Page 178 of Breaking the Rules
That I don't care what he does or why.
But the thought still bounces around my brain.
What the hell is his deal?
I let Dean pour me a rum and coke. Shift into bantering with my friends.
Dean teases about playing Never Have I Ever.
Leighton rolls her eyes and settles into Ryan's lap.
Walker makes dirty jokes until his girlfriend is blushing.
Everything is okay. I'm with my friends. I'm laughing. I'm buzzed.
Then the door swings open.
A guy with gorgeous blue eyes—the same as Hunter's—steps inside. He runs a hand through his sandy hair. Flashes me a panty-melting smile. "You must be Emma."
"Wes?" God, he's exactly as Hunter described him.
He nods. "The one and only."
I offer my hand to shake.
He takes it, bows—really bows—and places a kiss on the back of my hand.
I giggle. "Not sure this is the occasion."
He straightens himself. "It's always the occasion for theatrics." He holds up an enormous wrapped package. "Where can I put this?"
I lead him to the counter.
It's not flush with presents, but there is something from everyone.
We want Hunter to belong.
To believe he should be here.
He…
I…
Ahem.
Wes's gaze shifts to Hunter (he's still pretending he's not watching). "Can I tell you a secret, Emma?"
"Sure."
"Thought you sounded hot as fuck when you called Blacklist."
"Oh. Thanks." My gaze flits to Hunter for a second, then it's back on Wes. "I mean, that's kind of weird, since I don't know you—"
"You were at our place once. For a party," he says. "You were little. Ten, maybe."
"Oh. With the basketball hoop in the pool?" I ask
He nods. "Exactly."
