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“Actually,” I say before thinking it through. All I know is I want to be around him right now. I doubtReya and Vic will mind him crashing our night, but he might mind their incessant questions and comments. I cross my fingers behind my back, and take the chance anyway. “Would you want to come with us? We’re going mini-golfing. Just a couple of my friends.”
“Mini golf is always fun,” he says with a small smile that gets to me more than it should.
I light up. “Perfect! I’m gonna go fix this.” I motion to my face. “They’ll be here to pick us up in like twenty minutes.”
The girls freak out when I message them to say I invited him. Every response is in all capital letters and the two of them go back and forth with each other when I don’t respond. I do not feel great about the fact that they keep referring to this as a first date, but my hands are too occupied to argue. I have a feeling this night is going to be chaotic.
“Okay, I have to warn you,” I start as I walk out into the living room. I find him studying some of the artwork I have hanging on the wall, and something about that makes heat rise to my face. Everything he does, even something so simple and small as looking at my home decor just feels so sincere.
“Warn me?” he asks after a moment, turning to face me.
“My friends like to meddle.”
“What exactly will they be meddling with?” The smirk on his face is teasing. It makes me wonder what he’s assuming, whether it’s the truth or something much less awkward.
There’s a part of me that doesn’t really want to voice it, like it’s wrong to acknowledge the idea of it at all. On the other hand, he might think I’m on the same page as they are. I don’t want him to be under the impression that I’ve said something to encourage their ways.
“You and me. Getting those two to understand that a man and woman can just be friends is going to be an impossible task.”
“Ah,” is all he says before turning back to the wall.
I refuse to let myself overthink that response, despite how much it feels like an itch begging to be scratched.
The girls get here earlier than I expected, and instead of texting me to get my ass outside, they walk right through my front door. I can’t say I’m all that surprised.
I catch the disappointment in Reya’s eyes when she sees that she didn’t interrupt anything juicy. Vic is a better actress, and she gives him an innocent smile.
“It’s Miles, right?” She already knows the answer. “I’m Vic.” Instead of shaking his hand, she goes right in and wraps him in a hug.
“Good to meet you,” he replies. He doesn’t look weary of the affection, and it’s a relief. Then again, her hugs are amazing,andshe wasn’t the one I was worried about.
“I’m Reya,” she practically yells. She’s bouncing on her heels like a little kid. She probably overdid it on caffeine today, which isn’t a rare occurrence. “You can call me Rey, though.”
“Since when does anyone call you Rey?” Vic asks her, as confused as I am.
“Since now.” She says it like it's obvious. “As Autumn’s future husband, he gets special nickname privileges.”
I place a palm to my forehead, hoping he picks up on my embarrassment.
“Let’s not start this already. No one’s getting married.”
“You think thatnow,” she replies.
I roll my eyes so hard it’s a miracle they don’t get stuck that way.
Miles is quietly chuckling to himself.
This is going to be interesting.
I’m very pleased to discover that the place serves alcohol. The last time I’d been here I wasn’t old enough to drink, because what adult suggests mini-golfing as a way to spend a week night? Yet, the second we arrive, I’m disappointed that it’s been so long.
Reya continues to make comments that Miles and I attempt to ignore. We share wide eyed looks, and struggle to control our laughter at some of the wild things she says. He seems nothing but amused, which has kept me from completely freaking out.
“You’re pretty tall,” she points out as he hands me his drink. A bright red slushie with vodka in it. We go back and forth holding each other’s cups when it’s our turn.
“I guess I am.”
“How tall are you?”
