It's the topless mermaid he promised for my birthday. She's sitting on a rock, her long blond hair covering her chest, her green eyes on the book in her hands.
It's perfect.
"I love it." I can't help myself. I throw my arms around him and squeeze tightly. "Would you do it right now, if I asked?"
"You've been drinking."
"But tomorrow?"
"In a week, maybe. You're not impulsive."
"What if I asked Dean to do it?"
"No."
"No?"
His voice gets stern. "No, Kay. There's no way Dean is touching you." Regret streaks his eyes. Like he wishes he hadn't said that.
It could be normal I'm responsible for your well-being, I'm taking care of you protectiveness.
But it's not.
I know it.
He knows it.
But does he know I know?
I stare into his dark eyes, but that doesn't offer any illumination.
"Hey! No private conversations." Dean moves toward us. "We've got plans. Important ones."
Brendon shoots him a really look.
Dean shoots back a sly smile. "We're gonna play Never Have I Ever."
"You're going to be drunk in five minutes flat." That's Leighton, the girl who works at the counter. I guess I didn't hear her come in.
Even Ryan laughs. "I'm not carting your plastered ass home."
"You overestimate me. It's all rumors." Dean moves toward the lobby—to the benches for customers. "Everybody get a drink. Then we'll see who wins."
"Don't you win by losing?" Leighton asks. She runs a hand through her short, pastel pink hair. "And isn't this game for kids?" She looks to me and Emma. "No offense."
"I think it's more for high school kids," I say.
"But it's fun." Emma looks to Dean. "Just bring cups and whiskey."
"Demanding," he teases back.
"You're not used to taking orders yet?" Walker plops on the bench on the right. "Brendon and Ryan are always bossing you around."
"You too." Dean flips him off.
Walker shakes his head. "I don't live to irritate them."
"You don't?" Ryan takes a seat on the other bench, as far away from Walker as possible. "That's news."