Page 8 of So Wrong, It's Wright
Suddenly, understanding dawns on his glittery face. “Of course. Whiskey-dick. I mean, I’ve never experienced it. But I do know that it’s a thing. Especially when you’re of a certain age.” He reaches out and pats my knees, giving me an empathetic nod.
“Whiskey-what?” I start, my face scrunching up before I get what he means and start shaking my head. “No. I don’t have that issue. My…it…works just fine. I’m just not a ‘Mr. Right Now’, and even if I was, I’m not gonna take advantage of a drunk girl.”
“Oh, my stars. You’re agentleman. OK. I’m swooning over you now.” He fans at himself. “But don’t get any ideas, I’m an engaged man.” He flashes the rock on his left hand.
“I wouldn’t dare,” I say with a chuckle, getting up as Tahlia exits the bathroom and wobbles back in our direction with a smile on her face. Even drunk and a little messy, she’s still gorgeous. My heart thuds heavy in my chest, and my dick definitely doesn’t want to be a gentleman, but I have my faculties about me enough to know what’s right and wrong, so I’m going up to my room to get some sleep before I have to fly out again in the morning. And I’m going to do it alone.
“Are we leaving now?” Tahlia asks once she’s makes it back, her big green eyes looking up at me like she’s a little puppy I want to take home and take care of always. My heart kicks up to a gallop, and I’m rethinking the gentlemanly thing. Especially since evenIcan read the signs she’s giving me now.Stay strong, dude.
“I’m dead on my feet, so I’m heading up to my room,” I say. “Do you want me to walk you back to your room? Or you wanna to stay here with the others?”
Her expression changes as her eyes move from me to Darren. Darren holds out his hand to her. "You should stick around, baby girl. I mean, Ruby hasn't scratched up anyone's car yet, so I don't think the night is over until it's been recreated authentically."
Tahlia laughs as she drops into the chair I just vacated. “Well, in that case, I guess I'll stick around here a little longer," she says, sending a half-smile my way. "It was so great meeting you, Ash. I had a lot of fun tonight."
"Me too," I say, nodding as I slip my hands in my pockets and step back, noting that my cell is no longer there. I look around, feeling sure that's where I put it, but when I find it on the table, I realize I must be more drunk than I feel. I lean in and pick it up again. "Maybe I'll see you in a few weeks at Bradley’s christening?"
"Oh, yeah. Of course,” Tahlia says. “Darren and I are still fighting over godmother privileges. So, it will be a big thing to see who Ruby and Tanner pick."
"You know it's Theo and me this time,” Darren says. “You can have the second kid. Me and Bradley have a special bond." He flutters his lashes and turns away with a pout. Tahlia laughs.
“I’m still gonna fight you over it,” she teases before turning back to me and smiling. “So, I guess I’ll see you in a few weeks?”
“For sure. No tequila next time?”
“I don’t know,” she says with a coy smile. “Maybe I’ll want you to dance?”
With a soft chuckle, I lean in and brush my lips against the top of her head, catching the faint scent of her fruity shampoo. “Be good without me, OK?” I say as I straighten, and she nods. “And don’t let her puke.” I aim that last part at Darren who smirks and gives me a nod.
“I’ll take great care of her.”
“OK,” I say, before projecting my voice to the rest of the room. “Thanks for a fun night, guys. I’m dead tired, so I’m out of here.”
There’s a flurry of disappointed noises, goodbyes, and see you soons that follow me out the door. Then I’m in the elevator, enveloped in quiet while I kick myself for walking away, while also convincing myself that leaving was the best and right thing to do. I like Tahlia. I like her a lot. And a drunken fuck that she might regret in the morning isn’t what I want. Still, it’s lonely walking up that hall alone and back to my room. Worse still, when I slot my key into the door and the card doesn’t register. “What the hell?”
TAHLIA
“He is so hot,” Darren says, fanning himself with his fingers as we watch Ash leave. “And he just told you to be good. Doesn’t that turn you on? It turns me on. Holy freakin’ man.”
“Hereallyturns me on,” I say. “Butwhydoesn’t he like me?” I let out a groan, slumping in the chair while I feel sorry for myself. “I need another drink.”
“Oh, he does like you, boo,” Darren coos, lifting his hand and signaling to Theo, who nods then puts an order through the bar. I swear he lives to serve his queen. It’s glorious. “He’s just… I think he’s one of the good ones.”
I frown and sit up again. “What do you mean? Did he say something?”
“Well…”
“Here we are.” We’re interrupted when Theo brings over a couple of tall glasses filled with colorful liquid and topped with umbrellas and a pineapple slice. “I wasn't sure if this was a celebratory drink or drown-your-sorrows drink. So, I asked for this strongest, prettiest cocktail they had to cover both bases,” he says as he hands them over.
Darren takes a sip and nods appreciatively. “Oh, baby. This is delicious,” he says, taking another sip. “And strong. I wholeheartedly approve.” He nods toward me and I take a sip, the sweetness hitting my tongue before the strength of the alcohol hits the back of my throat, making me cough slightly.
“Wow. That packs a punch. Just what I needed. Thank you, Theo. You are a godsend.”
“So they tell me.” He says with a grin before a furrow crosses his brow and he squats down next to my chair. “This your phone?” He holds up my cell after scooping it up from the floor.
“Oh crap. I must have knocked it off the table. Is it OK?” I ask, taking it and checking that the screen isn’t cracked since I only just got it last week and haven’t even changed the wallpaper from the default. Thankfully, all looks fine, and my room card is still slotted in the case. So, no harm, no foul. “You just saved my ass.”
“Another day, another damsel,” Theo says before he shifts to the seat beside Darren. “So what are you two girls lamenting over here?”
