It wasn’t like me to behave that way, and I was deeply embarrassed by the memory. Jayme was right. I’d been a while since I’d gotten intimate with a guy, and the alcohol in my system had loosened my inhibitions too much.
“I’m not proud of that,” I said truthfully.
“So, you don’t like him?”
I shrugged. Stu was conventionally attractive, but he didn’t make my heart race and my belly clench.
Jayme gave me a sly smile. “Well, you’d better make up your mind fast, because he’s on his way over here.” She pushed away from the table. “I’m going to get a drink. I’ll be back soon. Maybe. Probably not. Get it, girl.”
“Jayme,” I said sharply. She simply grinned and slipped into the crowd.
“Hey, Ashlyn. You need a drink?” I recognized Stu’s voice behind me.
I closed my eyes for a moment and took a breath before turning to face him. I managed a polite smile and raised my full cup. “I’m good,” I assured him. “But thanks.”
“Next one’s on me.” He flashed a wide, boyish grin. With his dark blond hair and forest green eyes, Stu was cute in a clean-cut, preppy way. He wore a slightly formal blue button-up shirt and boat shoes, exuding casual country-club vibes.
Preppy and entitled wasn’t my usual type, but he was undeniably charming.
“I’m glad I caught you here tonight. I’ve been wanting to ask you something,” he said, still grinning that cocky grin.
“Yeah?” I shifted on my feet, and my fingers twined together in an unconscious nervous tic. If he was about to ask me back to his place, I was going to have to deal with the awkwardness of turning him down. No matter how long it’d been since I’d slept with a guy, I wasn’t interested in casual sex.
“We’re hosting a party at the Fly clubhouse next weekend. I want you to be my date.” His chin tipped back slightly, his posture swelling with pride and a touch of haughtiness.
The Fly was one of the prestigious, exclusive final clubs at Harvard. It was kind of a big deal that Stu was a member. And it was kind of a big deal for him to invite me, especially since I didn’t really run in those circles. My introverted nature had made the vetting process for final clubs far too daunting to consider, and I’d assumed they weren’t going to be part of my Harvard experience.
It would be cool to see the inside of the clubhouse, but Stu wasn’t exactly asking me to be his date. More like he was making an announcement. Even though these parties could be infamously decadent, I wasn’t very impressed with his attitude.
“Oh,” I managed, stalling. Stu’s demeanor rubbed me the wrong way, but I really was tempted to go to the party.
His brows rose, and one corner of his mouth ticked up in a teasing smile. “Oh? Is that a yes?”
Definitely cocky. But there was a touch of uncertainty in his eyes that softened my irritation. He didn’t want to be rejected by me any more than I wanted to be rejected by Joseph. At least Stu had the guts to ask me out, unlike me when it came to making a move on Joseph.
I smiled up at him. “Sure. I’ll be your date.”
Even though I wasn’t interested in him romantically, dressing up and getting an inside look at the Fly clubhouse would be fun. And like Jayme said, I didn’t have to marry him. It was just a date, not a promise for a long-term relationship.
“But only if Jayme can come too,” I added with forced assertiveness. Not only did I need my bestie as an anxiety buffer, but she would be even more thrilled to attend the party than I was.
Stu returned my smile with a triumphant grin, and his gaze left mine to search for Jayme. When he caught sight of her, his eyes flicked up and down her body, appraising. “For sure. There’s always room on the guest list for beautiful ladies.”
I smothered a frown. I didn’t love the idea that Jayme and I might’ve been invited to the event only because the guys wanted to pack the room with women for them to ogle.
Stu’s grin turned sharp enough to make me edge away on instinct. I fought down the budding suspicion that female guests weren’t invited solely to serve as arm candy. We were fresh meat.
This is just how it is, I reminded myself. Most students were desperate to attend these parties. The members could be as selective with the guest list as they wanted. Really, I should be flattered that Stu wanted me to come as his date. And it would be comforting to have Jayme with me. It was nice of Stu to include her so easily. Wasn’t it?
He raised his beer and touched it to my cup, sealing our promised date with a celebratory “cheers.” I realized I hadn’t said anything for several seconds, so I hastily tipped my own drink back in response. He drained half his beer in a few long gulps, but I lowered mine after no more than a sip. I didn’t want to get drunk and lose control again.