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“It didn’t look like he was taking no for an answer. Was he hitting on you? Trying to buy you a drink?”
“Other way around,” she scoffs.
The woman in line behind her giggles, then apologizes when Maren glances at her. “Sorry, but the audacity of these guys. Hey baby, do you want to buy my broke ass a drink?”
“Sadly, I actually dated him for a while.”
“Ugh, why do we do that to ourselves?” she asks.
They disappear into the bathroom, still talking. That’s something unique to women. Never in my life have I made a friend in or near a men’s restroom.
Lila and Louise sit at the table when I return and it’s clear they were watching. Looks like Row has been dragged onto the dance floor with Cara and Holly.
Lila takes a sip of her soft drink as I join them. “Idiot Kyle. They’ve been broken up for a year or so. What a scumbag. Was he bothering her?”
“She said he was trying to get her to buy him a drink.”
“Sounds about right,” Louise says, looking over my shoulder. “I’m glad that Maren has traded up to a better boyfriend.”
Maren must’ve overheard as she approached behind me because she replies, “Why am I being talked about?”
“Louise called you my girlfriend. What do you think about that?” I tease, wrapping my arm around her waist while she’s standing and pulling her closer to me.
“I think Louise has smoked too much today, but it’s her birthday so she deserves it.”
Louise grins at us. Between the weed and alcohol, she’s feeling no pain. “Well, whatever you’re calling it, I’m happy for you. I told you dreams are a powerful thing and having sex dreams about someone?—”
“Louise!” Maren interrupts. “Oh my god.”
“It’s nothing to be embarrassed about!” she assures her. “In fact, I’ll bet that Cooper had the same thing going on.”
Maren’s cheeks flame red, and the smile on my face can probably be seen from space. “As a matter of fact…”
I’m cut off by Maren’s hand over my mouth. “Shut up.” She snatches Louise’s shot. “You are cut off, woman!”
Louise only laughs as Maren drinks her shot and makes a beeline for the dance floor.
“You’re my favorite person tonight.”
I’m not sure what makes my night more, the fact that Maren was dreaming about me or the way she keeps sneaking looks at me now. When I meet her eyes across the room, and she knows she’s busted, her smile is sheepish and accompanied by a middle finger.
Raising my eyebrows, I nod. Invitation accepted. It’s late and the music blares as I move through the crowded dance floor. Before I get to her and her friends, a woman steps out in front of me, looping her arms around my neck.
“Hey sexy,” she says. It’s the same girl who tried to get me to sit with them earlier. “I’m Ashley. Dance with me.”
She isn’t giving me much choice since she’s already grinding on me. “Thanks, but I’m looking for my girl,” I tell her, gently removing her arms from around my neck. She’s drunk and doesn’t take any offense, judging by her giggle.
There’s no need to look for Maren. When I turn around, she’s right there, eyeing the woman and dancing with Holly. Okay, this is now the top moment of tonight, seeing that look of jealousy on Miss We Aren’t Dating’s face. It’s not like she can protest since she’s made it clear we aren’t here together, though I’ve only seen her dance with her friends. No other men.
“Hey!” Ashley slurs, grinning at them. “Don’t you just love this song? And your hair is so pretty!”
“Thanks slut,” Maren replies, and Ashley’s smile flicks to a bemused expression.
“What?”
“I said thanks a lot!” she shouts over the music. “I love your shoes.”
The smile returns to Ashley’s face, and she lets out a loud “Woo!” She grabs onto another man who is happy to dance with her.
