She puts a small hand on my leg, and suddenly I realize this super-cute girl is actually flirting with me. Me! “Did River put you up to this?”

“Up to what?”

“You know, talking to me.”

“Don’t be lame. I actually wasn’t going to come tonight. I had a student council thing to attend—I’m class secretary until the new elections are held. But the meeting with the dean let out early.”

“So, again, why are you talking to me?” I say in the nicest voice I can muster. I really don’t want to sound like a dick, and it’s a legit question.

She jerks her head back. “Because you looked like a fish out of water and needed someone to hang with. Are you always this paranoid?”

Of course I’m paranoid. She’s hot, easily the cutest girl in the room, and she’s being nice to me. “Sorry. Guess it’s the tequila. I’m new to its powers.”

“Ah…” She snickers. “So you’re usually the shy type, huh? You know,” she leans in closer, giving me a whiff of her perfume. It’s something sweet, like her, “I think we can use more real men like you around here. But shhh…” She holds her index finger to her lips. “Don’t tell all the Neanderthals in the room. They’ll feel threatened and start throwing tantrums.”

Her lips curve into a gorgeous, sparkly-white-toothed grin.

I want her. And I’ve never really wanted anyone. But this girl is…well…like a bucket of sunshine, and I just want to dump her all over my head.