Page 98 of How to Lose at Love

“What if we come anyway? He won’t have a problem dropping us off at home,” she presses.

Winnie takes her by the forearm. “Let’s let her be alone with him, shall we? He always has people up his ass, and I’m sure he’s tired.”

My friend winks at me.

“But—” It seems Sav is ready with another argument before Winnie interrupts her.

“Come on, Sav, let’s hop on a shuttle. I’ll text Rookie and see where they’re partying tonight.”

They.

His fraternity brothers and co.

“Thank you,” I mouth to her, grateful she’s saving me from an uncomfortable situation.

Sav is deflated and annoyed at missing her chance, which wasn’t an actual chance to begin with, but I can see she resents me in this moment.

“Fine.”

I hug them both and walk in what I can only assume is the correct direction, only stopping to ask one person wearing a STAFF vest if I’m going the right way.

I am.

Nervous once I reach the door, I place a hand on my stomach to calm it before pushing through, stepping out into the cool autumn air, grateful I’m bundled up in all this gameday gear.

I glance around, eyes scanning the busy parking lot, cars slowly creeping through the aisles with one goal: working toward the exit.

My phone buzzes.

Winnie:

Did you find him?

Not yet…

Just checking to see if you’ve been murdered in the parking lot or not.

Nope, still alive. Plenty of people on the off chance I need to scream.

Still scanning the lot, still no sight of Dal—

Oop. Spoke too soon.

There he is.

Leaning against his truck like some kind of hero in a movie, watching me walk toward him, arms and legs crossed. Skin red, hair damp.

He’s like Jake Ryan inSixteen Candlescome to life, and if you’ve never seen that movie, it’s an oldie but a classic my mother used to make me watch when I was still at home.

Do yourself a favor and Google it.

Dallas is dressed in a rumpled sleeveless T-shirt, track pants, and a tired expression.

I raise a hand to greet him. “Hey.”

He yawns. “Hey back.”

I glance around. “So. Here we are.” My hands rise. “In the parking lot.”

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