“Hidden? Where do you think I practiced this talent?”

I nod. Right. Probably in this very spot.

She steps to me so her tits brush against my chest, and she places her hands loosely around my neck. Without hesitation, my hands go around her back.

“You were usually standing on the opposite side of the deck, not paying me any attention,” she whispers. There’s no malice in her tone, but I still feel like an idiot for not noticing.

I lean down until my lips hover near hers. “I’m paying attention now.”

As the sky darkens, we give up on flip cup and sit with our new friends outside on the deck. It’s cold out. The heaters are going and I brought blankets outside to help keep us warm. The girls may have been interested in me to start, but it’s Reagan they’re fawning over now.

She’s sitting next to me. A blanket covers our legs and my hand rests on her thigh over the soft material. Winona and Sage—two of our new friends—lean forward and are touching her hair, complimenting her and basically just totally girl-crushing.

“You two should come with us to Theta for the after-hours party.”

“Oh, uh…” Reagan looks to me.

“I think we’re going to pass tonight,” I say and squeeze Reagan’s leg.

They prepare to leave, and Winona and Sage take turns hugging Reagan.

“You two are so cute together,” Sage says. She’s trying to say it so that only Reagan can hear, but her drunk whisper isn’t quiet at all.

“The cutest, right?” Reagan says. She waves as they go back through the apartment to leave.

When it’s just the two of us left outside, Reagan lets out a long breath and slumps back into her chair, giggling. “Wow.”

“Thank you for that. Standing ovation-worthy performance.” The few stragglers that haven’t left or gone to bed are inside in front of the TV watching Rhett and Heath battle it out on the Xbox.

“You’re welcome.”

She’s stopped acting now, and I can feel her growing more distant.

“I had a really good time tonight. I’m sorry if it was weird for you. I really didn’t expect that to be an all-night performance.”

“No, it’s fine. I had a good time too.” The wind blows her hair into her face and she brushes the strands back. “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“Why were you avoiding the girls so hard tonight? You and Taryn broke up months ago and as far as I know you haven’t dated anyone since.”

“Except you now.” I tip my beer toward her and then take a drink.

“You know what I mean. A real date and hookups don’t count. Those girls were pretty nice. Are you still hung up on Taryn?”