Wait…did I just call my best friend sexy?

What did they put into this magic potion to make me think such things? I proceeded to glare at my drink.

Eh, whatever.

I picked it up and drank half, wiping my mouth on the back of my hand.

So lady like.

I grabbed my fork and put some of the nachos on the plate the waitress had brought. Ezra was already devouring his own pile.

“These are so good,” I moaned, stuffing one into my mouth. This wasn’t a date so I could be as messy as I wanted.

He nodded his head in agreement, wiping his hands on his napkin.

“When was the last time you ate?” He asked me, noticing how I was devouring the chips.

My nose scrunched as I thought. “Uh…breakfast. I had a cereal bar for a snack.”

He glared at me. “You’ve only eaten once today?”

“I had a cereal bar!” I defended, gesticulating wildly with my free hand.

He shook his head as his teeth ground together. “Sadie, you can’t skip meals like that.”

I frowned. “I know, but I forget.”

“How do you forget to eat?” His hands landed roughly on the table as he leaned forward.

I shrugged, picking up another nacho chip and eating it. “I get busy and forget how much time has passed.”

He wasn’t pleased by my explanation and his nostrils flared.

“I’ll set a reminder in my phone,” I mumbled to appease him.

He still looked doubtful.

“Look, at least I’m eating now.” I pointed at my plate of nachos. Lifting my drink in the air, I added, “And drinking. Oh, alcohol, how I love thee.” I downed the rest of the drink. When a frown still marred his face, I said, “Eat, drink, and be merry. Your sourpuss vibe is killing my buzz and I need this right now.”

He laughed, the tension easing from his shoulders.

“Okay, I’ll let it go…for now.” He eyed me for a moment, letting me know that this conversation was far from over.

We’d unintentionally been leaning towards each other and jerked apart when the waitress appeared with our meals.

She set the burger in front of Ezra and a small pizza in front of me.

“Would you like another drink?” She asked me.

“Yep,” I nodded eagerly. “Go ahead and bring two.”

“Sadie.” Ezra warned with a low growl.

“Don’t listen to him,” I whispered conspiratorially, “someone pissed in his cheerios this morning.”

She glanced at Ezra, back to me, and then to him once more.

“Just bring her the drinks,” he grumbled. “Don’t make me regret this.” He warned me.

“However would I do that?”

“Wow, the stars look so pretty from here.”

Ezra kicked the car door closed with his booted foot. “That’s because I’m carrying you.”

“Look at all of them. They’re so sparkly. Can I have one?” I reached my hand up and tried to grab one. I frowned. “I can’t reach it. Can you get it for me?”

“You’re never drinking ever again,” he groaned, adjusting his hold on my body as he climbed the porch steps. “Wrap your arms around my neck,” he demanded. “I have to put you down so I can get the door open.”

I did as he asked and my shaky feet touched the ground. I wobbled and he wrapped an arm around my torso, holding me against his chest so that I didn’t fall.

The door swung open and cold air hit my face.

“Oh, that feels good.” I smiled, leaning forward and trying to get closer to the deliciously cool air.

Ezra chuckled. “Come on, up you go.”

My legs were whisked out from under me once more and I tightened my hold around his neck.

“Are you carrying me across the threshold?” I asked, laughter filling the words.

“No,” he groaned, “I’m carrying my drunk best friend home. And could you loosen your arms? You’re choking me.”

“Oh, sorry,” I giggled. I leaned my head back and looked up at the ceiling as he started up the steps. “Everything looks so different like this. Oh, ew, you need to clean up there.” I pointed to a cobweb.

He sighed as we reached the top of the stairs and he turned down the hallway to the guestroom.

My fingers tangled in the silky strands of his black hair as he pushed the bedroom door open with a nudge of his shoulder. “Your hair is so soft,” I gasped. “Like a puppy.” He snorted. “I want a puppy,” I told him, my words slurring. “Can you be my puppy?” I rubbed his head as he laid me down on the bed. “I’d name my puppy Oliver. Isn’t that a good name for a puppy? I think it is.”

He chuckled, untangling my fingers from his hair. “Sadie, you might be the most hilarious drunk person I’ve ever met.”

“Aw, thanks.” I reached for his hair again—seriously, it was the softest thing I’d ever felt—and he grabbed my hands and held them in both of his.

“Sadie, stop,” he warned.

“I want to pet the puppy!” I pouted.

“My hair is not a puppy.”

“Well it sure feels like one. Could’ve fooled me,” I huffed.

He sighed heavily and released my hands. He grabbed my shoes and began removing them.

“Are you trying to get me naked?”

“No,” he glared at me, “I’m trying to get your shoe off.”

“I’d be fine if you wanted to get me naked.”

“Sadie,” he warned.

“I haven’t had sex in…” I tried to count, but my brain was too muffled to form a coherent thought. “A long time. That should’ve been another tip that Braden was cheating. I’m so stupid.” I smacked my forehead.

He grabbed my hand. “Don’t hit yourself.” His voice softened.

He finished removing my shoes and they dropped to the floor with a crash.

“What’s so wrong with me?” I asked him. “Am I so repulsive?”

“Sadie, repulsive is the last thing that you are. Braden is just…well, there are no words for what Braden is.”

“I used to have a crush on you,” I admitted. “Shit,” I slapped my hand across my mouth, “I wasn’t ever supposed to tell you that. I’m never drinking again.”

He chuckled and shook his head. “Yeah, you won’t be drinking again if I have anything to say about it. So,” he grinned, “you had a crush on me?”

“Well, yeah,” I shrugged. “You’re hot. Who wouldn’t?”

He laughed and grabbed the blankets, trying to tuck me beneath the covers. My stomach rolled and I grabbed his wrist.

“I’m going to be sick?” I warned.

“Shit,” he cursed. In a lightning fast move he grabbed the small trashcan and held it over for me. He held my hair back with his free hand as my body heaved.

I panted heavily, sweat breaking out across my skin. “Yep, I’m never drinking again,” I vowed.

He set the trashcan aside and looked me over. “Are you okay?”

“I think so.” I replied, my eyes growing heavy.

“Don’t go to sleep yet,” he warned. “I’ll be right back.”

He eased out of my room and flicked the light on in the hallway. I heard him fumbling in the bathroom and the sink running.

A minute later his shadow darkened the doorway and he strolled forward with two cloths in his hand. He crouched down beside me, his dark eyes full of worry.

Ever so gently he cleaned my mouth and then laid the clean cloth across my forehead.

“I’m not done yet.” He warned with a pointed look.

“I’ll try not to fall asleep, but no promises.”

He left me again and the stairs creaked as he went back downstairs.

I rolled onto my side, forcing my heavy lids to stay open.

Sleep. I needed sleep, and maybe some duct tape for my mouth before any more truths slipped past my lips.

When Ezra returned he had a glass of water and two pills.

“Here, take this.” He thrust the pills out to me.

I took them and the water. I set the glass on the table and he glared at me.

“What?”

“You need to drink all of the water.”

“Ezra.” His name sounded like a whine.

He crossed his arms over his lean chest and stared down at me. God, he was fucking relentless.

With a groan I picked up the glass once more and downed it.