shows? With my luck, he’ll bring his girlfriend or maybe a boyfriend. No way he comes alone—or at all, for that matter. I need to stop obsessing.
I point to a large bowl on a side table, surrounded by cups. “What’s that red stuff?”
“Punch.” Dex winks. “You might like it.”
“Maybe it’ll help me relax.”
He uses the ladle to pour the concoction into three cups. We say cheers and start sipping. I wince when it burns going down. “This is strong.”
Dex chuckles. “You’ve always been a lightweight.”
We move from room to room as Dex introduces me to a couple of housemates I haven’t officially met yet. Bruce seems nice, and Carson is a bit too smug for my taste, but my stomach still tightens with jealousy that he has these people to lean on now instead of me.
“You okay?” Dex asks, likely noticing the warring emotions on my face.
I deflect. “You know I’m not good in social situations.”
“You’re doing fine.” He playfully elbows me. “And that’s not always true. Only when you’re too self-aware.”
I nod, marveling at how well he knows me.
Two gorgeous guys walk by hand in hand, and Dex greets them.
“Wait, why do they look familiar?”
“Perry works at Shenanigans,” Dex replies, “and Theo is his boyfriend.”
“Oh yeah. Isn’t Perry…”
“Ty’s brother? Yeah.”
“Damn, they have good genes.”
Milo steps up with another guy with blond hair to his chin. Craig, if I remember correctly.
“Hey,” Milo says, smiling at us.
I smile back, feeling grateful it’s someone I’ve actually interacted with.
Craig stares at me. “You’re the guy in the photo.”
I look at Dex. “What photo?”
“The framed one I have of us from that time on Mission Beach.”
“Oh yeah.” He had it displayed in our dorm, so I’m pleasantly surprised he does here too.