I walked around the back of my car over to him. “I’m your friend, and friends don’t let their friends drive home drunk,” I said, mimicking the words from the advertisement on television about drinking and driving. I moved closer. Standing close enough that I could touch him, and boy did I want to.
“Thanks.” He looked away bashfully and my heart fluttered.
“I told you, if you need a ride to get your car in the morning, just call me,” I said, reaching out, unzipping his jacket and slipping my hand in his inside pocket, startling him. He watched intently with parted lips. I took out his phone, swiped my finger across the screen and added my name and number to his contact list. When I looked up at him again, his eyes bore into mine. I smiled, reached out again, slipping his phone back in his pocket. “There, now you have my number, and you can’t give me any excuse about why you never called.” He caught my hand as I pulled away and a sharp breath darted out of my mouth.
“Thank you.” He gave me the sweetest smile, and then kissed my hand.
I blinked nervously. “I’ll be expecting your call then.” I nodded and gently pulled my hand free. I walked backwards to the back of the car, then around the trunk to the driver’s side and got in. I didn’t know if offering my number was a good thing or not, but we were friends—at least that’s what I thought.
Yeah, we had kissed, twice, but nothing came out of it, and there was no reason we couldn’t be friends now.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
I pulled up to the Foster mansion and parked the car, turning off the ignition so that the lights weren’t beaming in the windows. God forbid his mother be woken from her beauty sleep because of me.
“No body is home,” Nick said, taking off his belt. I wasn’t sure what he was trying to say, but I didn’t ask why. “They’ve gone to Palm Beach.”
“Oh ,” I replied, not sure of what else to say.
“You won’t wake anyone up with the lights. That’s why I’m telling you.” He rubbed his palms on the thighs of his pants. “Anyway, uh—thanks again for the ride,” he said, turning to open the door.
“Night,” I said, leaning over to give him a hug. I think I caught him off guard this time. It took him a moment, then I felt his arms wrap around me, squeezing me tight. As he pulled away his face hovered close to mine. I felt my heart pound and my eyes sting as I stared into his beautiful blue eyes. Then his soft warm lips pressed against mine. He didn’t linger for long, just enough for my pulse to quicken before he pulled away.
“Night,” he whispered then got out of my car. I watched as he made his way up the cobblestone driveway to the front door.
As I pulled out of the driveway, my phone chimed. I stopped, put the car in park and checked my phone. I was hoping it was Cassie explaining her disappearing act but when I checked my texts, it wasn’t a number I recognized.
3:02 a.m. Unknown: Now you have my number.
My cheeks flushed and I smiled. When I looked up, I saw Nick standing in the driveway, he smiled and waved before turning towards the house.
3:05 a.m. Me: Yes, I do.
I added him to my contacts.
3:08 a.m. Nick: Night… 3:08 a.m. Me: Night
When I got home, I crawled into my warm, comfortable bed and immediately fell asleep.
***** The next morning I wasn ’t expecting to be woken up early. I was enj
oying the dream I was having. But my phone wouldn’t stop ringing. I rolled over, rummaged through my bag and held the phone to my ear.
“Hello,” I croaked, unable to focus on the clock in my room. “Morning , sunshine.” Nick’s voice was overly perky. My heart began to race as I remembered our kiss from last night.
“Nick? What time is it?” I gulped.
“Uh—eight,” he answered with a chuckle.
“Nick, it’s way too early.” I moaned and rolled onto my back.
“Did I wake you?” He laughed, playing with me.
“Yes,” I complained, even though I was glad to hear from him. “Why are you up already? You were drinking all night. Shouldn’t you be—oh I don’t know—hung over?”
“Exactly. So if I can be up and ready to go, so should you,” he replied. The phone became muffled and I could hear him talking to someone.
“Right, I forgot that you rich folk are professionals at parties, drinking and early mornings,” I joked.