“A conversation between acquaintances.”
“Acquaintances? I think they know one another’s names.”
I study her, unsure if I like her or not. She’s bold, and I like bold, but she also seems presumptuous. I don’t like presumptions.
Her eyes are kind, quiet, and honest—in the right lighting. Up close, mere inches from my own, they’re louder, darker, and seem to hold secrets. I may not be okay with presumptions, but I am on board with secrets. I have an entire closet full of them.
Fuck. That sounds bad.
“Gaige,” I tell her. “Addams.” I don’t know why I supplied my last name, but it felt like Ineededto.
“Well, Gaige Addams, it was a semi-pleasure to meet you, but I need to be getting back to my friends.”
A semi-pleasure?
“Is that even a thing?”
“Of course it is.” She responds like it’s wholly logical.
“How so?”
Her eyes smile. Her fucking eyessmilelike Tyra Banks’ eyes smile. I’ve never known someone to be able to do that.
“At first it wasn’t pleasurable. You were a little rude and corrective. That’s not necessarily an attractive trait in a stranger.”
“Stranger?”
“Acquaintance.”
“And the pleasurable part?” I push, sitting up straighter.
“Ah. Right. Well it turns out you’re not so bad to talk to. Plus, you have a really cute name.”
I smirk, enjoying the fact that she’s brave enough to say something like that. I wonder if it’s the alcohol or if she’s always so outspoken; either way, I like it.
She leans in closer and I automatically match her movements. Haley tips her head to the side, her eyes narrowing slightly. She does this often and again I wonder if it’s the alcohol causing her to do what she does.
“I really do need to be getting back to my friends.” I have to strain to hear her because her words aren’t more than a whisper.
“Are you sure?” I don’t know why, but this is the second thing I’ve said unintentionally.
She nods. “Sadly, but can I tell you a secret?”
“Acquaintances share secrets?”
Haley leans in closer. I follow her. I glance down at her lips and decide right then they’re kissable.
“They do now.” We’re so close together now I can feel her breath hit my lips as she speaks.
“Share away then.”
“I don’t even want to be here tonight. I’m not a fan of ‘going out’.”
This timeInarrow my eyes. “Why are you here then?”
She shrugs. “I was suckered into it.”
“Is that why you’ve done a ridiculous number of shots?”
