Page 23 of Friend Me

“Why’s that?”

Shit. I sucked in the cool night air to make my brain work better. I hadn’t meant to tell Tyler about Dad’s problems. When I told friends I needed to care for him, they never believed me. Even if they met him on one of his bad days, they asked me why he was my problem, why he couldn’t live in a nursing home. Regardless, they thought I was making excuses and stopped inviting me out. No one understood. Except for Alicia, who had her own nephew to care for. So far, Tyler had been persistent. He kept asking me to happy hours and softball leagues and parties. But maybe if I told him about my home life, he’d give up on me, too. And I wanted to hold on to Tyler. Especially with Alicia’s life changing.

“Oh, you know, he gets lonely all day at home. If I don’t go home on time, he might start watching cable news. And then I’d have to start caring about politics.”

Tyler chuckled. “Can’t have that.”

Crisis averted. I stood. “Walk me back to the inn?”

He cast an assessing glance over me that sent shivers down my neck.

I whacked his arm. “I didn’t mean it likethat,you—you. I’m not sure I can make it back without twisting an ankle.”

“Of course, Lady Rice.” He rose to his feet and gave me a mock bow and another flourish with his arm while he cocked his elbow for me. I slipped my hand through and squeezed his biceps. His rock-hard biceps.

The night was clear with a waning gibbous moon to light the path back to the inn. A cool breeze sighed through the vineyard to our right, stirring up the sweet aroma of fallen grapes that’d missed the harvest. Tyler’s mass and warmth protected me from the chill I hadn’t anticipated when I’d left the inn earlier in my thin dress.

The lights of the inn glowed ahead of us. How did one end a fake date? With a fake kiss? Or a real one? My brain, sticky with wine, stalled on the question. What would his lips feel like on mine? Would there be a spark like when he’d touched my ass?

I bit the inside of my cheek to focus. No, this was Tyler. There would be no kissing. Or any more wine to jumble up my thoughts.

At last, we reached the inn’s porch.

“Well, this is me,” I said, releasing his arm and leaning on the stair rail for support.

He shoved his hands into his pockets. “Do you need me to walk you to your room?”

“No.” I jutted out my chin and, as proof, let go of the rail. Surprising even myself, I remained upright. “Thank you.”

“Just asking.” In the lamplight, Tyler’s pupils had all but consumed the hazel irises.

“You won’t try to drive back to your hotel, will you?”

“Nah, I’ll get a ride with someone. Don’t worry about me.” He looked down at his Vans.

Now I was sorry I’d been so curt. We’d had fun, and it hadn’t been awkward…until now. And that was my fault. “Friends worry about each other. So be safe tonight. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to my wedding date.”

That made him look up and grin. “See you tomorrow, wedding date.”

I couldn’t help smiling back. “Good night, wedding date.”

“Drink some water,” was the last thing I heard as I climbed the steps, clinging to the rail.

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