"I barely know you and I still know that's bullshit."
"I'm not. I'm not happy but I'm… It's hard to explain."
He raises a brow. "Don't think you have to explain your intentions in that outfit."
I shrug like I wear this every Halloween.
He scans the crowd. I can’t make out the expression on his face. Drew is unreadable.
"I meant what I said about Miles—I'll kick his ass if he hurts you."
"That seems extreme."
"I've been around extreme too long to notice."
"Can I ask you something?"
He nods. "Fair is fair."
"Do you want to be with Kara? As her boyfriend?"
He holds a poker face. "Kara's amazing. She smart, funny, sweet. I'd have to be blind not to realize she's fucking gorgeous. But I'm not about to throw away what I have with Kara for a relationship that's doomed to fail."
"What if it's not doomed to fail?"
"Not worth the risk."
A month ago, I'd have nodded in agreement. Relationships suck. They always fail. Look at Rosie and Jared.
But right now I'm not sure I agree. Miles and I share something special, an understanding, an intimacy. I've never felt that way with anyone before.
It's tearing me up inside, how much I want him. But it feels good when I have him. Being with him feels better than anything else ever has.
Okay. My heart refuses to accept that this is casual. At least I'm aware of its failings.
Something catches Drew's eye. It's Kara. She's dressed as a mermaid. Her teal figure-hugging dress has a scale pattern. Sequins adorn the sweetheart neckline, emphasizing her large breasts. The dress flares at the knee, creating a proper mermaid tail. With her long, dark hair hanging over her shoulders, she has the whole mermaid sex goddess thing on lock.
Drew pants like a dog. It takes him a full minute to catch his breath.
He nods a goodbye, all cool like he isn't thinking about throwing Kara on his bed and using the handcuffs attached to his belt to keep her there.
"Let me know if you need a ride." He lowers his voice. "There are condoms in all the bathrooms. Just don't fuck in my room."
"I'm not going to—"
He raises a brow, incredulous. "I'll keep this conversation between us."
"Thank you."
"None of my business." He makes his way to Kara.
Who does the guy think he's kidding? His reaction is exactly the one I'm trying to inspire in Miles. There's no way Drew and Kara are going to be able to resist each other for long. Not with the way they keep teasing each other.
I hang out by the beverage table, nursing a tall glass of grapefruit juice.
Tom interrupts my peace. "All the couples in like costumes have to dance together."
"What are you talking about?"