Wright with Benefits (Wright Series #8) - K.A. Linde Page 0,39
wait for our Uber as we all sang whatever the last song had been in the club. We were ridiculous but happy. The night had been incredible, and even better, Taureen lived in the same neighborhood as Prisha. So, we could all ride together.
We tumbled into the backseat and drove the short distance back to their place. I was sober enough by now to tell our Uber driver was irritated with us, but still drunk enough not to care.
“You can keep driving to Prisha’s,” Taureen said, pointing down the street. He was already stumbling back into his house, leaving Cord and me alone out on the street.
“I could walk you instead,” Cord offered.
“Sounds like a good idea,” I agreed.
The Uber zoomed away without another word.
“Ass,” Cord said, kicking his foot out as if he could kick the car.
I giggled, tugging my jacket tighter around me. “We’re all drunk. I’m sure he hates drunk people in his car.”
“Probably.”
I pulled Prisha’s address up on my phone. Taureen was right. It was only a few blocks away. Cord glanced over my shoulder at the map.
“See, not far,” Cord insisted.
“Will you be okay getting back?” I asked him.
He grinned. “I think I can manage.”
We were silent on the walk to the house. As if the dark night had swept in and sucked all the words out from us. Covering us in shadows and sealing us in with the black of night.
The brisk walk cleared my head. Made me look back at the night we’d had. I blinked and cringed. I saw where this walk was heading before we even reached Prisha’s. Knew what was coming next. And felt my feet slowing down, trying to stretch it out so that this didn’t have to happen.
“What?” Cord asked. He slowed next to me. His big blue eyes suddenly concerned.
“It’s just there.” I pointed at the next house. As if it wasn’t already obvious. “I can walk the rest of the way.”
He turned to face me, stopping us both on the sidewalk. He stepped close, running his hand down my sleeve to my hand. Then he took it in his. “You shouldn’t go the rest of the way alone.”
I took my hand back quickly. “It’s fine. Really.”
“I could…come in with you.”
Of course. Of course that was what he was going to say. How could I have been so stupid? I had known where this was going, and at every turn, I hadn’t said no. I hadn’t walked away. I hadn’t discouraged him. And now, we were one house from where I was staying, and I had no backup plan.
I was alone with a relative stranger on a dark street. Cord seemed like a nice guy, but how many nice guys did I know who had done bad things? Wasn’t that what they always said on the news? Oh, he was such a nice guy. I gulped. If I didn’t manage this correctly, I could be in a lot of trouble.
My body shook from the cold and worry.
“I…” I bit my lip and glanced down and then back up into his eyes. Let him see my decision was made. The alcohol had dissipated some. “Thanks, but no. I have an early flight.”
“Annie,” he whispered. He leaned forward as if he was about to kiss me, and I took another step back, putting the distance between us. His face didn’t immediately turn angry but back to concerned. “What is it? Are you seeing someone?”
I hesitated on the question. Was I? Not technically. I’d drawn that line myself. But it didn’t feel right to be here with Cord right now either.
“No,” I finally admitted.
“Then, what?” he asked as if that were the only possible explanation.
“I don’t have to be seeing someone to not want to do this.”
He sighed and nodded his head. “No, you don’t. I just…I thought we had something.” His shoulders slumped. “I had a nice night.” He brushed a lock of hair behind my ear and pressed a kiss to my temple. “I hope you did, too. And that I see you at other interviews…and maybe if we both go to the same place, we can pick this back up.”
Then he turned and walked away.
I released my breath. That could have been very, very bad. I was lucky that Cord wasn’t a predator…and instead just a guy who was into me. And why wouldn’t he be? We’d hung out all day. We’d danced all night. It could have easily gone that direction. Fuck.