“He’s trash, Ally. You deserve more.”
I shrug. “He’s comfortable.”
“So? You’re better than this. Don’t settle for trash because you’re lonely.”
“Wow. That’s rude,” I say, furrowing my brows. “I am just fine alone.”
“Whatever. You’re lonely. And I’m telling you, running back to a toxic relationship won’t fix that.”
I look down at the ball I’m holding. “Maybe it’ll be different this time.”
“It won’t,” he decides. “But you do what you want, and when it blows up in your face, I’ll only say ‘Told you so’ once.”
“Just once?”
“Just once,” he promises, and when I meet his gaze, he smiles. “I only want the best for you.”
“I know, but I’m a big girl. I’m actually the older one of the two of us.”
He strokes his chin, deep in thought. “I feel that’s a technicality that doesn’t matter.”
I shake my head. “You’re impossible.”
“And you love me,” he claims, pulling me to him for a hug. I drop the ball and wrap my arms around his middle. If only he knew how much I loved him. He smells like a freaking dream, and I nuzzle closer for longer than I should, but I can’t resist. I hold him until he starts to let go, and slowly, we part.
“I do.”
“I know,” he says, pushing a piece of my hair behind my ear. “I like your hair like this.”
It’s in a braided bun, but it’s nothing to get excited about. When he pulls his hand away, he touches my jaw lightly with his finger, and I hold my breath. “Thanks.” I swallow hard, swooning, needing to change the subject so he stops looking at me. “Bet you thought Angie was hot last night.”
I know, it’s pathetic, but I don’t want him to think I’m into him because I swooned at his touch.
He chuckles, a sexy look taking over his features. I love when he smiles like that. That bashful grin that shows his deep dimples. “She is. But man, she’s thirsty as fuck.”
I scoff. “Well, duh. I thought you were irresistible?”
He nods. “You’re right,” he says, pointing to me. “I told her I wanted a relationship, that I don’t fuck for free.”
I dissolve in laughter. “You think really highly of your abilities, friend.”
“Hey, I know what I can do,” he says, all rough and dangerous. “All this costs commitment.”
I’m dying. Like completely dying.
“Slow your roll, pump-and-dump,” I tease, and he guffaws. “So, whatcha thinking?”
“I don’t know. Aiden really doesn’t want me doing anything with her. She’s hot and smart, but I don’t see anything there. No sparks.”
“Well, got to have the sparks,” I say softly because, for me, it’s like fireworks going off around his head and mine. I feel like a character in the Sims. My heart is coming out of my chest, and I want to take him to bed for whoopee. It’s pretty damn insane in my head, but that’s what he does to me.
“Right? You know what’s crazy?” he asks, checking his watch.
“What?”
He meets my gaze once more, and I swear, if I weren’t harboring the secret that I’m in love with him, I would swoon once more. “Everyone is saying we should hook up.”
My stomach drops, and I choke on my word. “Huh?”