Though I was in the midst of a serious drought at the moment—not necessarily by design, but because every text that popped up on my phone offering a hookup was from someone other than Bailey. I had thought about trying anyway, just to see if I could get myself out of the mindfuck I was in, but I didn’t really want to.

Objectively speaking, it made zero sense because I had no real reason to think we would hook up ever, let alone any time soon. But certain body parts of mine didn’t care for reason or logic, so here I was. Practically a born-again virgin.

And obviously not telling a single soul about any of this.

“Then answer the question.”

I shrugged. I didn’t have a good answer and felt a little dumb for it. “Because I can?”

“Guys are wired so differently,” Bailey murmured, looking down at her red paper cup.

“What makes you say that?”

“Because I could never…do that. With someone I didn’t know.”

Knowing what I knew now, I was thankful we hadn’t slept together that night. She would have regretted it, regretted me.

“Not to poke holes in your theory here, or make judgments about good or bad, but lots of girls do.”

“I guess so.” She hummed, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. “Maybe it’s just me.”

“It’s not a bad thing,” I said.

“I don’t know. It’s not like it’s worked out for me so far, either.”

I knew exactly what she was referring to, but again, I didn’t want to make her feel self-conscious by bringing it up. Knowing some of the personal shit I did while she didn’t know that I knew made for a massive fucking moral dilemma. It was one-sided and unfair, but I also didn’t want her to think I was teasing her or being a dick.

Bailey shivered, rubbing her arms. “I should have worn a warmer coat.”

“It’s getting pretty chilly,” I said. “We should probably head back. Maybe your roommates went out or their company’s gone by now.”

“Dare to dream.”

We stood and headed for the staircase. It was even darker now, most of the light coming from the streetlamps lining the park. A gust of wind kicked up, blowing a pile of dead leaves on the ground in a miniature funnel.

“You know, this is a little spooky.” She started to descend the stairs, with me following behind.

Speaking of nice views, I would follow her anywhere, any day.

“What, walking around a secluded forest with a guy you don’t know that well?” I said with a shrug. “Maybe a little.”

“Good place to dump a body,” she mused, gripping the handrail as she scaled the stairs. “But wouldn’t it have been easier to off me after the bar?”

“I prefer a long con, myself.”

“Ah, I see.”