Andy looked toward the two other expectant faces at our table, then back to me and sighed. “I guess we could go for a little bit.” I clapped my hands in triumph. “But I have a one-hour maximum,” he continued. “Then we have to do something else. We could go back to my house and watch a movie. Jake and Lilly can even come, if they want.”
“That’s totally fair,” I agreed excitedly.
Andy leaned over to whisper in my ear. “I’m adding this to your tab of you owe me’s.”
I whispered to him in return. “I appreciate your compromise and promise to reward you handsomely later.” I lightly kissed his earlobe before I pulled away.
“Gross, you two. Get a room.” Jake hooted.
Andy waved between Jake and Lilly. “Seriously? You’re one to talk, dude.” It seemed to have slipped his mind that Lilly was still on his lap.
“Oh, you’re right.” Jake grinned, shrugging his shoulders. “I guess I do sound a little hypocritical. If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. What do you say, hot stuff? How about a kiss, just a little one?” Jake puckered up. Lilly cast him a sidelong glance and left him hanging.
“Now you’re playing hard to get?” Jake scoffed. “Last week you spent the whole night complaining about not getting a kiss, so I gave you one. Today you’re going to pretend like you don’t want another one? I see how it is. You got what you wanted, now you’re casting me aside like dirty laundry.” Jake was being overly dramatic.
“Eh…” I knew Lilly’s response was supposed to seem indifferent. I was very impressed at how well she’d been playing their little game.
“Woman,” Jake ground out through his teeth. He looked genuinely frustrated. “You’re infuriating. Just for that, I’m not letting you off my lap until lunch is over.”
Lilly pulled her sucker from her mouth to respond with a shoulder shrug, “Suit yourself.”
Jake grumbled under his breath. “I’ll get my kiss before the night is over. You wait and see, squirt.”
. . . . .
Andy picked me up at quarter to eight, figuring with a late dinner we’d miss the Friday rush. We pulled up to the restaurant and parked the car, then walked in the doors. Jake had asked me what time we were having dinner, so it wasn’t a surprise that he and Lilly were waiting at the hostess stand. Jake looked like his normal self in khakis and a polo. But Lilly had forgone her usual random assortment of clothes and worn a sundress with a long-sleeve cardigan over it. She was in cute, strappy sandals that looked totally normal. Her hair was down and tamed. I caught her attention while Jake spoke with the hostess, and we had a whole conversation with our eyes and facial expressions before Jake noticed us.
Wow, you’re dressed up.
I know, shut up about it.
Are you actually trying to impress him?
No.
Liar.
Shut up.
You like him!
No, I don’t.
Liar.
Shut up!
Lilly was slashing her hand across her throat, and the motion caught Jake’s attention. He turned around. “Of all the coincidences…fancy seeing you guys here,” he said, pretending to be surprised.
The hostess walked behind the stand, wrote something on her board, and picked up two menus. “Right this way.” She smiled.
Jake put one arm around Lilly’s waist and held the other one out. “After you.”
“Such a brat.” I chuckled. Andy only shook his head. The hostess took us to a booth not far from Lilly and Jake’s, but across the aisle so it was easy to see them. I sat, and Andy slid onto the seat next to me. Jake was facing us, but Lilly wasn’t, so after we got situated, Jake stood, grabbed Lilly by the hand, and pulled her over to his side of the table so we’d all be facing each other. He turned his nose in the air, then opened a menu between them and pulled her close so they were both ducked behind it.
“Oh my gosh.” I laughed. “Is he going to do that all night?”
“Probably. He likes to annoy me.”
“I hope he pays at least a little attention to Lilly. Real attention, I mean. Not just the kind designed to annoy you…or Sophia. She got awfully dressed up tonight. She’ll deny it forever, but I think she might like him,” I speculated. “Do you have any idea what he’s thinking where she’s concerned?”
Andy studied them for a minute. “He hasn’t said anything, but he has been acting weird. He’s flirting with Lilly way more than other girls right now… Actually, I haven’t seen him give much attention to anyone in the last week, since you guys started eating lunch with us. And Jake’s a flirt, but I’ve never seen him kiss a girl, just because. He’s using Sophia as an excuse, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he honestly likes Lilly. He’s a sucker for the ones that pretend they aren’t into him.”
