The Introvert's Guide to Online Dating - Emma Hart Page 0,16

only yesterday.

I probably had.

I was also now going to have to hibernate for three days after this exertion of energy.

We belted it out together, hitting the same notes we had as teenagers when we had way less cares in the world, but when we were done, we collapsed against each other with a laugh.

London wrapped her arm around my waist. “That was fun!” she said loudly into my ear, counteracting the music that started up. “I forgot how fun that was!”

“You have a six-year-old who demands all your attention!” I said back. “You’re forgiven!”

She hugged me, laughing, and released me with a bounce. I loved her energy and her passion. She’d brought a brightness to White Peak ever since she’d moved back.

That could have just been the gin talking, though, so…

“Thank you!” I took my glass from Sebastian. “And you didn’t drink it!”

He grinned, leaning in. “I don’t drink gin. Takes like raccoon piss.”

I wrinkled my nose up. “You owe me a drink now. Thanks.” I shoved the glass back at him, and he laughed, setting it on an empty table.

“Not a gin?”

“Not a gin,” I confirmed.

Laughing, he grabbed Josh and Colton. “Drinks?”

They both followed him, and I pretended not to notice Colt looking back at me.

“We’re going!” Ivy grabbed my hands. “Don’t want to leave Mom too long with the kids. I talked to London, and Leo is going to stay at ours with Mom, so feel free to completely corrupt her.”

“Done.” I hugged her, then Kai. “I promise to return her to you fully corrupted in every way.”

Kai stared at me flatly. “Move to water, Tori.”

“No.” Laughing, I turned away and rejoined the group, telling Piper and Saylor that I was going to the bathroom. Piper grabbed my hand to join me since women never visited the bathroom alone in a public place.

I mean, you never knew who was going to be there.

Ted Bundy.

The Candyman.

That scary bitch from The Ring.

That’s right. That’s why women went to the bathroom together.

We’d watched way too many horror movies as weak-ass teenagers to pee alone.

And Netflix documentaries as grown-ass women.

Ahem.

There was a line outside the bathroom, and I waved Piper on to jump in, telling her that I wasn’t that desperate so I’d just wait here for her. I scooted to the side away from the queue and pulled my phone out of my purse, opening up Instagram so I could mindlessly scroll through random posts I didn’t care much about.

The only people I cared about were here tonight.

I double-tapped a photo of Tegan that Ivy had posted earlier, then continued down. There were book photos from the bookstore, and Piper had been testing out her photo skills on her cupcakes with some summer flowers, so I went on a slightly-tipsy liking spree.

“Victoria.”

I ignored him.

Colton knew damn well I didn’t respond to that.

“Victoria.”

I continued scrolling.

“Tori.” He flattened his hand on the wall next to my head.

I slid my eyes toward his wrist. “Do you mind? You’re in my personal space.”

Colton’s gaze found mine, and he stared at me for the longest moment. “You’re really fucking pissing me off tonight.”

Then he pushed off the wall like he hadn’t just been all up in my personal bubble.

“The feeling is mutual!” I yelled after him. “Every damn day!”

The door to the ladies’ restroom slammed shut, and I turned to see Piper looking at me with raised eyebrows.

“Colton,” I said before she could ask. “Pissing me off.”

“Ah, right.” She looped her arm through mine. “Another drink?”

CHAPTER SIX – TORI

rule six: make sure at least one photo is from your bad side. then that chicken pox scar on your nose won’t be so shocking.

neither will your attitude.

COLTON: You were a delight last night.

Scoffing, I locked my phone and put it screen down on my dining table. My head had only just stopped pounding, thanks to too many pastries from Piper’s bakery, three bottles of water, two coffees, and a can of Pepsi.

And a share bag of cheese Doritos, all right?

God.

I wasn’t in the mood to deal with Colton’s shit today. He’d just text me and endlessly piss me off, and I had too much to do today to bother with that.

He was obviously in a mood, and since I was a woman and had a mood of my own today, I didn’t care much for his.

That’s right.

My mild, lingering hangover wasn’t enough.

No, Mother Nature had decided to grace me with her regular notification of the fact I wasn’t pregnant.

Usually, I’d be thrilled about that, but today was