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“What about those guys?”I nod toward the cluster of fellas she was holding court with minutes ago.
She squints one eye.“I think he has a name.Probably all of them.But I don’t know.Or I can’t remember.He’s creepy.”
That’s when I appoint myself her personal security for the evening.
I’ll feed her and make sure she gets home.Hopefully, somewhere in that process, I can get her number.
Our marshmallows are still a creamy shade, not yet done to perfection, when one of the guys from her little group steps up beside her.“Hey, Jazzy, come back over here.I told Ingrid I’d look out for you.”
Jazzy.At least I know her name.Although, the name seems mismatched to the woman cuddled against my side.
She shakes her head and nestles in closer to me.“He’s making me food.”
He reaches for her.
Bold move considering I’m holding a sharp stick.
He’s not backing down.He grabs her arm.“Come with me.I’ll get you another soda?”The guy avoids eye contact with me, which is a red flag.
I pull the marshmallows away from the fire, ready to use the roasting stick to fight the dude off if necessary.
Telling her what to do when she’s already said she doesn’t want to isn’t cool at all.
I stare at the guy, and after a few heart beats, he meets my gaze.
“She’s with me.”I’m not the possessive type, but I keep my arm firmly around her.
Tension mounts as this dude tries to decide whether to take me on.The battle inside isn’t hard to read.
She giggles, and the musical sound slices through the tension and snaps my attention to her.
Gazing up at me, she asks, “Have you ever had a mullet?”
Still very conscious of the man boring holes into me, I indulge her with an answer.“No.I’ve done many things I’d just as soon forget, but getting a mullet isn’t one of them.”
“Oh, good.”She spins to face the guy, pulling my arm around her waist as she does.“He’s taking me home.”
There’s a bit of news.I mean, I planned to drive her home, but the way she just said it gives an entirely different impression.But I guarantee that’s not what will be happening tonight.
Everyone who knows me would say that I’m a nice guy.And I am.But she doesn’t know me from Adam, which speaks to her state of mind.
This other guy, while he could be nice, is a bit too pushy for my liking.And he just won’t back off.“Jazzy, stop being silly and come back over here with me.”
I meet his gaze and hold it a full second before I speak.“She’s told you what she wants.”
He returns my stare, then sips his beer before shaking his head.“Whatever.”
I’m not sure what his deal was.Maybe he wanted to take advantage of a drunk woman, but whatever the case, I’m glad he’s moved on.
With the marshmallows back over the fire, I ask, “Is Ingrid your friend?”
Jazzy taps the sides of her dress, and keys jingle.“My roommate.She’s moving away though.I have her keys, but her car is blocked in.”She’s repeating bits she’s already told me, and her words are starting to slur.
I pull the marshmallows away from the flame and make sure she’s steady on her feet before letting go of her long enough to put one on a graham cracker.“Here you go.Let me grab you some chocolate.”
Instead of candy bars, there are bags of semisweet chips.I fill my palm—my hands are mostly clean—and hold it out for her to get the chocolate.She flips over the graham cracker and shoves the marshmallow into my hand.Thankfully it’s cooled a bit since I pulled it from the fire.But it’s still hot enough to melt chocolate.
That’s gonna leave a mess.
