A strangled groan leaves my lips as I realize how much I’ve revealed. Now she’ll think I’m a pathetic loser. All I’m doing is making Ari look better. It’s the story of my life.
I drag a hand over my face and focus on the trees that creep at the edge of the property. Embarrassment bubbles up inside me like a geyser.
What the fuck was I thinking?
Maybe if I ignore her long enough, she’ll leave. Nothing about this evening has worked out the way I thought it would. I’m ready for it to be over. Mia has spent years avoiding me. It shouldn’t be too difficult to do the same until graduation.
From the corner of my eye, I watch as she rises to her feet.
Thank fuck.
A dozen bottles of beer and maybe I’ll forget this conversation ever took place. I’m not one to get blackout drunk, but right now it’s the best plan I can come up with.
Instead of returning to the party, she closes the distance between us. It’s only when she lowers herself to my lap that I stare at her in surprise. My hands settle on her waist, so she doesn’t tumble off my thighs as her arms slide around my neck.
“Do you remember what you asked me two weeks ago outside Dr. Hayes’ classroom?”
She’s so damn close that her warm breath drifts across my lips. Barely am I able to concentrate on the question she’s asking.
“Beck?” Humor tinges her voice.
I blink and wrack my brain. Two weeks ago? Outside Hayes’ classroom?
Oh…right.
Mia had used her stealthy avoidance tactics to thwart me, but I’d loitered around and waited for her.
“You asked for a second chance,” she reminds softly.
Yup, that’s right. And she shot me down before I could blink.
“I remember,” I mutter, wondering where she’s going with this.
She presses closer. The light floral scent she’s wearing wraps around me. I suck in a deep breath as need pulses through my body.
“Ask me again,” she whispers.
A little zip of electricity sizzles through my veins. I search her eyes, trying to sift through her thoughts in the darkness. Is this some kind of joke? Are all of my parent’s guests planning on jumping out and laughing hysterically when I ask this girl out again only for her to reject me?
Nerves settle in the pit of my belly. “Will you give me another chance?”
Her mouth brushes over mine. Back and forth she caresses my lips until I’m close to losing it.
“Yes.”
With a frown, I drag myself away. “You’re not fucking with me, are you?”
The corners of her lips quirk. “No, I’m not.”
“You sure?”
“Yes!” she laughs. “I’m sure!”
“All right then.” Every muscle in my body loosens. “Carry on with what you were doing.”
Instead of waiting for her to come to me, I press my mouth against hers. As soon as she opens, my tongue slips inside. Mia’s arms tighten around my neck.
That’s all it takes to get lost in the taste of her.
“It’s nice to see you two have finally worked out your issues,” a smug voice says from behind us. “I was beginning to lose hope.”
Son of a bitch.
I pull away from Mia enough to twist around and glare at my brother. “Get out of here before I kick your ass.” Even though Mia is perched on my lap, I press her protectively against my chest.
“Don’t worry, I’m going.” He chuckles before throwing his hands up in the air. “I don’t even get a thank you for pushing you two crazy kids together?”
I snort as Ari disappears as silently as he arrived on the scene.
For a moment, I stare at Mia. “So, what now?”
She purses her lips and pretends to ponder the question. “You kiss me.”
“I can do that,” I murmur, not needing to be told twice.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Mia
“Okay,” Dad peeks around the hood of my Jeep, “try starting it again.”
I turn the key, but nothing happens. Not even the clicking sound that means the engine is trying to turn over. Dad grumbles before straightening to his full height. I open the door and hop out, coming around to the front.
With our heads bent together, we stare at the engine.
“Any ideas?” I ask, already knowing the answer. Neither one of us understands a damn thing about cars, except how to drive them.
Dad scratches the side of his head, looking perplexed. Ask him anything about the stock market or assets and equity management, and he can give you a dissertation that would bore you to tears.
Ask him about cars and he’s as silent as a church mouse.
“Nope,” he says cheerfully, “I got nothing.” He puffs out his lips as he continues staring. “I guess the next step is to call the garage and have it towed.”
My shoulders collapse. This Jeep is my baby and I hate being without it. It was a gift for my sixteenth birthday. Hands down, best present I’ve ever received. I don’t want anything to be seriously wrong with it. Someday I’ll need to buy a new car, but I hope it’s not anytime soon.