Andy put down his menu and looked at me seriously. “Now try to ignore them. The whole point of coming to dinner alone was so that I didn’t have to share you. If I end up sharing you anyway, I’ll beat Jake’s butt later.”
“I can solve that problem.” I smiled.
“Oh yeah? How?”
I pulled a Jake, standing then moving Andy and myself to the other side of the booth. “There, now we can’t see them.”
“Aren’t you full of bright ideas?” Andy grinned.
For the next hour, we enjoyed a nice dinner alone, with very little interruption. Toward the end of the meal, Lilly excused herself to go to the bathroom. I was dying to know how her evening was going. “I’ll be back in a minute,” I said, standing up.
“Tell Lilly I said she looks nice this evening.” Andy smirked.
I bust into the ladies room and found Lilly applying lip gloss at the mirror. “So, how’s it going over there?” I asked.
Lilly fanned herself with her purse. “Crap, Ivy. I don’t have any idea what to think. I always assumed he was messing around with me or trying to make his sister mad. But he’s been a total gentleman tonight. And he hasn’t stopped touching me, either. He’s practically been sitting on my lap the entire dinner.”
“He made you sit on his lap for all of lunch today,” I pointed out.
“Yes, but he was only playing around then.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “Maybe he wasn’t.”
“Whatever. I’m not going to read into this. He’s just trying to get attention, or more kisses.”
“And is he going to win?”
Lilly grinned at me in the mirror. “He has to work a little harder if he wants these lips to pucker up at the end of the night. We’ll see how the party goes. I’m sure he’ll back off once we’re in front of all his friends.”
“This should be interesting.”
“Yes, it should be,” she agreed.
“Andy said to tell you that you look nice tonight.”
“Tell Andy I said ditto.” She grinned and headed for the door.
We walked back to our tables. A waitress was delivering a giant cookie with ice cream to Jake’s table. I’m sure it was Lilly’s choice. Andy watched her sit, then looked at me.
“You want dessert?”
“No. I’m so full, I’ll explode if I eat another bite. I’m ready to leave when you are.”
“Are you sure?” Andy asked.
“Are you stalling?” I countered.
He looked guilty. “Maybe.”
“Come on. It’ll be fine. Just an hour. You don’t even have to talk to anyone but me.”
“I’m holding you to that.” Andy picked up the check that had been left on our table and looked at it. Then he pulled a wad of cash from his wallet and threw it down on the table. He slid out of the booth and held out his hand for me. “See you guys in a few,” Andy called over his shoulder to Jake and Lilly.
“I’m having a good time. Maybe we’ll stay here all night,” Jake teased.
“If you don’t show up within fifteen minutes of the time we do, I’ll hunt you down and kick you in the man parts,” Andy threatened.
Jake chuckled. “Take it easy, Hulk. W
e’ll be right behind you.”
It took twenty minutes to get to Jake’s house. Andy was mostly silent the whole way. I wasn’t sure what he was thinking or how he was feeling, but I figured asking about it would only make him more uncomfortable, so I avoided conversation altogether. Once we arrived, I grabbed Andy’s hand and squeezed.
“You ready?” I asked.
Andy stared out the windshield. “As ready as I’ll ever be,” he said.
“Relax, it’s just Jake’s house. You can do this,” I reassured.
“I’ll be fine,” Andy answered, then got out and came around to open my door.
“The last time I was here was the night I knocked you into the pool at Jake’s birthday party,” I mused. Andy smiled at the pool memory, causing me to smile, too, but I was smiling about our more recent swimming pool memories. “Come on. I’ll turn you into a party lover, you’ll see.” I was answered with a grunt.
Everyone was out in the backyard, music blasting from the pool house. Pool house was a loose term because it was more of a guest house by the pool. It had a large gathering room and a full kitchen, accompanied by a bedroom and a bathroom. The coolest part was that the entire wall facing the pool was one giant sliding glass door. It was open, and there was a DJ inside the darkened house with a bunch of kids drinking and milling about the pool outside. One could easily pass between the indoor and outdoor spaces.
