Page 204 of Embriagado

He tsked. “Yes. I meant for us to go together.”

I crossed my arms, a smirk on my lips. “So like… a date?”

The muscle on his jaw ticked. “Call it whatever you will⁠—”

“A date.”

His eyes met mine in a flash, and I loved it. I loved seeing him torture himself.

“Fine. I’m asking you on a date.” He ran his fingers through his silky hair. “I even dressed the part.”

He had a point, and I think it was the first time I’d seen him in simple jeans and a T-shirt. To say he looked hot would be an understatement.

I took one step toward him, the wood creaking underneath my shoes.

“Well, if it’s gotten you out of your suits, I guess I sort of have to agree?”

He looked at me with those precious eyes of his, truly looked at me—was this it? The hint I so desperately sought?

“Good. So I’ll wait for you out here while you go and change.”

“Nah.” I shook my head. “I’m going as I am.”

His eyes widened before he glared at my sweats. “You know what I think about joggers.”

Not about to stand here and be lectured, I turned to open the door.

“And yet, I’m wearing them.”

In his position, he probably knew not to argue and instead accepted his fate. And while that stubborn Zorrito stayed to sulk on the porch, I went inside and changed into something else. Yeah, despite what I’d just said, I wanted to look good for our first fucking real date.

* * *

“You know, considering you’re the one who asked me out, you don’t seem happy,” I said, glancing at Ari, who walked silently beside me, a black baseball cap pulled low on his head.

“How should I look, then?”

“I don’t know…” I scanned the scene. “Maybe like that girl?” I pointed over to a couple standing by the corn dog cart, where the girl was feeding her boyfriend some of her corn dog.

“You want me to nurse you?”

I grimaced. “Not when you put it like that… fuck.” I took a breath. “I’m just saying that’s how people act on dates, you know, showing affection.”

A group of young girls crossed our path, making us halt for a second. The fair was packed as fuck, but thankfully, we came on Ari’s motorcycle, so at least parking wasn’t an issue. And yet, if I thought this guy was capable of having fun, we’d wasted the past thirty minutes walking practically in silence.

“She’s cheating on him.”

“What?” I glanced at Ari, confused.

“That girl with the corn dog. She only did it to catch the other guy’s attention.”

“What other guy—” I turned to look at the couple again, only now noticing there really was another man with them, and when the boyfriend was distracted, the other two exchanged flirty looks.

“Nothing gets past you. Fucking scary,” I hissed after turning back around.

“You just don’t pay attention to detail.”

“Nah, you’re just a psycho. But whatever, I only brought them up ’cause they looked cute, that’s all.” I scratched my jaw while scanning the scene for food. “Wanna grab a bite or somethin’—”