Page 30 of In The Dark
“Skyler Buchanan.”
“The blonde, right? Who does the silks?”
I smile. “That’s her.”
“If you track her down, I’d love to thank her for bringing you to my haunted house.” Hunter moves his hand to my face and cups my cheek. “My world has flipped upside down because of it.”
It’s far too romantic of a thing for him to say, but my silly, stupid heart falls for it anyway, and I have to hold back a grin.
“Are you here with anyone other than your roommate?” I ask.
I never considered what his relationship status might be, and I’m hesitant to hear the answer.
“I’m not. There are currently no women in my life, and cheating has never been a turn on for me. What about you, Max? Are you here with anyone other than your best friend?”
“No. I’m single. I broke up with my ex a couple months ago after I found out he was cheating on me. I haven’t been with anyone since, and now I’m realizing I’m rambling and talking way too much. You didn’t ask for my dating history.” I take a long sip of my drink and let out a nervous laugh. “You’re really intimidating.”
“Am I?” Hunter stands in front of me. “Are you afraid of me?”
“Afraid? No. Not at all. You’re just… way too hot to be talking to someone like me.”
“The flattery continues.” He flashes me a devilish grin. “You don’t think you’re attractive?”
“I’m not sure you want to hear about my lack of self-confidence, so I’ll spare you the details.”
“I’d like to hear everything you have to say, Max.”
“Everything?”
“Everything,” he repeats.
“Do you want to know about my childhood first?” I tip my head to the side and swirl my straw around in my drink, smiling when I catch him watching me intently. “Or what I do for work?”
“Let me guess. You seem helpful. I get the impression that you enjoy talking to people. Calm demeanor, but not afraid to speak your mind. Are you a nurse, Max?”
“I’m a teacher. But I’ll give you a half point because I considered going to medical school once upon a time.”
“What made you change paths?”
“I can’t handle the sight of blood, and it turns out that’s a big component of being a doctor. I couldn’t even look at the fake bodies at Fright Nights with their guts coming out of their stomach without gagging.” I shiver. “Disgusting.”
Hunter laughs. “You get used to it. What grade do you teach?”
“First, and I love it so much. I don’t make a ton of money. I work long hours, but I’m fulfilled. Sitting in an office wouldn’t bring me the joy I find in a classroom, so I’ve stuck with it.”
“Teachers are superheroes. I have a lot of admiration for the people who had to put up with my obnoxious ass when I was a kid.”
“You weren’t a perfectly behaved child? I’m shocked.”
“Behaved? Yes. Talkative, fidgety, and someone with too much energy? Also, yes.”
“Ah. I have a few of those students in my class. They’re also the smartest ones, and I have a feeling they’re going to go on to be very successful.”
“Do you want to take a walk?” He leans forward, keeping his eyes on me as his lips wrap around the straw in my drink. He watches me while he swallows a sip, a drop of liquor stuck to the corner of his mouth. “Maybe somewhere quieter?”
“Oh.” I steal my drink back and finish off the alcohol then set the empty glass on a nearby table. “I’d like that.”
Hunter smiles and offers me his hand. I let him lead me through the throngs of people. He stops a few times to say helloto someone, but he makes it quick, his attention never straying far from me.
