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The fact I was even considering the first washed over me, and my skin lit up. Wanting any of them was not a problem. Every single kiss pushed me closer, but Archie and I had already crossed that line, and what did it say about me if I did with all of them? Even if they knew about each other. Ian punched Archie about Friday night, but he wasn’t pulling away from me.
Eddies from earlier turned into a churn, and I diverted to the guest room. If I couldn’t answer that question without gut-wrenching nerves, then I didn’t need to be asking it yet. Ian was the one who said he needed a minute to get himself under control. And it wasn’t like I’d been pushing him away.
Stripping off the backpack, I set it on the guest bed. Then walked into the guest bathroom to check my face. My lips were swollen, and there was a little redness around my mouth and cheek—from his stubble. The fact I could see it gave me another little thrill. The hickeys I had courtesy of Jake and Coop were still there, faded—save for the one Jake added to Sunday night.
Fortunately, he’d kept it lower so I could hide it under my clothes. It was going to be very visible in a suit though. So would the ones on my thighs. Nerves practically vibrated in my stomach, and I pulled my hair down and ran my fingers through it.
Maybe it had been a bad idea to bring my suit. I’d worn it Saturday but hadn’t really gotten to show it off. The day had gone so epically sideways. The sound of Ian’s heavier tread on the stairs reached me, and I rolled my eyes at myself.
Friends, first. We’d all been friends first. Stripping, I changed into the bikini I’d picked up for myself and ran a comb through my hair before leaving my clothes folded neatly to put back on. Then snagging my backpack, I opened the door and found Ian standing just outside his bedroom door, arms folded.
He hadn’t changed yet.
His eyes flared as our gazes locked. “Wow…” Licking his lips, he lingered on my suit for a minute before blowing out a breath. “Really wow.”
“I got this last spring, I just… never wore it.” The look on his face made me wonder why I’d always been so reticent about bikinis. At the same time, I was happy I’d gone with it, even as my nerves decided to put on a fresh appearance. It was like being in a tug of war with a spring-loaded yo-yo. My emotions were all over the place.
“I like it.” He straightened. “And that answers that question.”
“What question?”
“Whether you wanted to just hang out in my room or go swimming…”
Did he mean? “If you want…”
“No, I mean—I do want. But I think swimming is better. Then homework, then music. Sound good?”
My stomach let out a gurgle, and Ian burst out laughing.
My face was probably the color of a cherry tomato. My gut was not known for its ladylike behavior.
“And food,” he promised. “Give me a sec.”
He was already pulling his shirt off as he walked into his room. When he didn’t close the door, it was like every cell in my body yearned to follow him in there. Shaking my head, I made myself turn to go down the stairs. Just because he hadn’t closed the door, didn’t mean he’d left it open for me to ogle him.
I got to do that enough by the pool. The fact I had sex on the brain wasn’t lost on me. Downstairs, I got us sodas from the fridge. There was a note on the counter from Ian’s mom with some cash. It said to order pizza and have a good night—they would be late getting back.
Date night.
That was right. His parents had a date night once a week. Sometimes his mom worked evening shifts, but they’d been heading out on a date last week. I left the note and cash where it was and took the sodas outside with my backpack. The umbrella was already opened over the table, so I set out my stuff.
Cheryl had messaged me about dress shopping again, and I groaned.
Me:Not sure. I have to work tomorrow and Thursday. Maybe Monday next week—maybe. If you have to go without me, it’s okay.
Cheryl:Girl, you gotta do the whole experience and trying on all the dresses together is part of that. When do you work this weekend?
Me:10 to 6 Sat and Sun. Always 10 to 6.
Cheryl:Ugh. Fine. Saturday evening. Mitch will just have to do without me. You and I, Rockdale Mall, seven. Want me to pick you up?
I made a face.
Me:Can I think about it?
Cheryl:Absolutely not. You need a great dress, and the key is to have the right wingwoman. Lucky for you, I’m amazing and I know you’ll tell me if something makes me look like a creampuff.
I couldn’t help it,I laughed.
