I laugh at the seriousness of his tone. Like my answer to his question will solve world peace. “That’s the smartest thing to ever come out of your mouth,” I joke. “Agreed.”
“Thank fuck,” he sighs, running a hand down his face again. This is really messing with him, and I love it. I can’t stop myself from laughing.
“Stop laughing. I’m really not coping here. I think I need you to hold me,” he says, staring me down with puppy dog eyes.
“Shut up; no, you don’t.”
“I really do. I think you owe me.”
Rolling my eyes, I move up onto my knees to offer him a consolation pat on the back. “I don’t see your logic, so here is my offer of comfort.” I pat him twice, thinking that will suffice, before moving back to my cushion. Dylan doesn’t accept my generous support, and instead, grips my hand and pulls me across the couch until I’m awkwardly sitting on his lap. Before I can protest, he wraps his arms around me and buries his face in my neck, hugging me tightly to his chest. The shock of it stalls my reaction, and when my mind catches up, I burst into laughter again and pat his head. “There, there.”
“I’m so overwhelmed,” he says solemnly, but I can hear the smile in his voice.
I shake my head at his antics and pull back to look in his beautiful piercing blue eyes. We both stare at each other for a moment before Dylan’s hand reaches to my face and pushes a lock of hair behind my ear. When he looks down at my lips and then back up to my eyes, I desperately want him to kiss me. More than I need anything else. I move my lips closer to his, hoping he’ll take the hint, but the front door flies open with a bang, causing us both to jump. “Fuuck!” Dylan curses under his breath as I jump off his lap faster than light, then stand awkwardly in front of him.
Joel takes in the scene and raises an eyebrow in question. Before I can answer him, he speaks. “Oh fuck, I forgot to text you. Delilah canceled again. What’s happening here?”
I ignore his question because I don’t have an answer. Instead, I throw the awkward questioning back on him. “Delilah? Your ex? I thought you said something about Julia?”
“Julia’s her friend. They were both supposed to come.” He shrugs.
I’m confused and embarrassed, but also a little concerned at the heartbroken look on his face. I put my issues aside and offer comfort. Walking forward, I place my hands on his shoulder and squeeze. “I’m sorry, Joel. One day she’ll realize how amazing you are, but don’t wait around. Anyone would be lucky to have you.” I kiss him on the cheek and head for the door.
“Where are you going?” Joel and Dylan ask at the same time, and I realize that’s the first thing Dylan’s said since Joel arrived.
I scrunch up my nose and shrug apologetically. “Sorry, I’ve got to go. I have tons of studying to do. So, if you no longer need me…” I don’t bother finishing my sentence or letting either of them respond. I give them a quick wave and depart, completely aware that I just made a mountain out of a molehill. I just had to get away.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Dylan
First,I’mthrownbySummer turning up when I’d just been thinking about her in the shower.Lucky she wasn’t a minute earlier.Then there was Joel’s bullshit timing. I swear someone’s out to mess with me. I hadn’t planned for my joke hug to turn into anything, but when Summer’s eyes locked with mine, I saw some of the heat return. And that, paired with her reaction to seeing me in a towel, confirmed things for me.She feels the same.
I’m going to woo her. As corny as that sounds, it’s the truth. I’m going to take my time and win her over. I’m going to do everything properly, and I’m not going to stop until she’s mine. Being friends is not enough. Not after our last kiss. The flirting I could handle. I’d even been able to force myself back into the friend zone after the time I kissed her in her doorway. But afterthatkiss in the bar,with her body pressed against mine and her moans forever ingrained in my mind—not possible. Not now that I know she wants me. She just needs a little help to realize it.
With that in mind, I send her a text before she’s even left our front yard.
Me: Sorry you had to rush off. Want to take a drive with me tomorrow, after class?
I sit by my phone like a lovesick puppy for too long before I realize she’s not replying. Finally moving from the couch, I find Joel in the kitchen and grab my keys from the bench. “I’m heading out for a beer. You in?”
Since Delilah didn’t show, there’s a good chance he’ll want to drown his sorrows. Joel empties the contents of his glass down the sink and grabs his wallet. “Let’s go,” he says and walks to the front door. As he crosses the threshold, he looks back and shakes his head at me, laughing. Damn, looks like we’ll be talking about me, not him.
Two hours and five beers later, I’m over my self-imposed limit again. We haven’t spoken about Summer or Delilah, but I feel it coming. Joel is absolutely going to ask about Summer. I knew it the second he laughed at me when we were leaving. I mean, Summer practically sprinted from the house without warning. He knows something happened. It was pretty obvious.
As though my thoughts have mixed with hers, Summer chooses this moment to reply.
Summer: Where to?
That’s not a no. I’m off to a good start.
Me: There’s a film festival running in the city. I thought we could grab dinner and check out a thriller.
Okay, so today may have been the first time I’ve actually tried to woo her, but the truth is, I’ve been thinking of cool places to take Summer since I met her. This is just the first time I’ve proceeded with a plan.
Summer: Oh, so a lengthy drive? It sounds like a lot of fun, but I’ve got a few assignments due back. I’m going to have my head in the books all week. I’m sorry, Dyl.
Damn. Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned dinner. That probably made it sound like a date.Well,if it walks like a duck and sounds like a duck…