Page 103 of How to Win the Girl

“Why areyouover here alone?”

“I’m not alone. You’re here,” she flirts.

I shift on my heels, wanting another beer. “I’m not great company.”

“Tonight or in general?”

I consider her question and answer honestly. “Depends on the company.”

It takes Karla several seconds to register the jab. “Ouch.” She pauses. “I don’t know if I should take that personally.”

“Take it however you want,” I grumble, then add, “No offense,” in case she decides I’m a major dick and goes telling her friends about it. It’s not Karla’s fault I’m preoccupied—she’s cute. Any other night, I might be game for flirting or for her to hit on me, but tonight is not that night.

My loss?

Perhaps.

We’ll never know.

“None taken.” Karla doesn’t seem all that put out, but I suspect she knew what she was in for when she came to stand beside me. I also suspect she’s standing here for a reason that has nothing to do with hitting on me—or flirting.

More power to her.

twenty-nine

daisy

Single but I ignore people like I’m taken.

“He’s been standingup there with that blond girl this entire time.”

Drew follows my gaze up to the porch, nodding while he takes a sip from the beer cup in his hand, casually eyeing his brother without making it obvious.

“Yeah, I noticed. Doesn’t seem like they’re havin’ any fun.” He takes another sip. “You just had to go and tell him you wanted to come to a frat party, didn’t you.”

I groan. “I’m so sorry. I hit send on the message before I thought it through.” And now we’re stuck here drinking cheap beer and listening to a terrible soundtrack while other girls flirt with Drake Colter.

Which I’m sure happens on the regular.

“We can try to have fun at least,” he laments. “Make the most of it before we bounce. Let’s call it in, say”—he checks the time on his wrist—“forty-five?”

I nod. “Plenty of time to drive him crazy.”

“He does look agitated.”

I turn my head to look.

“Don’t look!” Drew says.

“Why?”

“I said don’t look. He’s watchin’ us.”

He’s watchingyouare Drew’s unspoken words.

“Damn,” he whistles. “I’ve never seen him act this way.”

“Actwhatway?”

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