Page 95 of Hooks In

“No, uh, I mean, I’m-” I start, but Dan thankfully cuts me off.

“This is Ty, by the way,” he says, gesturing towards Ty.

She smiles at him. “Hi, I’m Isabelle.”

Oh. I was way off.

Ty nods at her and brings his eyes right back to me, staring at me with a stone-cold expression.

“You want to go get a drink, Luca?” Isabelle tilts her head towards the bar.

“I’m good, thanks.” I hold up my half full beer with a tight smile.

She giggles. “Well, next one’s on me.”

“Aw, that’s nice of you.” Dan smiles. “We weren’t sure if we’d do another round, but hey, if you’re buying.”

Ty smirks behind his beer glass as he takes a drink and I bite my lip on a smile.

“Uh, yeah. Of course.” Isabelle laughs it off. “So, are you working tomorrow?” she asks me. “We could go grab dinner after-”

She’s cut off by Ty reaching over to me, grabbing the back of my neck, and pulling my lips to his. He holds my neck tight, almost painfully so, but I let him.

When he pulls back, he keeps his lips close to mine. “Make her shut up.”

I nod, still staring at Ty and his hand still on the back of my neck. “Sorry, Isabelle. Can’t.”

“We should go.” Ty lets go of my neck, and I immediately stand up.

“Yup, sorry Dan, but we have to go.”

Dan chuckles and drains the last of his beer. “No worries. See you tomorrow.”

Well, this night was a success.

Apparently, Ty lives close to the bar. So when we get to his place, I pause in the doorway.

“Um,” I look around the space. “Where’s your stuff?”

He tosses his keys on the table. “What do you mean?”

I close the door behind me as I step into his apartment. “I mean… where is your stuff? There’s nothing here.”

Ty looks around the small apartment that has nothing but dated furniture. He just shrugs. “The place came furnished and all I need are clothes.”

“My god.” I shake my head, staring at the bland beige couch. “That’s sad.”

“Whatever,” Ty mumbles, taking his jacket off and tossing it over the chair.

I continue to stand in the middle of his tiny living room, staring at him.

“Now what?” Ty sighs.

“Tyler.” I swallow. “I’m going to say it.”

He sits on the boring couch. “Another deep confession?”

I nod slowly.

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