Thankfully, the world doesn’t tilt and spin, but I can’t seem to stop talking. My mouth is a spigot of words, and I’ve torn the knob clean off. “I wish we could do this all the time, Callum. You’re amazing. You’re hot and protective and sweet and hardworking and thoughtful and you like cats and . . .”

Planting my feet into the sand, I look up at him once more. I can’t see his full expression—only his furrowed brow is visible in the darkness. But judging by his silence, I can tell he’s confused and weirded out by everything I’m saying. And even in my drunken state, I know why.

I’ve crossed a boundary. Me gushing over him isn’t casual hookup territory at all. I’m talking like he’s my one and only. I’m blurring the lines, and he doesn’t like it. I don’t like it either. I should know better—I’m the one who set the boundaries.

But this night? This moment? It is a perfect storm of feelings and alcohol and romance and ambiance. I broke the rules and let myself get pseudo love drunk.

Callum clears his throat. “And?” he repeats with an edge to his tone.

I shake my head, letting out a laugh that’s all nerves and pitchy. “Nothing. Sorry. That was the alcohol talking.”

A long silence follows. When he finally speaks, all he says is, “Okay.” Nothing more.

I let out all the air I’ve been holding in a slow, silent hiss. I’m relieved. I don’t want to talk about how I just made a fool of myself in front of Callum because I caught feelings for a split second in a drunken haze.

Staring straight ahead, he bites his lip before speaking again. “Ready to head back to the car?”

“You’re okay to drive?” I ask.

“I only had a few sips. I’m fine.”

We put our masks back on. He takes my hand in his and leads me up the beach to the street. We don’t talk the entire walk to the car or when he starts to drive back to his place.

We both yank off our masks and toss them in the back seat in silent unison. With each mile we cross, I sober up. I need to think fast. I need to fix this rift I just caused between us.

“I’m . . . I’m sorry for what I said. I didn’t mean it. It was just the alcohol and the mood and the fact that I haven’t been out in forever. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”