Page 29 of Promise Me Nothing
So this Hannah that I am right now feels new. She’s flirting and smirking and giving back sass to a hot guy. Playing hard-to-get.
Is that what I’m doing? Playing hard-to-get?
It feels like a rush of caffeine after going without for so long.
He’s handsome, yes. Undoubtedly. A strong jaw, a little bit of scruff, that smile that makes me weak-kneed, and a muscular frame that hints at quite a rigorous workout schedule.
But I also like talking to him. We’ve only exchanged a few words today, a few last night, but I already see him as someone who would keep me on my toes.
Spar with me.
And I like that.
Even more? I like that I like it.
Finding someone to spar with for fun is so much better than someone who kicks you when you’re down.
“I haven’t decided yet,” I finally say, sticking with honesty.
He laughs, his head falling back and exposing his neck. “Well, what can I do to convince you one way or another?” he asks, looking back at me with a gleam of laughter in his eyes. “Because one reaction will get me a date. The other will get me a date with a police officer.”
I chew on the edge of my lip, a habit I’ve been unable to break since childhood, but release it immediately when I see his eyes drop to my mouth.
Maybe I will say yes to him, though for another night.
Obviously I’m busy this evening with the yacht club thing with Lucas. But it couldn’t really hurt anything to get a drink with an attractive guy.
Right?
Before I can respond, a young girl approaches us and taps his arm.
I told the hostess we were both here. She said it would be a few minutes,she signs.
Then she looks at me, and I can’t help but beam at her. Part of me wants to just bust out the sign language, tell her I can sign, too. But that’s pretty forward of me, to assume she’ll get as excited about talking with me as I would be to talk to her.
Now that I’m not spending regular time with Lissy and Melanie, I realize how big a part of my life sign language was. I kind of miss it.
I thought you were going to spend time with me,she says to Pier Guy, but her eyes glance back at me.Can’t you flirt with tourists some other time?
I blush, look down.
Well then.
“Ivy, I’m talking to someone. Can you give me a minute?” He both says it and signs it, probably for my benefit.
Ivy smiles at me, then looks up at Pier Guy.This is me rolling my eyes. Just get her number and put it in your phone with all the others. I’d like to spend time with my brother without him flirting, for once.
She gives me one more fake grin, then walks off, headed for the row of chairs set up outside of Mary’s for waiting customers.
“Sorry about that,” he says to me, taking another step closer and crossing his arms, emphasizing his muscles and a tattoo that peeks out from under his right sleeve. He looks me up and down, seduction evident in his eyes. “So. Harbor’s? I’d love to take you for drinks.”
I smile, though the joy in my expression has diminished slightly. In the last two minutes, something changed. We went from playful banter to… something else entirely. It felt like we were chatting before. Like we were friends who knew each other in some way. And now?
Now it feels like I’m a conquest. And that’s not the side of things I want to be on.
“Unfortunately I have plans tonight with my brother.”
“Ah, come on,” he says, giving me that charming smile that probably gets him out of, or in to, anything. “You were about to say yes just a second ago.”
