“One more round,” Nigel cheered, this time thankfully returning with beer. He passed us each a bottle and I took it, grateful to have something to hold.
“At least this I can nurse for the next hour,” Harrison said in a low voice that only I could hear.
“Don’t let Nigel notice,” I warned. “He’ll challenge you to some sort of chugging contest.”
The bar hummed with energy, packed shoulder to shoulder with people. TVs flashed sports overhead while the music pounded from the DJ booth at the front, shaking the air around us. I hadn’t been to a place like this in ages; maybe since right after graduating college. While this was nowhere near my typical scene, it was fun to be somewhere so lively. The noisy crowd—dancing, laughing, and talking over the music—was enough to keep me energized and completely in the moment. Especially since I refused to allow myself to get drunk on this trip. No way was I wasting a single moment in Greece stuck in bed with a hangover. I also didn’t trust myself with the combination of Harrison and low inhibitions. Not when I was already getting this comfortable with him after just one decent conversation.
Since we’d arrived at the bar, he’d made sure to keep me close by his side. It did something to me. He didn’t take his eyes off me for a second in the busy room, and when the crowd thickened, he hovered a hand near my waist. He didn’t touchme, as much as I wanted him to. He simply kept his hand there to keep anyone else from bumping into me. Every so often his knuckles brushed against me and my whole body lit up.
“You all are a blast,” Mark said loudly, grabbing Harrison and me around our necks and pulling us in for a sloppy hug.
“I think you’re having more fun than everyone else in this bar combined,” Harrison said, patting his back and shifting slightly so that he was between Mark and me.
“No, seriously. I’m coming to the U.S. after this and we’ll all go out,” Nigel slurred, joining his friend and slinging an arm around him. “Where’s Will?”
“Ah, he went off that way. Followed some chick.”
“We need to find chicks of our own,” Nigel said.
“You all are sharing a six-person room,” I reminded them with a laugh. “Not exactly the right circumstances for bringing a girl back.”
“Depends what you’re into,” Mark said, wiggling his eyebrows.
Harrison glared at him. “Watch it,” he said, tone bordering on harsh.
They both tipped their heads back, cackling.
“You’re so sensitive about your girlfriend.” Nigel whacked Harrison’s shoulder.
“She’s not my girlfriend.” Harrison rolled his eyes. I’m sure he was just irritated that he had to keep repeating the fact, but hearing it still stung all the same.
“You keep telling yourself that,” Mark yelled over the music.
Nigel leaned in past Harrison to give me a squeeze and a kiss on the cheek. “Lily, if he won’t make an honest woman out of you, I will.” Nigel winked at me before Harrison shoved him aside.
“Seriously, back off,” he bit out. “And for the millionth time her name is Lila.”
Nigel just chuckled. “Awfully protective over someone who isn’t your girlfriend.”
“She’s still my responsibility,” he said.
“Whatever.” Nigel shrugged. “Mark, let’s go talk to that table of girls in the back.” The two of them disappeared into the thick crowd, leaving me alone with Harrison. Well, alone in a packed bar.
His responsibility.His words reverberated in my mind. Ew. Was that really what he thought of me?
“What’s wrong with you?” He asked, meeting my eyes.
I didn’t realize I had folded my arms across my chest. In fact, my whole body had stiffened. Frowning up at him, I waited for him to get the hint. But instead of recognition flashing into his eyes, he continued to stare at me blankly.
“What?” he asked again.
I gave an exaggerated sigh before saying, “Nothing,” and shouldering past him to find a spot at the edge of the bar. Suddenly, I desperately needed some air. One wall was lined with open windows, and I stopped to inhale the fresh night air.
“Hey, don’t storm off like that.” Harrison was beside me in a second. So much for getting some space.
“I hardly stormed off,” I said.
“I can tell when you’re upset.”