“What do you want to do first?” I asked Andy as I surveyed the scene.
“Maybe pull a lounge chair into a dark corner and take a nap?” he suggested.
“Nice try, buddy. How about we get something to drink?” Andy sighed but followed me toward the throng of people standing in the kitchen. There were a variety of drinks, alcoholic and nonalcoholic, spread out on the counter. I couldn’t believe Sophia was brave enough to provide booze; her parents must not have been home. Not that they’d have any clue what was going on out here. It was like a mile away from the main house.
“What do you want?” I asked, unsure if Andy was much of a drinker.
“What are you having?” he asked hesitantly.
“Water,” I replied, grabbing a bottle from the cooler. He looked slightly relieved at my choice. “I don’t really like to drink,” I explained. “Liquor is gross, beer is even grosser. Then there’s that whole part about it being illegal since I’m only eighteen. Call me a chicken or a prude, but I don’t want to ruin my chances at getting into a good college because I was arrested for underage drinking. You can have a beer if you want one, though. You don’t have to not drink because of me.”
Andy gave me a disapproving look. “What kind of a boyfriend do you think I am?”
I wasn’t sure what had gotten him suddenly miffed. “A good one?” I answered with a cheesy grin, hoping to reduce his annoyance. Andy didn’t look amused.
“Would a good boyfriend drive his girlfriend to a party, then drink even one drop of alcohol, if he was planning to drive her home?” Andy grilled me.
“Well, no,” I fumbled. I’d never get in a car with a driver who’d been drinking, but I hadn’t really thought that far ahead, which was stupid of me. Andy obviously had, and that made me like him even more. “But if you wanted a drink, I’d be willing to drive your car home for you. So, you don’t have to feel like you can’t drink because of me,” I offered.
“I don’t want to drink,” he huffed. “Remember, that’s part of what I hate about parties. People getting drunk and acting like idiots.”
And faster than you could snap your fingers, moody Andy was back. I didn’t want to waste my only night off this week dealing with moody Andy. If he had something to drink, he’d probably chill out, so, I pressed a little more. “Maybe if you had just one drink, you’d be able to relax a little?” Andy’s jaw tightened at my suggestion. If anyone needed to relax right now, it was him. I wasn’t trying to anger him. I wanted to help him lighten up.
“Maybe you should accept the fact that I’m not going to drink anything other than caffeine tonight and move on?” Andy smiled, but it was forced.
“I don’t care if you aren’t drinking,” I assured him. “Only trying to help you feel more at ease.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and whispered into his ear. “I think it’s awesome that you don’t want to become a drunken buffoon around me. And the fact that you’re more worried about my safety than enjoying this party really does make you the best boyfriend a girl could ask for.”
Andy’s posture loosened at my words, and I thought I’d diffused most of the hostility. But seconds after he had wrapped his arms around my waist to return my hug, he tensed up again. His cold, angry eyes were carefully watching something over my shoulder. I turned around to find Rob behind me.
“Ivy!” he exclaimed a little too loudly. He wasn’t slurring his speech or anything, but it was obvious he’d been drinking. “I’m surprised you came. And how’d you get this guy out of his cave?” Rob pointed toward Andy, who looked like he wanted to inflict bodily harm, but he kept his cool.
I, on the other hand, was dumbfounded. Not only was Rob at Sophia’s party, barely a week after she dumped him, but he was being so casual toward me. Tipsy Rob must be much more friendly and relaxed than regular Rob. Unfortunately, Rob being here didn’t help my goal of warming Andy up to parties. In fact, I’m pretty sure it just derailed any chance I had.
“We were only stopping by for a bit. What are you doing here? I’m surprised Sophia let you on the property. You better make yourself scarce before she makes you president of the morgue instead of the student council.”
“Ivy, Ivy. Always so concerned about my well-being. Always looking out for me. That’s what a good partner should do. That’s why you are the perfect person to be my first lady.” I chuckled as he draped his arm around me, no hint of sarcasm or condescension. I could get used to this Rob, but judging by the look on my boyfriend’s face, I probably shouldn’t encourage it. No matter how much more I preferred him to regular Rob.
