“You’re good for my ego.” Taking a deep breath, I wet my lips. “I can’t believe I’m about to tell you this.”
Drake holds up a hand. “Wait. Maybe I should be the one interrogating you. Are you a serial killer?”
“No,” I laugh, finding myself relaxing. “Well, maybe with Cocoa Puffs.”
He sighs. “Good answer. A creeper?”
“Depends. Do you have a bag of Twizzlers?”
“Cherry or strawberry?”
“Strawberry.”
“Okay. We can still be friends. I’m ready for you to tell me.”
I could make up some stupid excuse and move the conversation along, but there’s something about Drake that makes me want to tell him the truth. He’s a stranger, for one thing, and I’ll likely never see him again. Or maybe it’s the feeling I get in the pit of my stomach every time he smiles at me. Either way, I’m going with it.
“Long story short, I need to take more chances in life and try new things. Grace seems to think I should go about that by having a one-night stand with a stranger.”
Drake points to himself. “I’m a stranger.”
“I know,” I say, laughing. “But I came to the bar because I wanted to prove to myself that I could step out of my comfort zone and meet someone new. If I’m being completely honest, I’m not a one-night stand kind of girl.”
“Fair enough, although I don’t think you should remove it from the table just yet.”
“I’m not going to sleep with you.”
Drake holds out his hand. “How about a dance then?”
I shake my head. “I don’t dance.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t know how.”
“There’s only one way to learn.”
When I don’t put my hand in his, Drake reaches for me. I allow him to pull me to my feet, but that’s all the farther I’m going.
“I’ll step on your toes,” I warn.
“That’s okay. I have ten.”
I laugh for what feels like the hundredth time since he sat down beside me, only this time I find myself leaning toward him. “And I’d prefer you to keep them.”
“I’m willing to risk a few.”
“I’m not dancing with you.”
“What are you afraid of?”
Drake tugs gently on my hand, and I take a deep breath, trying to keep my anxiety in check. Except it doesn’t work. My heart rate kicks up a few notches, sending a surge of adrenaline throughout my body.
“N-nothing,” I stutter.
“Then dance with me.”
Biting my lip, I watch couples glide effortlessly around the room. The thought of being out there with Drake excites and terrifies me.