Page 23 of Girl Going Nowhere

My brows pinch at his offer like it’s a foreign one. Plenty of men have asked for my number, and sometimes I’m dumb enough to give it to them. But since the last guy I slipped my number to was sleazy Trevor, I’ve been pickier about handing it out. “Why would we exchange numbers?”

He levels with me, those familiar eyes darkening with a lust I know well. “Because I’m determined to repay the favor,” he replies in a low tone as people pass by us to get to the bathrooms. His heated gaze pinning me to my spot. “What’s the harm, Blake? We exchange numbers, flirt, maybe hookup if we both want to. Doesn’t sound so bad to me. We’re only here for the weekend, anyway.”

Of course, it doesn’t sound bad.

In fact, the possibility gets me way more excited than I wish it did. Everybody told me to have fun this weekend, and the old version of me would take him up on his offer to do exactly that. But this is my weekend with Emily, which I rarely get now that we’re both older with our own responsibilities. It’s not right to ditch her and decompress by letting a hot guy bury himself inside me.

I let out a genuine sigh. “Unfortunately, there are certain parts of me on lockdown for the weekend. I haven’t seen my best friend in a while, so spending time with her is more important than whatever this is between us.”

Even if my insides are crying over it.

Being a responsible adult sucks.

“Your number,” he tries anyway, plucking his phone out of his pocket.

My eyes narrow. Does he not get it? “You’re determined. I don’t know if I should find that sexy or annoying.”

A grin is the only thing he gives me.

I think about it.

Two seconds.

Four seconds.

Ten seconds pass.

I don’t know why I do it, but I sigh and give him the digits.

A victorious smirk flashes on his face as he dials the new contact in his phone until my purse begins buzzing from an incoming call.

“Really?”

“Had to make sure it was really your number,” he remarks unapologetically as I grab my phone. “Now you have my number. Save it under ‘Guy with Blue Balls.’”

I snort at the remark. “That’s scientifically not a thing, and I definitely made sure your balls were perfectly fine last time.”

He leans in, planting a hand against the wall by my head, and stares down at me. He’s much taller than I thought, especially when those pretty amber eyes pierce mine. “Oh, trust me. I remember.”

I swallow at the low tone of his voice that caresses the small distance between us.

I want so badly to stand on my tiptoes and press my lips to his just to see what they taste like. They’re inviting. Fuller than a lot of guys’ lips usually are. I bet they’re delicious.

No.I take a step back. “Goodbye, Rafael.”

“It’s just Raf.”

I look over my shoulder at him as I walk away, pausing only momentarily. “I’ll forever remember you as ‘Guy with Blue Balls.’”

He chuckles as I wave at him and find my way back to Emily.

She offers me her arm, clueless of how far I’ve come simply by turning a man down. “Ready?”

I don’t look back, no matter how big the pull is. Wrapping my arm around hers, I smile. “Yep.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

Finn

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