“That’s it!” Ben holds up his triumphant hand, to which I give a hearty high five. “So, who are we gonna take down next?”

He glances around the room, and a couple of guys approach the table with intent in their eyes. But two bottles of water mean I have some pressing matters that need attending to.

“Sorry, Ben. I’ve gotta take a bathroom break. You’ll need to find another partner.”

He places his hand on my lower back while handing off his pool cue to a curvy girl, who eyed him every time he bent over the table, like he was the one wearing an outfit on the verge of revealing his tight butt.

Not that I notice things like that.

“Can’t do it. It would be unlucky to break up the dynamic duo.”

I don’t think he means to, but one of his fingers brushes against the exposed skin on my side. The contact tickles but in a good way. A way that makes me want to lean into his hand for more pressure on the spot.

Yeah, time to escape to the bathroom.

“Your choice. So, bathroom?” I point upstairs and raise my eyebrows in question because, from my quick scan, I don’t see one on this lower level.

“Yeah, it’s right by the front door. There’s also one on the top floor.”

I nod, but before I can turn to go, he gives my side a squeeze, like he wants me to look back at him. Helpless to give up the offer, I do as he directed.

Ben holds out his wrist to show the time on his simple silver-and-leather watch. “We should probably head out when you’re done, right?”

It’s just after nine. There’s an uncomfortable pressure in my chest, reflective of the feeling in my bladder.

This has been so fun, bantering with Ben, throwing out insults to the other players, discussing shots. Now, the night is over, and I’m going to have to deal with drunken dancers for the next four hours.

Tips. Just think about the tips.

If the eyeballing I’ve been getting at this party is a good indication, I should expect my most lucrative shift. It’ll be interesting to be treated like Terra for a night. I’ll just focus on that new experience, and hopefully, it’ll help me get past this disappointment.

Still, just because my fun is over doesn’t mean that Ben’s needs to be.

“You don’t have to leave, Ben. I’ve still got time to catch a bus.”

He rolls his eyes and walks with me to the stairs. “Yeah, right. I invited you here. I’m not about to abandon you to find your own way to work.” He leans in close, lips almost brushing my ear. “Besides, now that Jasper’s left, you’re the only one in this house I actually like.”

I pull back before I give in to the urge to turn my head to the side to kiss him. Instead, I give his rough cheek a pat. “Well, of course. That’s because I’m the only decent pool player here.”