Page 22 of Fall I Want
“One for everyone,” he announces, and she walks away.
When I’m not able to take his closeness any longer, I scoot away, creating much-needed space. I can’t sit that close to him, I’ll internally combust. It’s short-lived because he moves toward me, not allowing me to escape him that easily.
Asshole.
Honestly, I could use five more drinks now that he’s here.
When the fresh margaritas arrive, I gulp down my shot, not waiting for anyone else.
Julie and Blaire are giddy as they glance at us. They don’t have to say anything, we’ve been friends long enough for me to know what they’re thinking.
“Stop,” I say, not wanting them to play matchmaker. I don’t need the extra pressure. This beautiful bastard has already put enough on me byforcingan IOU out of me.
“Did you tell your friends how you broke into my house and gave yourself a tour?” Alex asks in his velvety voice, glancing at me.
Julie’s and Blaire’s eyes widen, their assumptions confirmed.
I remember how tightly he held me against him. I swallow hard and so does he, as if he’s replaying it too.
“Actually, she said she couldn’t talk about it,” Julie tells him.
I kept my promise to him, even though I don’t believe he deserves it.
I groan. “He left the door unlocked.”
Blaire meets Alex’s gaze. “You know that house is haunted, right?”
“Autumn warned me. How many ghosts are there again?”
“Three,” Julie confirms. “Apparently, what happened there was horrific.”
“Yeah, and I vaguely recall the boy and girl who lived there,” I admit. My blood feels as if it’s bubbling. “I met them one year at the pumpkin patch.”
“How long ago was that?” Alex asks.
“Over twenty years. I was ten going on eleven,” I say.
It’s what started my obsession with Hollow Manor. Sometimes I think I imagined meeting them.
He narrows his eyes and we stay locked in a trance together.
Julie clears her throat and I glance at her, realizing I was lost in him. Damn it.
I change the subject. “So did anything happen last night during the new moon? Apparently, that’s when spirits haunt.”
“The only peculiar thing that happened since I’ve arrived at Cozy Hollow was finding you inside my house,” he says, taking his tequila shot. He licks the rim and places the lime between his lips. I’ve never been so jealous of a fruit in my whole life. I try to pretend he doesn’t exist.
“I’m surprised you didn’t have her arrested,” Julie mutters, watching him. She’s trying to unlock him as she studies his mannerisms. After this meeting, I’ll get her full opinion on him because she is never wrong about anyone.
“Autumn convinced me I shouldn’t,” he tells her.
“How’d she do that?” Blaire asks.
He glances at me. “By being herself.”
“Aww,” Julie says, and I shake my head.
“He’s playing games. Don’t fall for it.” I’m not wowed by his ability to woo them. It’s obvious he’s been trained to be charming, especially with looks like his.
