It would’ve worked out great if she hadn’t been half-drunk. He tried to imagine how it would have played out if they had slept together and then wound up at the same barbecue later.
A smile twitched at his lips. “If it had worked out, things would be about ten times more awkward between us right now.”
Her narrowed gaze slid to him, a mix of amusement and irritation in her eyes. “I’m not sure it can get much more awkward than you following me to a bar and telling the guy I was hitting on that I gave you chlamydia.”
“You have to admit that was creative.” He was rather proud of how easily it had done the trick.
“I’m not going to admit anything.” She crossed one leg over another, and his gaze was drawn to the flash of smooth pale thigh.
The blood in his veins surged as desire pricked hard.
Don’t think of her in that way. She is off-limits, asshole. Treat her like a second sister.
“I know you think I’m crazy to do it like this, but I had a plan. And I’m sorry, but the clock is ticking.”
If he was honest with himself, he could admit if it had been a guy planning to lose his virginity on vacation in a one-night stand, no one would be blinking. There was a huge double standard, and he was guilty of falling into it with her. Just like her brother was.
Blake clenched his jaw and tried to figure out what kind of advice to give. What he’d give to any other female friend if she were asking him.
“Maybe find a guy you hit it off with and be real with him. Just tell him you’re looking for a one-time deal and not a relationship.”
She gave him a dubious look. “And you think that would work?”
“With the right kind of guy, yeah. Hell, for some guys, it’s a straight-up fantasy.”
“Nope. That’s a myth.”
“Okay, how about this.” He caught her hand in his and met her gaze. “Let me be your wingman.”
*
Ugh.
For a minute, Kristen had thought he was changing his mind about sleeping with her. Instead, his whole pep talk had led to that?
“Excuse me?” She lifted a brow.
“Your wingman. I’ll help you pick the guy.” Blake’s sage, altruistic nod was almost comical.
“Not to be rude, but I have a wingchick.” She turned her head to glance at Tori, who had noticed Blake’s arrival and was shooting death glares his way. “She’s been doing pretty great, I think.”
Blake’s sharp burst of laughter had her frowning.
“Not if she brought you to this dive. Besides, she has school this week, right? Maybe even a job?”
Yes. But that didn’t mean much. “And you don’t?”
“I have two twenty-four-hour shifts this week, and I’m free the rest.”
Okay, she wasn’t exactly sure what that meant, but it did sound like he’d have more free time.
Hmm.
No, this was stupid to even consider. She wasn’t going to make the guy she’d tried to seduce last night her wingman today. That would just be stupid.
“Kristen, listen to me.” He leaned closer, not releasing his grasp, which only made her think about how large his hand was and what it’d feel like on other parts of her.
Stop it! He’s still talking.