Page 52 of One Last Wish

“You don’t need my number. I’m hereeveryweek.”

“What are you doing later?”

“After this drink, I’m going back home with my roommate.”

“Did you want some company?” He winked, grabbing the empty glasses I’d brought with me.

“You ask me thateveryweek,” I snorted.

“Say yes and I’ll stop.” For a second, I contemplated it. A quick hook up was probably what I needed right now, but something stopped me. “Same again?” The barman sighed, watching me shake my head.

“Was the barman trying to get your number again?” Evelyn asked when I came back with our drinks.

“Yeah. I considered it for a second, too. Ugh! I’mtoohorny! This is ridiculous.”

“Wait until Saturday. You’ll get a release one way or another. Charlie is meant to be incredible with his tongue.”Nope, didn’t work. I still thought about Darce.

“You mean to tell me youhaven’tbeen there?”

“Bitch, I’m not a total whore. I have to leave a few guys in my class out.”

“Just a few?” I giggled, sipping my drink. “Well, at least I’ll know I won’t be getting your sloppy seconds.” Evelyn choked, laughing into her drink.

This weekend was going to be eventful, that was for sure.

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“THANK YOU FOR AGREEINGto let me help you,” Daisy beamed while I was showing her my ideas for the Fae Ball. “I love your forest theme.”

“There are a lot of things we’ll need to make. Malcolm is waiting for the budget we can spend, but with the author being in attendance, it should be a decent amount of money.”

“I’ve never been to a ball before! I can’t wait to get a dress. Ned has already said he’ll be my date.”

“We’ll all beworking,” I pointed out. “I don’t think there will be much time for dancing.”

“Darce ensured us there would be. Is it true that you’re trying to get a string quartet?”

“I’m looking into it. What else has Darce told you?”

“That you’re amazing and this ball will be spectacular.” It was Darce’s day off today. I couldn’t stop the pangs of jealousy, imagining him and Nyx spending the time together. He’d said that he lived with others, but it was only the two of them I kept picturing. “Who are you going to the ball with? Theo or Darce?”

“I’m not going with either of them. It’s aworkday!”

“Theo is going to ask you out today. Darce has been bigging him up to do it.”Of course Darce has!“Don’t tell them I told you! Darce told me that you’re warming to Theo a little.”

“I wouldn't quite put it that way. I’m agreeing to go on a date to prove a point.”

“Theo is smitten with you. He has been for the last few years. Don’t hurt him.”

“I’m not planning on hurting him, Daisy. I need to make him understand something, that’s all.”

“So you’re really going to say yes when he asks?”

“Yeah, I’ll go on one date with Theo.”

Once Daisy left me, I noticed that Theo was watching me from the display stand that he was tidying up. The guy looked pale, like he might throw up. How could he be nervous when he already knew that I was going to say yes.

“Hi, Alora,” he finally greeted me, walking over to the cashier’s desk. “I...So...I...umm...What are your plans next week?”

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