Page 33 of Only With You

I’d join them, but I’m so uncoordinated, it’s embarrassing. I can’t dance to save my life. The girls begged me to join them because Daisy, Cara, and their roommate Darius are down there too, but I’d only end up making a fool of myself.

So I stayed here, drinking while I not only watch them, but watch a girl flirt with Landon.

We didn’t talk about what happened outside. Though nothing really did, not physically at least, because mentally my mind is screaming that somethingdidhappen.

I can still feel the scrape of his beard against my ear and remember the way his eyes burned into me.

But I’m doing my best to ignore the feeling, because just a few feet away from me, he’s talking to a girl. Leah, I heard him call her.

They’re not just talking, though. She’s flirting with him and he’s definitely enjoying it. He may not be smiling or laughing, but he seems comfortable, relaxed even. All of his attention is on her, intently listening to whatever she’s saying.

Leah seems to fit the description of what Landon’s type would be. He didn’t tell me, but I can only assume she’s it.

She’s extremely gorgeous, has a full sleeve of tattoos on one arm, and I see another peeking from beneath the hem of her dress. It’s checkered with black and white, and it’s also short and tight. Her makeup is dark but shimmery, and don’t get me started on her perfect winged eyeliner. It looks amazing. Her hair is inky-black, except the front two strands which are silver. She also has a septum ring, and her fingers are decorated in rings.

I startle and almost spill my drink when someone drops onto the seat next to me.

“Hey!” Gabby beams, her smile droopy and eyes glassy.

I giggle when she sways back and forth. “Hey.”

“You really should come dance with us. I promise you’ll have lots and lots of fun.” She clasps her hands together and juts her bottom lip out.

I don’t think she’s drunk, but it looks like she will be soon.

“I promise you don’t want me down there. Everyone’s feet will be in danger.” I glance at my heeled feet and back at her.

“Who cares! Do you know how many times I’ve been elbowed and stepped on?” She counts using her fingers, but I think she loses track and waves her hand dismissively. “I promise it doesn’t matter who you step on. No one will remember by tomorrow.”

Her wide smile almost convinces me, but it’s not enough to get me to concede.

“I’m better here.” I drink the remaining liquid and shudder as the alcohol settles in my stomach. I laugh, blinking a few times as my vision shifts sideways. “Whoa.”

“Good, right? I’m not sure what it is either, but Polly swears on it,” she supplies before going to drink whatever’s in her cup, and groans. “I hadn’t realized I finished my drink. You want me to get you another?”

My gaze wanders to Landon and Leah. She leans closer and whispers something in his ear.

Whatever she said has them both standing up and heading for the stairs.

“No, I’ll go with you.”

I hadn’t gone downstairs because I knew Cole was here. He was actually the main reason why I decided against going downstairs. But a while ago I watched him leave with his friends and never saw him come back in.

Now that I know he’s not here, I don’t have to worry about running into him.

She jumps to her feet, almost stumbles back, but she manages to keep her balance. “Yay, okay!”

I laugh at her enthusiasm and stand, hooking my arms around hers. “I’m sorry I’m not fun, but thanks for bringing me.”

She peers up at me. “Are you kidding? You are fun. I understand why you don’t want to dance. I know it’s not for everyone, and that’s okay. As long as you’re here with us, that’s all that matters. Having you here is enough for us.”

I smile, but look away before I make things awkward. It may not mean anything to her, but hearing her say that means more than she’ll ever know.

We carry on through the crowd, being elbowed and stepped on, but we laugh it off and wave at our friends before we make it to the bar.

After we order, we stand to the side because all of the barstools are taken.

Gabby glances from side to side and then stares at me like she’s contemplating something.

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