Since I’m a glutton for punishment, I find myself typing up a message because I want her here, right now. Though I’ve restrained from texting her after our amazing night together, the tequila is encouraging me to do it.
Mason: Whatcha doin’ tonight? Come meet me at the bar.
The text bubble pops up, and it makes me smile. I’m sure she’s going to tell me to fuck off or throw it back at me that we’re just friends.
Sophie: No thanks. Not looking for a repeat of the first night we met.
Mason: But you have to admit it was pretty unforgettable. ;)
She sends me an eye roll emoji, and I find myself reliving those moments with her in the bathroom bar. Fuck, it was one of the hottest moments of my life.
Sophie: Error 404. Contact not found.
Mason: That’s for websites, so nice try.
Sophie: Whatever. Go away.
Mason: Oh, come on. I’ll buy you a drink.
Sophie: Isn’t that what got us into this mess in the first place? Also, I’d prefer not to watch you flirt with every chick in the bar, you know, because you’re not “relationship material.”
I laugh because the only person I’m talking to right now is her. She’s the only woman I’ve talked to all week.
Mason: I’ll buy you two drinks then since, you know, you said it took more than one drink to seduce you ;)
Sophie: I must’ve blacked out during our first conversation.
Mason: Trust me, you were very alert…checking out every inch of me.
Sophie: How much have you had to drink?
Thinking about it, I honestly can’t remember. A fucking lot.
Mason: Too many? Maybe I need you to be my designated driver. :(
Knowing how motherly she is, I chuckle. If anything will get her here, it’s that. She’s too caring to ignore me, but we’ll see.
My bladder is full, so I stand and tuck my phone in my pocket. I stumble on my way to the bathroom, bumping into shit. On the way back, I cut across the dance floor, which ends up being a huge mistake. I get knocked around like a ping pong ball and find myself laughing over the hilarity of it. There are so many people in here, I might never make it back to order another drink.
I run into Hunter who’s dancing close with some redhead.
“Lost?” He snickers.
Shaking my head, I flip him off and squeeze between bodies until I force myself to the other side of the bar. When I make it back, I plop down on my stool, and after I order another beer, a woman slides in the seat right next to me. The smell of her sweet perfume has me turning my head, and when I see Sophie, my eyes go wide.
“You came,” I say, grinning.
She narrows her eyes at me. “Only because you pulled the DD card.”
“I know you so well,” I say, the alcohol swimming through my bloodstream, giving me way too much courage.
“You wish you did,” she retorts with a smile. “Ready to go home? By the way your eyes are crossing, I think you’ve had enough to drink.”
I nod, just wanting to be alone with her without having to strain to hear her over the music. Standing, I nearly fall over, and luckily, she catches me. Our faces are so damn close that I can smell the peppermint on her breath.
“Sorry,” I softly say.
She grins and wraps her arm around my waist. “Yep, you’re so done. Where’s Liam?”
I shrug, playing dumb because I’m sure she’d ream his ass, but we’re all three sheets to the wind at this point. She shakes her head at me but doesn’t let me go. On the way out, we pass Hunter and Liam dancing with two girls, and they give me shit as Sophie explains she’s taking me home. As expected, she gives them a stern talking-to about drinking too much, which only makes them laugh their asses off.
“Don’t puke in her car.” Liam cackles, and I flip him off. Sophie holds me tight as I wobble beside her.
“Okay, okay. Time to go,” she says, pulling me away from them. When we walk outside, the warm summer breeze blows through her dark hair, and I can smell her sweet shampoo.
“You smell so pretty,” I slur.
She giggles. “You’re so drunk. It’s hilarious.”
When we get to her car, she unlocks the door and helps me inside, buckling me up like a little kid. She reaches over me, and I’m tempted to taste her lips again. It’s been so long, but it’s something I’ve never forgotten. Our eyes meet, and her breath hitches. I swallow hard, and she pulls away, shutting the door and walking around to the driver’s side.
“You’re too good to me. I don’t deserve this. I don’t deserve you,” I mutter.
After she cranks the car, Sophie looks over at me. “You might one day…when you grow up.”