Page 19 of Riley

“I, uh... that’s... wow. Can’t say I was expecting that, although I guess that explains some things.”

Before I could ask what the hell he meant, Eric shook his head, that same charming air returning once more.

“Okay, so I’m thinking maybe something a little less... introspective.”

“Like what?” I asked, leaning my hand on my chin as I watched him intently.

“Well, seeing as you owe me a rematch, I was thinking maybe we could play some games...” he said the words smoothly, the corners of his lips turning up in a smirk.

“I would think you would be too wounded to be beaten again,” I teased him, realizing the moment I’d said the words, I hadn’t thought twice about them.

Being around Eric seemed to be bad for my control.

It was like I just couldn’t help myself.

Eric’s gaze darkened. “You got Lucky, Riley. That’s it. Pure and simple. But I wasn’t thinking pool...” he said, flipping his hair out of his eyes.

“Oh yeah, then what kind of game did you want to play with me, Eric?”

Eric grinned. “How about I pick you up tomorrow night at eight o’clock, and you can find out.”

Tomorrow night. Eight o’clock. My insides tightened and I panicked, since eight pm was usually when I started winding down to get ready for bed, but I also knew that was what I wanted.

I wanted to change things, and change started with adding a little more...funto my life.

But if I was being honest, I would have agreed to anything Eric proposed, even if it was a trip to Antarctica in the middle of January.

I bet he would look spectacular in a big puffy coat.

“Sounds good. I’ll, uh, text you my address. Since I have your number and all,” I said, blinking away the strange feeling that had settled over me, the nerves building in my stomach that screamed, “you’re going to ruin this!”

I only hoped they weren’t right.

CHAPTER 8

Riley

Be there in 5.

I stared at Eric’s text, feeling the beginnings of sweat already to starting to form.

I’d gone through the entire day feeling nervous as all hell, and Chris’s taunting didn’t help. I knew he was just trying to ease my nerves, but I wasn’t sure anything could take the edge off.

Nothing except probably a glass of wine, and I didn’t think it was polite or good etiquette to drinkbeforea date.

It’s not a date.

It’s just... hanging out.

With a really hot guy who you have a crush on and who’s your plus one to a wedding.

As I delved further into a spiral of dread, my doorbell rang.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my panic as I straightened my shoulders, heading toward the door. When I opened it, I had to focus on breathing.

For starters, Eric lookeddivine.Like sex on a freaking stick wearing a graphic tee that had some cartoon characters on it I had no idea who they were. But it was the ripped jeans, frayed at the knees, thathuggedthe man’s thighs like a cradle and his shiny, perfectly spotless white tennis shoes that made him look like a polished magazine ad.

Mixed with his messy dark hair and bright blue eyes, and perfect jaw, I had to practically pick my mouth up off the floor.

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