“Good. Robbie just cares a lot, and he’s worried that I’m rushing into all of this.”
He delivers a concerned look and finishes chewing before he speaks. “Do you feel like you are?”
“No. I mean, I got hit by a car trying to tell the person I love that I want to be with them, so I think I owe it to myself to find out who it is.”
“I think you do too.” Tyler nods and drinks his beer. “Any update on your memories?”
“Nope, they’re still MIA,” I say with a shrug.
Robbie returns to the table carrying a shot glass in each hand. They’re filled with an amber-colored liquid. I glance at the shots and then back at Robbie. What is he doing? I don’t know Robbie—well, I do, I just don’t remember that I know him—but this doesn’t seem like Robbie behavior.
I shoot an accusatory look at him. “I thought you were going to use the restroom?”
“I did, and then I got me and my new friend, Tyler, here a shot.” He places one in front of Tyler and holds his up.
“I really shouldn’t,” Tyler says.
“Oh, come on.” Robbie gestures to the shot in front of him.
Tyler sighs. “Fine,” he says, picking it up and clinking it against Robbie’s. “Cheers.” They toss the shots back.
Robbie’s face twists up and his lips pucker like he was just sucking on a lemon. Tyler has no reaction to it. It’s like he drank water instead of alcohol. Robbie immediately flags down the server.
“Two more,” he says, holding up the shot glass and still trying to compose himself from the first one.
She smiles and nods.
“Robbie, do you think that’s a good idea?” I ask.
“I’d argue it’s a great idea,” he says.
I roll my eyes and sigh, knowing full well he’s wrong.
“Sorry about him,” I say to Tyler. We’re standing outside the restaurant just a couple of feet apart, ready to finally call it a night. I wanted to leave an hour ago, but Robbie kept insisting on one more, and now he’s had five more too many.
“It’s all right. Man, he sure knows how to party.” Tyler chuckles and glances over at Robbie, who’s leaned up against a pole a few yards from us. He’s drawing a lot of attention from people passing by.
Robbie’s hand slips off the pole. He jerks forward, banging his head against it. “Ow!” he says. He rubs his temple while trying to get himself in an upright position.
“He does not know how to party,” I say with a laugh.
“You sure you don’t need my help getting him home?” Tyler offers.
“Yeah, it’s just a couple of blocks away, and you should get back to your friends.”
He slips his hands into the front pockets of his jeans and rocks back on his heels. “Okay.” We glance over at Robbie again. He’s now found himself a bench and is seated on the edge of it, completely folded over, mumbling.
“I’m excited for our date tomorrow,” he says, stealing my attention.
“Me too.”
Tyler licks his top lip, while his gaze runs over my face. It’s like he’s deciding whether or not to kiss me. And then he just goes for it. He leans down, planting his warm lips on mine. It happens so fast that my eyes stay open, but I kiss him back for a split second before pulling away.
“Kissy, kissy,” Robbie mumbles.
I glance over my shoulder. He’s still in the same position, but he’s lifted his head so he’s staring right back at me.
“I should go,” I say to Tyler.