Page 62 of My Irresistible Enemy

Maybe I could get up and get some water? But moving right now seemed very difficult, like it would require a coordination of arms and legs that I was no longer sure I could manage, and the drinks table was all the way over on the other side of the dance floor.

“For me, it was Britney, ‘Toxic,’ this morning. But you probably heard that, actually. Come to think of it, you don’t really strike me as a shower singer. And I would have heard you, wouldn’t I, if you were. The walls at the Wisteria aren’t that thick.”

The Wisteria. What I wouldn’t have given to be back there right now, lying down. My head was pounding. Not in pain, exactly, but it felt like it was made out of jello and throbbing in time with the music.

“Nolan?”

I looked at Aiden.

“You still with me?”

“Sorry, I just—whoa.” I shook my head, then brought a hand to it. It felt like it was going to fall off. “Fuck, I’m dizzy.”

Aiden’s eyes narrowed as he scrutinized me. I stared back, trying to focus. He was so cute, even if he did look like he had three heads right now.

“I don’t wanna freak you out,” he said gently, “but can I just…?”

He slid closer and put a hand on my shoulder. Was he trying to kiss me? I felt like I should say no. I felt like there was some reason I didn’t want him to do that.

But right now, I couldn’t remember it. Couldn’t remember anything except how clear his eyes were, how intensely they were trained on me.

That, and the feeling of his lips on mine. I remembered that all too well. And now that I thought about it, would it really be so bad to feel that again?

Aiden was a good kisser. And so responsive. I’d liked kissing him, even though I shouldn’t have.

“Nolan,” Aiden said, bringing his other hand to my chin and turning me back to look at him. I hadn’t realized I’d drifted off again.

“S’there a camera?” I asked. “S’okay, you can do it if you want.”

He pulled back, his brow furrowing even more. “What are you talking about?”

“I just—if you wanted—you could—”

I raised a hand and touched my lips, then tried to bring my fingertips over to his mouth. Aiden caught my hand in mid-air and brought it low, shaking his head.

Fuck. I’d misread things. Why had I assumed he wanted to kiss me? With the amount that I’d upset him tonight, it was a miracle he was still talking to me.

Maybe I should apologize again? It suddenly seemed very important that Aiden knew I was sorry, not just for tonight, but for all the other times I’d been short with him. That it wasn’t his fault. That I was just—

“Nolan, are you sure you’re alright?”

“M’fin. Jshh thikpng. Yountnomsry.”

Whoops. That hadn’t come out right. Why was it so hard to talk all of a sudden? I needed a nap. Maybe I’d be able to speak more clearly if I could just get some sleep first.

“Jesus, what the hell happened to you?” Aiden looked at my empty glass. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were drunk. Except IknowI got you non-alcoholic punch, and I didn’t mix the glasses up because mine still tastes like booze.”

“Nolcol. Donrnk,” I said, then shook my head again. That hadn’t come out right either. Why did my lips feel so fuzzy?

“I think you might need to lie down,” Aiden said.

I nodded. Or tried to, anyway, but the motion made me dizzy again. He was right, though.

“S’okay. Albfin.”

I put a hand on the seat of the bench and tried to lower myself down horizontally. I just wanted to close my eyes. Everything was too bright and too dark, all at once.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, nothere.” Aiden grabbed my arm and pulled me upright. “I meant at the inn. We need to get you back there.”

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