Page 73 of The Boys Next Door

“Not you,” she said quickly. “The movie. Bad timing. Sorry.”

“You think things getting blown up are funny?”

Right. A statue had just detonated on the screen, debris flying everywhere.

“I have a quirky sense of humor.” Gulping, she tried to get a hold of herself. How dare Ian try to ruin her date? For the rest of the movie, she refused to look across the aisle. She could barely focus on the screen or on Alex. When he tried to take her glasses off and kiss her again, she whispered excuses. And wondering if Ian was watching, or not watching, with Brendan there too —

As soon as the movie was over, she practically dragged Alex out of the theatre. No, she didn’t need to stay for the credits. But once they made it to the bright lights of the lobby, Alex said he'd be back in a minute and disappeared toward the restrooms.

Diana buried her face in the fountain for a long drink. She needed to think straight. Keep her cool. When she stood, wiping the dripping water from her chin, a twin leaned against the wall next to her. Hands in his pockets, eyes on her face.

Up close, Ian didn’t seem to have gotten a full night’s sleep in awhile. Still gorgeous, still athletic, but deep circles shadowed his eyes. He looked paler, and his dark freckle stood out against his skin. She steeled herself not to care. More than likely, he was out partying ’til all hours, boozing and smoking up and getting women to spread their legs for him.

Behind him, she saw Brendan, standing by the popcorn counter with the twins’ friends, glancing casually at the two of them. When she met his eyes, he gave her a little half-wave. Probably expected the three of them to get all cozy again. She responded with a curt nod and turned back to Ian.

“Don’t even think about ruining my date.”

Ian ran a hand through his wavy brown hair, making it messier. Diana wished he hadn’t. It just made her want to grab his hair too, and pull, guiding his head down to—She shook her own head impatiently, and Ian shoved his hands in his pockets again.

“Having fun?” he asked.

“None of your business.”

“Seems like a nice guy.” Ian shrugged. “Put him on a leash and you'll have a cute pet.”

“I didn't ask you.”

“Come on, Diana.” A hint of dimple showed. “We both know you could eat him for breakfast.”

“I’ll stick with Rice Krispies, thanks.” Dammit, she was not going to let Ian make her laugh again. “And I bet you don’t know when breakfast is anymore, ‘cause you’re not sleeping. You look like hell.”

“Yeah. Someone keeps playing moody electronica next door.”

Diana couldn’t hold back a smile now. “Well, your splashing is keeping me awake.”

“Well,”he mimicked, “you should wear sunscreen when you lie out. All your skin’s gonna peel off.”

Unbelievable. Ian was actually pulling a shred of skin off her bare shoulder. The brush of his thumb on her flushed skin sent a hot current of need through her body. Her nipples hardened, pressing against her sundress, and her pussy ached with sudden desire.

“What’s the worst that can happen? My insides will fall out?” She slapped his hand away.

“Diana, look—“ He fixed his eyes on hers. Oh God. That pleading gaze was going to melt her into a puddle, and it was probably all an act anyway — she’d seen the way he’d puppy-dogged her mom into believing they’d spent a completely platonic night together in her bed.

“I am looking,” she said in a low voice. And she didn’t want to stop. Her hand was two seconds away from stroking the freckle under his eye.

“Hey there,” said a voice behind her. She turned, so relieved Alex had shown up that she pecked his cheek.

“Hey,” she said. “Let’s go.”

But Alex wasn’t moving. “Are you…yeah, you’re one of the O’Brian twins,” he was saying to Ian, sounding…happy. Excited.

“Yep. Ian.” And Ian was actually holding out his hand, giving Alex a firm handshake like he was a person with manners. “And you are?”

“Sorry,” Diana said grudgingly. “I should have introduced you guys.” Clearly she was still a nice girl, too polite for her own good. “This is Alex Noriega. We just graduated together.”

“Hey, you were responsible for that prank with the principal’s car and the pink spray paint, right? And the shrink wrap? People are still talking about it two years later. That was gold, man,” Alex gushed.

Diana wanted to kick him. So much for Alex saving the day. Ian nodded modestly, then launched into a drawling story about covering some door on the UConn campus with marshmallows. That story turned into another story. Alex hung on to every word, while Diana could only seethe.

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