“I what on you?” she sputtered. Maybe he already wrote off the dating dare. Nothing like some puke to snuff out a spark of attraction.

“You spewed vomit like a woman possessed. Mostly on my shoes, but you managed to get some on your dress as well.”

“Oh, for the love of elves.” Tara pressed her hands against her flushed cheeks. This might be one of the most humiliating moments in the history of her whole entire life.

“All I did was help you get out of your soiled dress. The rest you did on your own.”

“The rest?”

“You insisted on stripping down to your birthday suit, bouncing and wiggling.” Seth stopped to clear his throat.

“So I stripped naked in front of you? You saw me naked?” Lightning, strike me now.

“Don’t worry. I didn’t ogle you. I put my T-shirt on you as quickly as possible.”

“But you still saw … everything.”

The corner of his mouth twitched suspiciously. “Only for a few seconds.”

She glared at him hoping to burn away his memory of that night.

“Once you were happily snoring,” he continued, “I rinsed the vomit out of your dress so you’d have something to wear back home. Then went to sleep next to you. That’s it. Nothing else happened. Not even a kiss.”

“I was wondering why the hem of my dress was damp,” Tara said under her breath. After all the kindness he’d shown her, he must’ve been shocked by her almost-accusation. “I can’t believe I just panicked like that and ran out on you. I should’ve waited for you to wake up and asked you what happened. I’m sorry, Seth.”

“I can understand how you could’ve reacted that way when you woke up with no memory of the night before. But you should’ve at least called me. I could’ve spared you the weeklong torture.”

“Right? Panic is not conducive to thinking.” And it had taken her this long to discover his kindness. He hadn’t taken advantage of her. He’d taken care of her. Warmth spooled in her heart. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” His gaze softened as it roamed her face. He’d seen her at her worst. Truly, nothing was worse than vomit. How could he still look at her like that? But his expression turned serious once more. “Tell me one thing. I’m not questioning why you had to ask me whether we had sex. It’s heinous, but it is something that happens to people in this messed up world. But do you really think I’m capable of taking advantage of a drunk woman?”

“No, Seth. I don’t,” she said, scooting on the couch to get closer to him. “I’ve seen how you are with your family and friends. You’re … all right.”

“You think I’m ‘all right’? Wow, that’s high praise coming from you,” he teased with a genuine smile.

“Yes, it is. And if you don’t behave, I’m taking it back.” Her smile widened in response. “But you are kind of one of the good guys, I guess.”