“I’m not your first lady,” I corrected him, hoping to keep Andy from exploding over a harmless implication. Rob probably wouldn’t remember any of this in the morning. “I’m your righthand man. Remember? Vice president, not your wife.”
Rob dragged his eyes over me lazily and leaned in to sniff my hair. I quickly stepped out from under his arm and backed up to Andy’s chest, partly to reassure him and partly to put a barrier between him and Rob.
“You are my righthand, but you’re definitely not a man,” he crooned suggestively. “You know, you could be my first lady…if you wanted to. The position’s open now. I’m accepting applications.” He winked, ballsy. If I didn’t know any better, I might have thought Rob was hitting on me with the intent of getting a rise out of Andy.
I silently grabbed Andy’s hand and squeezed. Anger was rolling off him, and he wasn’t even trying to hide it. I think the only reason he hadn’t thrown down with Rob yet was because there was a crowd, and that would have drawn more attention to him. Time for a subject change and a quick exit. I switched into diplomatic mode. “You know, most of the senior class is here tonight. Might be a good time to plug the auction one last time.” Rob smiled at me, then wandered over to where the DJ was set up.
Jake and Lilly had appeared behind us. Jake laughed loudly. “So, you guys getting to know drunk Rob?”
“I don’t think he’s totally drunk yet,” I replied. “But he is extremely happy. He even complimented me,” I added, getting the shocked reaction from Lilly that I was hoping for.
“Yeah, right before he hit on her.” Andy was fuming.
“So, you’re talking to tipsy Rob, then?” Jake chuckled. “Give it an hour and come back. Drunk Rob is great for an ego boost, very complimentary—no, overly complimentary. He’s caused more than one broken heart at a party. He tells girls how gorgeous and perfect they are while he’s under the influence and the next morning when they call, he has to make up some ridiculous lie to let them down gently without looking like a total prick. You�
�d think he’d have learned his lesson by now.”
“That’s horrible.” Lilly gasped.
“That’s another good reason not to drink,” I added.
“That’s Rob Emerson,” Andy muttered.
Suddenly the music stopped, and Rob was shouting from the DJ’s stand, trying to get everyone’s attention. Someone turned on the lights, and all eyes looked to him. He picked up a microphone from the table and spoke into it. “I hope everyone is having a good time.” Rob grinned at the crowd, earning a chorus of cheers. He waited for the noise to die down before he continued. “I wanted to remind all of you that the senior class date auction is tomorrow night, and a lot of the dates are here, so take a minute to mingle. Then come tomorrow night, prepared to spend the big bucks so we can have a kick-ass senior party.”
Rob pumped his fist in the air, and the crowd whooped and whistled in excitement. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sophia in the back of the room, sending silent death threats at Rob. I kind of wanted to be around when that confrontation happened. I was busy imagining who’d win in a fistfight between the two of them when Rob shouted into the microphone again.
“And, make sure to stop by and talk to my old buddy Andrew Walker. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, people.” Rob gestured grandly and pointed toward where we were standing. “For those of you who don’t know Andy, he’s standing in the back next to Jake Hill. Wave to the ladies, Andy.”
All eyes in the room turned to stare at Andy. He sucked in a breath, and I could tell it was all he could do to control his temper. Jake noticed Andy’s darkened face and tried to deflect some of the unwanted attention. He waved, then pointed at Andy, saying loudly, “Don’t look at this handsome devil for too long. My name’s Jake Hill, and I’m date number five. Write that down.”
Rob didn’t stop. He waved his hand lazily. “Yes, yes. Jake’s a fine date. But if you want a real treat, you need to talk to Andy. He doesn’t grace people with his presence very often. Act fast, or you’ll miss your chance. And, by the way, his girlfriend is totally ok with him taking you out, because she trusts him completely.” Rob spared a cutting glance at Sophia, who was pushing her way through the crowd. Once she reached him, she grabbed the microphone from his hand and hit him with it on the back of the shoulder. Then she motioned to the DJ to turn the music back on and stomped off with tears in her eyes.
Perfectly You (The Perfect Series Book 2) Page 17
