The waiter cleared their dinner plates, and they ordered refills of margaritas and chips. He asked if they wanted more salsa to which Ryan replied, “We don’t need no stinkin’ salsa.”
Perrin and Bran watched them with refined judgement as Maggie snorted into her spicy cocktail.
“I kind of wanted more salsa.”
Ryan flung his hand into the air like a matador and clicked his fingers. “Waiter! More salsa for my senorita.” Proud of his Spanish, he grinned widely and said, “Me llamo es Ryan Clooney. Si y también tenemos queso.”
She laughed again and nearly fell out of her chair.
“I’m not sure what that second part means,” he confessed.
Bran leaned forward. “You told her your name and then told her you also have cheese.”
Maggie lost it. After that, they gave up on trying to act classy, and Ryan started making up words he thought sounded Spanish. When he made a mess, he needed a napkin-o. And he said he couldn’t stop laughing because of all the beverage-ios. The waiter took pity on him and tried teaching him the correct words, but after five margaritas, it seemed pretty hopeless.
On the way out of the restaurant, Perrin pulled her aside. “Our car’s out back.”
“Oh, we walked.”
“Do you want a ride?”
Maggie scrunched her nose and shook her head, but her neck wasn’t doing too good of a job holding her head up. “Nah.”
Her sister smiled. “I can’t remember the last time I saw you this happy, Maggie.”
“I am happy.” It felt good to say it aloud. “Ryan makes me happy.”
“I think he’s great for you.”
Up front, it was a lovely compliment but something snagged Maggie’s attention. Only, she was too drunk to figure out what. Something about him being great for her… She half wondered if anyone would consider her remotely good for him.
She hugged Perrin and told her they should do this again sometime. Ryan shook Bran’s hand and then looped his arm in hers and steered them home.
“I like your sister.”
“Me too,” she emphatically agreed. “Remember how the Monkees used to walk? Or was that the Beatles? Or am I thinking of The Wizard of Oz?”
“I think we should just think about left-right, left-right.”
That was probably the safest option. “I had fun tonight. Although, I don’t think I’m going to have fun at work tomorrow.”
“Shit. I totally forgot it was a weeknight.”
“This is very, very bad for tomorrow morning.”
“Let’s not think about it yet.”
“Okay.”
They reached her house and he walked her around back. He stood across from her on the small porch. “Do I get to kiss you goodnight?”
She tipped her head back and smiled, then laughed when her head just sort of bobbled there. “Yes, please.”
He cupped her cheeks and laughed. “You’ve turned into a bowl of Jell-O.”
“It’s on account of all the tequila.”
“I believe it’s pronounced el tequila-o.”
She snorted. “Tequila’s tequila.”
Her laughter cut off as his mouth closed over hers. Her skin tingled as his hands swept up her spine and pulled her closer, his tongue stealing into her mouth and kissing her passionately.
She grew dizzy from his touch and hung onto his shirt with tight fists. Her ribs pulled tight against her lungs and her belly swirled with warm wanting.
When he gently pulled away, she clung to his shoulders in drunken awe. “Why do I feel like you’re not as think as I drunk you are?”
He bit her lower lip. “I love you. Good night.”
He opened her door and guided her inside without ever crossing the threshold. She looked back at him and smiled, her cheeks warm and her body soft.
She wondered how she could like someone so much, despite all the ways she told herself she couldn’t. Maybe she didn’t know herself at all.
“Good night.”
She blew him a kiss and he pulled the door closed.
Chapter 30
Ryan’s hand closed around her hip, massaging gently as his mouth pulled at hers. His tongue teased softly, coaxing. And she moaned into the kiss.
They had been making out on the couch for over an hour, just like they had the day before and the day before that. As a matter of fact, it didn’t seem to matter what their plans were. The moment they were behind closed doors, they couldn’t keep their mouths off each other.
“I really just wanted to know if you had baking soda.”
“I know.” He kissed down her jaw and to her ear. “I’m checking.”
Her head rolled back, and she sighed. She loved when he kissed her ears. “But my fridge stinks.”
“I love it when you talk dirty to me.”
“I think it’s from the Thai leftovers. We’re not ordering curry again.”
“I’ll buy you a new fridge tomorrow.” His fingers teased over the belt loops of her jeans.
She giggled and found his mouth, biting playfully at his lips and looping her arms around his neck. He growled and took over the kiss.
The next night, she came over to watch a movie, but they never even got past the Netflix menu.