Page 15 of Say It Again
Aaron tipped his chin at another driver, who went out of her way to let him cut in front, because mountains moved when he wanted them to. “Isn’t that what parties are for?”
“Well.” Daniel blinked. He was suddenly flooded with the memories of that one party where he kissed two separate fraternity brothers, both named Jordie. “I guess so, yeah. Unless you’re with someone, of course. You’re not with him or anything… right?”
Aaron winced as he sped through a yellow light, then chuckled. “Who?”
“The other guy you kissed at the party.” Obviously. “The British one.”
“Ahh. Corey.”
“Okay, Corey. So is this someone you’re dating? Seeing?” He chewed his lip. “Very serious about?”
Aaron’s startled eyes zipped to his. “Am I dating Corey?”
Daniel squinted. This conversation seemed disorderly.
“No. No, I’m not dating Cor—” He couldn’t even get through that sentence without laughing. “Holy shit, no. Can you imagine? Wow, that’s funny.”
“Yeah, hilarious!” Daniel forced a laugh, then quickly swallowed. “So, then. A friend?”
“A friend? Let’s see.” Aaron pulled into an empty spot on the street corner next to a brick building with the word Nektär printed on the windows. He slid the car into Park and rubbed his lips as he gazed at the dashboard. “Professionally, I’ve known Corey four or five years now, and yeah, I might call him a friend even if he is a pain in my ass. But I’m not dating anyone, sweetheart.” Blue ice flashed tenderly, full-hearted. “Actually, this is the first real date I’ve had in a long time.”
Daniel slowly nodded his understanding. As someone who’d blurred his fair share of boundaries in the past—usually to the detriment of the friendship or, that one time, his Uber rating when he never called the guy back—it wasn’t like he had much room to judge.
“Plus”—Aaron grinned as he fixed his gaze on his lips—“Corey’s not really my type.”
Daniel got all smiley and flustered. If he had longer hair, he’d have twirled it around his finger. “What’s your type, mister? I can’t wait to hear. Is it someone who dazzles?”
“Redheads.”
Daniel frowned.
Aaron chuckled as his pink tongue slid between his pretty teeth. “Joking. I mean, I do like redheads, but you know what I prefer? Ballet dancers.” His pink tongue then wet his lips, and oh, who could stay mad? “Sweet, funny, sexy little ballet dancers.”
Daniel batted his lashes. “Who dazzle?”
Aaron nodded and crinkled his nose as he began to lean in. “Who fucking dazzle.”
Oh hell yes, this was happening. This was happening so hard as Daniel parted his lips, hooded his eyes, and prepared to be kissed—to be taken, actually. Like a willing fucking casualty. Just like at the party.
Aaron leaned in until their lips grazed and whispered into his mouth, “I just need to grab my wallet.”
Daniel’s whimpering protest squeaked like a dog toy as Aaron fished his wallet from his seat back.
“I think you would’ve let me take it further than a kiss.” Aaron’s nose nuzzled his. “But isn’t it kind of fun to wait?”
Daniel vigorously shook his head. “Yes, of course.”
Aaron chuckled and flung his car door open. “Come on. Don’t want to be late.”
As he popped from the car, Daniel stuck his tongue out at the back of Aaron’s head, because he was a grown-up. “So this is the surprise? What is this place?”
“Oh, you’ve never been here?” Aaron almost looked mischievous as he held the door open. “I’m in utter disbelief.”
“Welcome!” said a woman’s bubbly voice as they stepped inside, and judging by the walls of cocktail glasses, tinctures, and stainless-steel gadgets, it became very clear what kind of establishment this was. “I’m Kara. Are you perhaps Aaron? The one who booked the private bartending class?”
Daniel blurted out a laugh.
“Yes, and this is Daniel.” Aaron shook her hand. “He has a specialty cocktail he’d love for you to taste, just to get your professional opinion.”