“I’d love that.”
Watching her go, Kristen let her gaze drift out to the porch where Blake still stood by the grill. Even though there wasn’t anything cooking on it anymore.
A sigh of exasperation spilled from her lips, and she shook her head. He was avoiding her. Not that she could blame him. Last night had been awkward. She’d made it even more uncomfortable with the way she’d left him. Kissing him and spilling her entire lose the V plan before exiting the car.
Well, crap, it had seemed like a good idea at the time. She’d figured she’d never see him again.
And yet here they were. At the same barbecue because he was friends with James.
“You have the worst damn luck,” she muttered before going to grab a burger from the kitchen.
By the time she’d settled on the couch with a plate full of food, her stomach had settled into such knots she could barely eat. Still, she forced down a few bites.
A sharp knock on the door sounded before it swung inward.
Tori poked her head in and smiled, her gaze scanning the room. “Hello, mortals.”
The greeting suited her, not only because Tori had that gorgeous goddess thing about her but she was also a die-hard sci-fi-and-fantasy geek. Though only those who truly knew her realized that, which was why she was probably still single. All the men she attracted seemed to be the hot-jock types when she really needed a hot geek.
Proving they existed seemed to be a challenge.
Tori spotted her and made her way to the couch. She sat down beside her. “Okay, what’s the emergency?”
Kristen pursed her lips and nodded her chin toward the porch. “That.”
“What?” Tori slid her glance toward the sliding glass door while simultaneously grabbing Kristen’s burger and taking a bite.
“Him.”
“He’s got a nice ass. That’s your emergency?” Tori shrugged. “I mean, please just tell me what I’m looking at here.”
Blake turned around at that moment and stared through the glass at them.
“Whoa.” Tori swiveled her head, eyes wide.
“Yes, whoa.”
“I know what I’m looking at now. That really hot paramedic from last night.” Tori took another bite and glanced at him again. “What the hell is he doing here?”
Blake caught sight of them on the couch and narrowed his eyes. She could practically see the curse word on his lips before he shook his head in disbelief and glanced away.
“He and James were frat brothers.” Kristen’s words had that bright well isn’t this a coincidence tone. “And former roommates, apparently. How ironic, right?”
“Like, crazy ironic.” Tori gave her a sly smile. “Bet you’re glad now you didn’t tap that last night, huh?”
“So glad.” Kristen glanced back outside, watching him through her lashes.
Blake made his way into the house, and from across the room, she could see the hard line of his clenched jaw. His gaze moved deliberately to her, and her stomach did a little flip. Her pulse began to thud harder when he didn’t immediately look away.
A moment turned into forever. And then he finally cut the connection and turned to go grab a burger.
Fortunately, Tori had missed that little exchange and was busy typing something in her phone.
Kristen pressed her hand to her neck and found her pulse still fluttering.
Something surprisingly close to disappointment settled in her chest, and her eyes widened in realization. No. She shouldn’t be disappointed. And she’d repeat it a million times until she believed it.
This was about losing the V. Plain and simple. Blake was off the table, so she’d find another guy to fill the role tonight.