Page 7 of I Love You, So What?

“I see, and how do you determine who is worthy?” I play into her game.

“Eh, it’s typically based on my mood more than anything else. A vibrator can only do so much for a girl.”

I nearly choke on my beer. I can’t tell if she’s drunk or if this is how she is, but it’s not what I expected. Not that I would have known what to expect. I haven’t spent any real time with the girl and only had a handful of conversations with her over two months ago. I only came over here because I was trying to escape a girl who was attempting to hit on me with an annoying one-sided conversation. Also because she’s really hot.

She shrugs, a sly smile on her face, like this conversation is as plain as talking about the weather.

“Well alright then. Sounds like you’re not the kind of girl who needs a wingman.”

“Definitely not. Mack knows that. If I want something–or someone–I’m more than capable of getting it on my own. He mistakenly assumed what I wanted was you.”

“You sure know a way to a guy’s heart, don’t ya?” I joke.

“Nope. Just the way to their pants, and that’s a totally different game.” She smirks at me. She’s not completely wrong.

I change the subject before we get too far down that path. I do not need to think about sex with anyone complicated. “Doesn’t Mack know us hooking up might be weird considering we’ve both fucked the other’s best friend?”

“Yeah, he’s missing some key information.” Her smirk falters for only a second, but I catch it. I wonder what thought crossed her mind.

My memory flashes to Vegas, my eyes drifting to the corner of the room. I replay hooking up with Maci with a view of the Strip. That was a fun night.

“Ewww, can you not think about fucking my best friend right now.” Lexy’s mocking voice pulls me out of my head.

I laugh and give her a dramatic eye roll that lands on her. “Hey, from what I heard, I wasn’t the only one who had fun in Vegas.” I add a wink for effect.

“Life is too short not to have a good time or be one.” She leans back in her seat and drinks the last sip of her beer before setting it on the table.

Sounds like something I would say, at least ever since I got over Emily.

“You two want another round?” The waitress saves me from the downward thought spiral I do not need.

I wasn’t planning on staying much longer. The way girls are on the prowl for midnight kisses tonight is such a turn off. Desperation is unattractive. Sometimes I really hate California. I’m sure someone would be offended if I lumped all Californians together, but overall the people in Oregon are higher quality, at least from what I’ve seen.

I look over at Lexy. This night has definitely started improving. She’s a lot spicier than I realized. It’s fun. “One more?”

“As long as you’re good to drive, yes.”

I nod at the waitress. “One more round is good, thank you.”

When she walks away, I turn back to Lexy. “I would have thought you’d have some wild plans tonight.”

She laughs like I’m joking. “Holidays have never really been my thing. I usually have to work anyway. Plus, Mack is a heartbroken mess.” She sighs, and I can tell it upsets her. “I’d rather get him out of the house than make superficial plans with people who only care about me because I know how to party.”

This girl may be fiery, but she’s also a little cynical. It might come off depressing to someone else, but I relate hard to her. Ever since my relationship with Emily blew up in my face, my willingness to trust anyone’s sincerity is a rare occurrence. “Sounds like you’re a good friend.”

She shrugs. “Mack would do the same for me. Not like he’ll ever have to.”

“Because you have an amazing boyfriend who would never break your heart?” I know that’s not what she’s saying, but she’s kind of cute when she’s annoyed.

She rolls her eyes. “Smooth. Hard pass on the boyfriend thing. What about you? Were you naive enough to think Nolan wouldn’t ditch you at some point?”

“Nah, I knew he would. I figured I’d make some new friends or go home whenever he did.”

“To your girlfriend?” she asks jokingly, but I don’t miss the hint of curiosity in her tone.

“Hard pass on relationships for me too. Especially in California.”

“I feel that,” she mumbles under her breath as our waitress comes back with our beers.

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