Page 58 of Love Unexpected
“Go? Oh no! Should we get you some ginger ale?” she asks and I roll my eyes.
“You do know I’m not twenty-one right? I really shouldn’t be here and I’m not really comfortable anyway.”
“Oh of course, honey. I’m sorry, what was I thinking?” She turns to Dominic. “I assume you have to go too?”
“I’m certainly not going to send her home alone.”
“Well, she is eighteen.” She giggles. “Seth says you’ll be in college in a few months. You’ll have to get used to getting yourself home on the regular.” She rubs my shoulder and gives me a smile as the condescension drips from her voice.
“Well, that day is not today,” Dominic tells her.
“Right.” She nods. “Well…ummm…look…” She looks at me and then at Dominic. “Before you go, can I talk to you for just a second?” I shoot her a confused look that is probably bitchier than anything and she turns back to Dominic who doesn’t make a move either. “Right, guess not. Okay, well, I just feel bad that we didn’t get to talk more and I wanted to see if you wanted to get a drink sometime?” I can tell now that she’s probably had a bit to drink which is probably making her more bold than usual. Or maybe she’s not used to rejection and just feels confident enough to ask men out.
If I weren’t so annoyed, I might be impressed.
“That’s so nice of you, Dana, but my wife just passed away, and I’m not ready for any of that right now.” Even though I’m trying not to fully process his words, his voice is even and kind as he lets her down.
“Oh my gosh.” She shakes her head. “I am so sorry.” She pulls a card out of her purse and hands it to him. “Just take my number anyway, in case you ever want to talk.” She slides it into his hand. “I hope you feel better, Stassia.” She smiles at me before heading past us towards the bathroom.
I don’t even have a chance to ask Dominic what we are doing when I’m being pulled out of the bar and back into the night air.
“Wait…”
“No. I want to be back in the car before she tells them we’re gone.” He pulls out his phone and rolls his eyes. “Seth is already asking where we are.”
“What are you saying?”
“Not replying yet.”
“Why?”
“Because I need to fuck you first.”
“Okay, I’m not arguing with that,” I say as he picks up the pace and I have to increase my steps to keep up with his long strides. “But what if he shows up at the car once Dana says we left?”
“We are going to park somewhere else.”
“But—” I start to refute his logic when he stops and stares at me.
“Stassia, stop fucking arguing with me.” I frown at his tone and he lets out a sigh. “I’ve got this, okay? Do you trust me?”
“Not to get us caught? Not in this moment, no.” I shake my head. “You’re thinking with your dick and it’s a bad idea.”
“Fuck,” he says as he slows his strides as we turn the corner that his car is parked on. “I know. You’re right.”
“And how didthosewords taste?” I giggle, throwing his words back at him.
He’s silent for a moment as we continue walking when he picks up the phone. “Hey, Seth.” He puts it on speaker so I can hear it as well.
“Where did you go? Dana said Stass wasn’t feeling well and you’re going home? Damn, you were just going to leave me?” There’s no noise in the background, so I wonder if he stepped outside to call him.
“First of all, you know how to use the Uber app and you know my address. I wasn’t even sure you were coming home with us tonight at all. Secondly, we were just going to get some air. It was incredibly hot and crowded in that bar and Stassi isn’t used to that environment. Once I figured out if we definitely needed to leave the city and head home I was going to call you to see if you were coming with us.” The lies are seamless and I clap my hands quietly in praise. He winks at me in response.
“Damn, well I don’t know if I’m going to Rachel’s; I may just want to come home with you guys.”
“Youdon’t want to get laid?”
“I mean obviously, but I don’t know, I’m not really feeling her anymore. Dana’s actually more my type.”