The Hazards of a One Night Stand by Alyssa Rose Ivy Page A

date. You don’t want a guy thinking either.
    “My middle name is Alice. My favorite color is blue. I love nice boys and fast cars.”
    He laughed. “Is that so? What about fast boys and nice cars?”
    “Fast boys? Shouldn’t you say bad boys?”
    He shrugged. “Do you want me to say that?” He lowered his voice. “Do you want me to be a bad boy?”
    “I already told you I like nice boys.”
    “What does nice entail?”
    “If you don’t know, then you’re not one.”
    He laughed dryly. “I know.”
    “Good. Then don’t waste your time asking.” I pushed back my chair.
    I headed toward the front of the restaurant, and Tanner’s hand settled on the small of my back. He opened my car door for me, and waited until I was buckled before pulling away from the curb. Each time he did something gentleman-like, he glanced at me.
    “Are you trying to make sure I noticed how nice you are?”
    “Maybe.”
    “You’re a goof ball.”
    “Goof ball? That’s a new one. Usually girls call me something else.”
    “Oh yeah?”
    “Yeah. Maybe later we’ll find out if you do too.”
    “Later?” I raised an eyebrow.
    “Later.”
    He parked by his house. I assumed he planned on drinking since the party was still a few blocks away. I appreciated him thinking ahead, but I wasn’t exactly looking forward to walking home in heels.
    He must have noticed my reaction. “Don’t worry, I can carry you home.”
    “Not to your place.” I closed the car door.
    “Oh? You sure about that?” He wrapped his hand around mine as we walked.
    “Absolutely.”
    “We’ll see about that.”

Chapter Ten
    The mixer was in full swing when we arrived. I glanced around the crowded bar, looking for my friends. I’d learned it was easier to find their boyfriends. Both guys, especially Reed, were huge. The first face I noticed wasn’t any of them. Colt smiled when he caught my eye. Unable to resist, I smiled back.
    “What’s your drink?” Tanner asked.
    “You don’t already know?” I said sarcastically.
    “You want me to guess?”
    “Sure. Surprise me.”
    “All right. Be right back.” He walked over to the bar. I wandered into the crowd, determined to find someone I knew.
    Colt found me first. “Hey, pumpkin.” He stopped inches in front of me.
    “Hey.” I didn’t bother pretending I was unhappy to see him. He wouldn’t have bought it for a second. I didn’t want to lead him on, but I really wanted us to go back to being friends.
    “How was dinner?”
    “Oh.” I felt a wave of guilt but tried to shrug it off. I’d never pretended to have an interest in dating Colt. In fact, I’d been doing the opposite. Well, besides sleeping with him once.
    “Oh?” He took a sip of his beer. “Is that all you have to say?”
    “It was great.” I tried to smile to add believability.
    “Great, huh?” He raised an eyebrow. “Does that mean you’re going out with him again?” The unmistakable look of jealousy crossed his face.
    “Maybe. I haven’t decided yet.”
    “Decided what?” Tanner returned, slipping an arm around my waist as he handed me a glass with a clear liquid and mint leaves.
    “Nothing.”
    “Whether you’re getting another date.” Colt spoke at the same time as me.
    I glared at him.
    “Oh? And what did you decide?” Tanner’s arm tightened around me.
    “Jury’s still out,” Colt filled in before I could.
    “I wasn’t asking you, pledge .” Tanner turned to me. “What do you say?”
    “I didn’t hear you ask me out again, so there’s no reason to think about it yet.” Our first date definitely hadn’t been amazing, but a second wasn’t ruled out completely.
    “Oh yeah? Okay.” He grinned. “Want to go out again?”
    “That depends.” I’d walked into the trap myself.
    “On?”
    I made my decision. I’d give him another chance, but I wasn’t going to outright admit it yet. “Whether you picked out a good drink.”
    “Then take a sip. Don’t leave me hanging.”
    I sipped the