Simon and Beck are playing video games on the couch, and Graham is trying to read a book while the redhead next to him is basically trying to climb into his lap. I make my way through the kitchen, grab a fresh beer, and head out to the patio where Zane is chugging a red cup at one end of the beer pong table.
It almost feels like we’re at a frat party. I’m sure we would be if it were fall and the semester had started. But tonight, we’re basically just a bunch of college kids who either live here full-time or stay to take classes over the summer.
I chuckle to myself.
Does this mean my house is full of like-minded people who know what they want in life and are eager to get there, or is it full of nerds who like summer school?
“Is something funny?”
With a smirk still on my lips, I turn my gaze to the woman next to me, only to come face-to-face with pink shirt girl.
My smile widens.
“Hi,” I say instead of answering her question.
Under the patio lights, I can faintly spot the light pink color in her cheeks.
“Hi,” she replies.
Before I can say anything else, a Ping-Pong ball smacks her in the temple. She’s not injured for obvious reasons, but it does startle her enough to drop her drink.
Her beer spills onto the ground between us.
“Sorry!” Zane yells. “But I get a free pass tonight!”
I grab the ball and toss it back hard enough that it pegs him in the forehead.
Pink shirt girl laughs.
“Sorry, my friends are kind of crazy,” I say. “That one just got his first book deal, and he’s going insane right now to celebrate.”
She smiles wide. “You hang out with people who write books?”
“Don’t sound so surprised.”
“It’s just weird, is all. I mean, college guys barely read, and here you are with someone who writes actual books.”
Her tone is flirty, and her smile hits me right in the heart.
I fucking like that smile.
“Oh, stereotyping, are we?” I flirt back, crossing my arms and widening my stance as I wait for her reply.
She shakes her head.
“Nope. Just speaking from experience to all the college guys I’ve met so far.”
I chuckle, wink at her, and then lean closer. “Want me to blow your mind?”
She laughs, and my heart swells.
I’ve never heard a laugh that physically gives me energy. I want to listen to it again.
“Is that a sex joke I don’t get?”
“No.” I step even closer to her.
I swear she leans in, too.
