Okay… I guess it would be rude of me to ask forthatseat, if it means it separates them, when I’ve been adamant about wanting them to spend time together. Which leaves me with the last available option…
I take a defeated limping step towards the chair facing Nate. It’ll be fine. Right? Not awkward. I mean, we’re with our friends. Jack’s here. There’s no reason to talk or think about the shower incident. Or to notice the way his eyes drop for a fraction of a second to my breasts when I sit down, this time covered under a flower print white maxi dress. Or how his throat bobs when I lift my hair to tie them up in a ponytail.
Nope, nothing to notice. Nothing going on there.
“Should we order drinks or something?” Jack asks, looking at the menu.
“They have a really nice white wine,” Evie chirps. “And their cocktails are to die for.”
“I feel like we’re always drinking cocktails when we’re out,” Jack muses.
“You want to go for something else? I think they have a good homemade juices and smoothies selection…” Ikram says.
“Of course I’ll take a cocktail, it was just an observation.”
“Hi, you guys want something to drink before you eat?” The waitress asks, stopping at the end of our table, a notepad in her hands.
“I think I’ll get a Martini,” Nuri says.
“A Pina Colada for me, please.” Evie orders.
“I’m thinking… Sex on the beach,” Ikram says, chuckling in Jack’s neck,who asks for the same thing.
I feel a leg sliding against my own, and I jolt in surprise, only for my eyes to meet Nate’s sparking blue ones. His lips stretch on one side, his dimple popping up.
“Make it three.”
My eyes widen and I feel blood rushing to my face as I stare at him, dumbfounded and mouth gaping. His jean’s covered leg rubbing the side of my calves softly as I try my best to keep all the dirty thoughts about him sliding his hand there, and higher.
Drunk me got me in so much trouble…
“What about you, miss?” The waitress asks, and I finally pull my gaze away from Nate.
Alcohol put me in this weird position where Nate knows how he makes me feel and told me howImake him feel. Alcohol is the reason I got all weird and started smelling him. Alcohol is responsible for me selfishly considering ignoring the potential consequences for his and Jack’s relationship.
Yeah, I’m blaming alcohol for all of the above. I don’t care that it just revealed things that were already there.
Alcohol isbad.
“Uh—water. Please.”
I hear him chuckle and I close my eyes with a long sigh. After this morning I’m not sure what to expect for today. And Drunk me is not to be trusted around him. What if I start rubbing my face in his neck in front of everyone? Or if I word-vomit all my thoughts again?
No, no, no. Can’t happen. Jack is my priority for today. I want him to have a great time. Can’t jeopardize it with whatever I feel but can’t express towards Nate.
Even if Nate smirks as he slides his sunglasses on, wearing a white linen shirt is one of the most appetizing things I’ve ever seen.
27
NATE’S HANDS ARE CLEARLY MAGICAL
5 Missed calls from Mom.
1 Missed call from Tham.
PRUDENCE
Have you ever felt like people are all sharing a secret and you’re excluded from it? Because it’s the vibe I’m getting right now.
