The Assignment

Shutting my eyes, I panted. “I never said I didn’t want you. I wish I didn’t want you.”

“Really? Maybe you need to get me out of your system, too, then?” He shook his head slowly. “Look, I get that this can’t really go anywhere. I’m going back to Seattle. You won’t ever genuinely trust me. We’re bad for each other. I’m Jasmine’s ex. Yada, yada.” He looked into my eyes. “But don’t you feel like you’ll always wonder…what if? What if we let nature take its course, just once? For a long time now, I haven’t been able to think of any woman but you. I feel like it’s an itch only you can scratch. If we’re both curious, if we’re both adults, then why the fuck are we fighting it so hard?” A long moment of silence passed. “I’m gonna ask you one more time. Do you want me to go home with her…or with you?”

My phone vibrated, and for a split second I thought it was the sound of my heart shooting out of my chest.

I looked down at it.

Shala: Are you okay?

Shit.

How long had I been out here with him? I had no damn concept of time.

Feeling like I was about to overheat, I made a rash decision. “My friend is worried. I need to go back to my table. You should do the same. Goodnight.”

With lightning speed, I ran off, nearly crashing into a wall as I turned the corner in a haze.

Back at the table, a look of concern crossed Shala’s face. “Everything okay? I thought maybe you passed out or something.”

“Yup.” I grabbed a water and downed the entire thing in one long gulp. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “Everything is fine.”

She sighed, looking down at her phone. “I actually have to get going. It’s later than I told Felix I’d be home.”

Tucking a piece of hair behind my ear, I nodded. “Okay, yeah. Thank you for coming out tonight. This was so much fun.” Until I turned into a hot mess.

She stood up from her chair. “I’ll see you Monday. Be careful getting home, okay?”

“I will.” I nodded. “You be careful, too.”

When Shala left, I noticed Troy return to his table. Soon after, he and Casey both got up. With his hand at the small of her back, they walked toward the exit together before eventually disappearing out the door.

I felt nauseous. Well, ain’t that a bitch. I guess he was serious when he threatened to go home with her.

Asshole. I didn’t know if I was swearing at him or myself.

Damn it, this stung. He’d riled me up, and now he was going back to her place to take my rejection out on her. Would he fuck that woman just to spite me after the best kiss of my life? If that’s the case, it’s just more proof that he’s nothing but bad news.

I grabbed my phone and scrolled to the app for a ride home.

After I took a few minutes to cool down with another glass of water, I got up and walked outside to wait for my ride.

As soon as the cool night air hit my face, a voice startled me.

“Boo.”

I looked to my left to find Troy leaning against the building.

He was alone.

I clutched my chest. “You scared me.”

“You didn’t think I was really gonna go home with her, did you?” He took a few steps toward me. “I know you like to call me Whoreannosaurus, but even I don’t go home with women I’ve only known for a matter of minutes.” He was inches away now. “Besides, how could I even think of anyone else after the kiss we had?”

My heart fluttered.

“Cancel the car, if you called one,” he said. “I’m taking you home. And no, you don’t have to let me into your house—unless you want to. It’s just a ride home, Aspyn. No expectations, despite what I said when I was all worked up in there.”

“Can you even drive?” I asked. “I saw you drinking.”

“When I met Eric earlier, I wasn’t expecting to stay as long as I did. I stopped at two beers because I brought my car. I nursed the last one. I promise I’m sober. I wouldn’t put you in danger.” He paused. “That goes for more than just driving.”

“Well, you’ve already been in one car accident since I’ve known you.”

“Yeah. But that was your fault.”

“My fault?”

“I saw you with that guy and got distracted.”

“That was why you crashed your car? Because you spotted me? I didn’t know that.”

“Yep. See? That wasn’t easy to admit. But I’ve already thrown balls to the wall tonight with you, so what’s one more thing?”

Taking out my phone, I scrolled down to cancel my ride as my body buzzed.

Troy and I walked together in silence to the area where he’d parked his car. He opened the passenger door for me, and I got into his Range Rover, which was, per usual, the epicenter of his intoxicating scent.