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The table went quiet for a moment at the uncharacteristic snap in Emma’s voice.
“I’m sure you are,” said Jake, a little coldly.
Ignoring his reply, Emma turned to Gabe and Matt. “The DJ going to be on later?”
“Yeah, I think so,” Gabe replied.
“Good. I need to dance.”
I leaned back in my chair as the game wound down, my head swimming pleasantly. I felt some of the pent-up tension in me melt away and tried to think of the last time I’d let loose like this. I put my arm around Matt’s shoulders, pulled him toward me. “You know the last time I got really drunk?” He grinned, shaking his head. “My stagette.” I raised my glass to Ally. “Her fault then, too.”
Ally grinned and raised her glass in return. “Sorry, not sorry.”
Peering into my glass, I stuck out my lower lip petulantly when I realized it was empty. Looking back up at Matt, I said, “I think it’s my round. Come with me?” He nodded and I slid off the stool, stumbling slightly. “I’m okay,” I said as he went to steady me, grabbing his hand and pulling him to the bar. I put my elbows on the bar to steady myself, smiling at Matt as he pushed in next to me, resting one elbow on the bar, facing me. I watched as the bartender came over, leaned across the bar and shook Matt’s hand. “Jesus, you know everyone.” I turned to the bartender to place my order, scowled at Matt when he interrupted me, asking for Cokes instead of the beers I’d ordered for him and Gabe. I turned to face him, poked his chest, went to say something about the Coke, then got distracted, looking him up and down. “I like that shirt.”
He laughed. “Thanks.”
“It matches your eyes.”
“Does it?”
“Yup.” I gazed up at him, enjoying the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. “It makes me want to kiss you.”
“Ohh, I don’t think you want to do that.”
“What? Yes, I do! I always want to kiss you.” Swaying toward him, I frowned when he put his hands on my shoulders, holding me away from him.
“I don’t think you’d be saying that in the morning.”
“Why not?”
“Because you don’t want everyone else to know.”
“Why don’t I?”
“I don’t know. It’s your rule, babe.”
I dimly tried to remember why I’d made the rule in the first place. It seemed a pretty stupid rule to me right now. “Well, I don’t remember either, and anyway, if it’s my rule, I can break it, right?” Sliding my arm around his shoulders and pressing myself against him, I said, “Please, Matthew. Kiss me. Just a little one.” I sighed when he gave in, brushing his lips lightly across mine. “Humph, not nearly enough, but it’ll do.”
The bartender brought our drinks on two trays. I paid, pocketed the change after leaving a nice tip, and reached for one of them. Matt picked up both, turning from the bar. “I can do it. Oh, hey Gabe.”
“Hey. Thought you might need a hand.”
“Thanks.” Matt gave Gabe a tray, then linked his fingers through mine and pulled me through the crowd. At the table, I pulled my stool closer to Matt’s before sitting down and reaching for my gin and tonic. Matt handed out the rest of the drinks and sat down, leaning back to lay his arm across the back of my stool. I scooched closer into him, enjoying his warmth as I sipped my drink.
“Come on, Zara, you’re up.” Ally handed me a glass. “Cheers to you, babe.”
“Cheers to me indeed.” I tapped my glass to Ally’s, threw my head back and downed the shot. “So yummy.” Putting my glass down, I turned to Matt, took his face in my hands, looked him straight in the eyes. “Is the game over yet?”
He laughed. “Nearly.”
“Who’s winning?”
“Do you care?”
“No, but Gabe does.”
“Knights are up by two.”
