Page 16 of Ready or Not
Annoying.
Persistent.
Impossible to ignore.
Reminding me that I needed to decide what I wanted and whether I was ready to reach for it, or if I’d let it slip through my fingers like so many other things.
9 /SOLÈNE
“You ready to end thenight, butterfingers?”
“Hm?”
“I asked if you’re ready to end the night…” Desiderio asked me as he led me out of the speakeasy. “Or if you want to spend some more time together.”
I pulled my phone out of my bag to check the time.
1:57 AM.
Though a part of me wanted to call it a night, another part of me didn’t want it to end. I was having the most fun with him that I had in ages, and the thought of going home now would feel like shutting a book halfway through a thrilling chapter, the kind you never want to put down.
And I found myself becoming addicted.
Looking down at my phone, I checked the time again.
1:59 AM.
Twelve texts from the group chat, asking me to update them on how my night was going. Quickly unlocking my phone to shoot the group chat message, I typed out,Still alive. I’m having fun. Don't wait up.
“They’re wondering if I killed you yet?”
I slid my phone back into my bag. "Nope. Just being nosy. Asking me what time I'll be home since I got Pilates at noon tomorrow."
"Yun’s right?”
“Yup. Every Saturday,” I looked up at him, smiling. “You really do pay attention.”
He grinned. “I do.”
“So," he continued as he stopped at the bottom of the speakeasy home’s steps. "What's the verdict? Do we call it here and I call you an Uber, or do we let it stretch just a little longer?"
“I could go either way,” I shrugged. “Depends on what you have in mind.”
“Gotta make the decision,” he said, stepping closer, his eyes lit with a playful challenge. "'Cause if you leave it up to me, I’m gonna decide to keep you out till the sun comes up."
“Well,” I tilted my head, my heart somersaulting in my chest at his maddening smirk. “You haven’t convinced me yet.”
He feigned offense. “Oh, so now I gotta convince you? After spending the last couple of hours charming you?”
“Mhm.”
His grin grew wider as he took a step closer.
"Bet," Desi said, his voice dropping just enough to make my pulse quicken. He dipped his head a little, locking me in that gaze of his that felt less like looking and more like falling. In that moment, my body betrayed me and leaned in closer, closing the gap he’d left hanging like an invitation. My mind spoke incoherent thoughts—drawing up scenarios a lady shouldn’t entertain, my pulse roared in my ears, and my breath hitched when his hand brushed against mine.
His smirk deepened.
Without breaking eye contact, he slipped his fingers between mine, as though it had been made to fit just there. His thumbbrushed against my knuckles in a simple, absent-minded motion that sent shivers racing up my spine.
