“I don’t think it went further than a kiss.”
His shoulders slump in relief until he fully registers my words, then they tense up close to his ears. “You don’t remember either.”
“I remember a little bit after the kiss,” I hedge, the scenes too foggy for me to explain. “But I don’t remember coming back to the room.”
“Shit,” he mutters, dropping his head into both hands. “Fuck!”
I remain silent, allowing him to vent his frustration.
After a few more curses, he finally lifts his head and explains, “Sorry, I just … I’ve never done this before.”
“Gone to a hotel room with a guy?” I ask, genuinely curious. The only partner he talked about last night was his ex-girlfriend, so I don’t know where he lands on the spectrum. I know he’s attracted to me. The clearest memories from last night are of his eyes caressing me and his hand squeezing my arm. I just don’t know ifheknows he’s attracted to me, or if that’ll come as an unpleasant surprise.
Alex smiles, and while it’s more self-deprecating than happy, it’s better than disgust or denial. “Technically, that’s true, but only because we met in one of our dorm rooms. I meant I’ve never had a one-night stand before.”
“You still haven’t,” I reply, then add, “technically.”
His smile widens slightly and my heart swells with triumph. He really does have the sweetest smile.
You thought the same thing about Nick. And Tyler. And all the other boys.I push the thoughts away. Obviously, I need to deal with the breakup at some point, but right now the man in front of me is more important.
He runs a hand over his curls, flattening some of them and sticking up others. “Is this the part where I awkwardly get dressed and do the walk of shame while pretending nothing ever happened?”
My heart that was soaring moments ago now crashes back down to reality. Of course that’s what he wants. That’s what both of us set out for when we first shared a drink—a night exchanging sob stories with a stranger before we separate to lick our wounds and heal on our own. I’m only in the city for a week, and his relationship sounds more serious than mine. He probably has to figure out how to disentangle himself from the woman he spent over a year of his life with.
But we had a connection last night, one I’m not ready to sever.
I like you. You matter to me.It’s a gamble to take his words as anything more than drunken rambling, but it’s a fairly low stakes bet. “Or we can exchange numbers. Maybe get some breakfast before you go home.”
His pretty pink lips form a surprised ‘o’, like he didn't know that was an option. I wait for him to give me some false platitudes, to tell me he’s not interested in pursuing anything further. Instead, he says, “I’d like that.” Then his face twitches and he lays a hand on his stomach. “The phone number, at least. Breakfast is a little questionable right now.”
I grin and search the room for my phone. It doesn’t take long to find it—even drunk I got it on the charger. I open it up, ready to ask for his number, when an email notification catches my eye.
Virtual Vows
Thanks For Your Payment
“Euan?”
“One second.” I click on the email and scroll through it. Cold shock splashes through me as I view the receipt.
Your Receipt # 5496
Thanks for your payment toVirtual Vowsthe online service for all your marriage needs!
Payment Summary
Service: Fast-Track Marriage Ceremony
Participant Names: Alexander Marklin and Euan Blair
Ceremony Fee: $499.00
Government Processing Fee: $80.00
Shipping Fee: $18.95
Total: $597.95
