Page 24 of I Blame the Alcohol

“Are you sure you want to hear this?”

I lean forward, butt cheeks already perched on the edge of the booth, “Absolutely. Tell me everything.”

If I can’t get my own happy ending, I may as well enjoy someone else’s.

Cody

I leave Stella for two minutes and she’s already filled our booth with new friends.

Carefully placing the water glass on the table, I look to see the couple we tried to out dance occupying the booth across from us. The sequins on Stella’s jeans sparkle as she shifts further down the seat, her red cowgirl boots looking like something out of a bad 80s movie.

“… and it was only when I bought her mom flowers that Keegan finally confessed she liked me too.”

The redhead rolls her eyes with a huff, “You forgot to mentionyouwere the one who insisted we keep things casual.”

“Did not.”

“Did too.”

I clear my throat as the couple falls into a glaring contest and look to Stella for clarification.

She lifts her shoulder in a delicate shrug, “I asked for Keegan and Jamar’s origin story, but we’ve arrived at a standoff.”

Stella’s dark blue eyes dance between the pair sitting across from us, neither of them backing down. I take the chance to study her side profile, her proud chin and pert nose drawing my attention to the shimmery powder dusted along her cheekbones. There’s yet to be an occasion where Stella doesn’t sparkle and yet she always puts in the effort to go just that little bit further.

“What about you two? How did you meet?”

I jolt at the deep voice, forgetting we were no longer at an empty booth. Stella blinks in surprise, the edges of her pink lips tugging downwards at the corners.

The sight of her frown pulls at something deep in my gut and before I know it, I’ve gone and opened my mouth.

“At the gym.”

Stella’s eyebrows shoot up past the brim of her hat and I see her eyes widening in shock. Her frown has all but disappeared, taking the ache in my chest with it.

I throw her a wink as if to say,play along.

“I watched her destroy this freshman at the gym and I was hooked. As soon as his head disappeared into the garbage can, I knew I had to make my move.”

Stella’s lips start to twitch, and I have to talk myself down from doing a fist pump. Keegan, meanwhile, looks like she may have developed a girl crush.

“You made a guy puke at the gym? That’s incredible.”

Jamar shoots his girlfriend a concerned glance, “Don’t get any ideas.”

Stella laughs, “I don’t normally make it a habit to break people, but this guy got under my skin.” Scooting a little bit closer, Stella flutters her eyelashes in my direction, “Little did I know this one wouldstayunder my skin.”

Ignoring the warning bells going off in my head, I throw an arm around my mentor’s younger sister and tug her close to me.

“What can I say? I’m a sucker for punishing blondes.”

Stella’s muscular frame leans into mine, the warmth radiating off her body making it hard to breathe. If I lowered my head just a couple inches my lips would be level with hers.

“Mm, and I just love a man who wears a cowboy hat.”

My laugh rumbles through us both, making me hyperaware of every point of contact between us.

Shoulder. Hip. Thigh.

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