All In by Fallon O'Donahue Read Free Book Online Page B

then I’m not your girl.”
    Toph stopped in his tracks. “I-, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean…”
    “Yes, you did. You meant it. And that’s okay. You could’ve said it better, and you might not have yelled it at me and promptly turn toward a hoochie mama at the bar. So, yeah, you could’ve handled yourself better, but don’t be someone you’re not, either.”
    “I’m not that guy. Really, I’m not,” Toph took her hand and led her into the theater. “Normally, I’m pretty much like this. I like you. I like how you just tell me how it is. I liked our conversation. I was hurt, drunk, and an idiot.”
    “And you’re okay not getting any?”
    “Ever?”
    Cass laughed as she took her seat. “You’re a man. Of course not. I mean, for now?” She looked up at him, trying to keep the raging worry from showing in her eyes. Frigid Bitch Queen had started to melt, revealing a little of the vulnerability hidden beneath the ice.
    He took her hand. “For now.”
    She smiled. “Okay, then.”

    * * *
    L o and Dan managed to make it into the theater seconds before the lights went down, bringing water and popcorn, even. Cass smiled and congratulated her friend on actually following through, though both looked a little more rumpled than before they’d arrived.
    The movie was pretty bad, which explained the mostly empty theater. Lo and Dan were back to making out within seconds, and Toph and Cass took it as an opportunity to make snarky comments about the film.
    “‘Oh, Greg, please don’t leave me. My woefully feminine heart can’t take it!” Cass whispered to Toph.
    “No! You must be my woman. Make food in kitchen. Bang on chest,” he growled.
    Cass laughed. He really was easy to talk to, and the awkwardness was lost.
    As the lights came up, they agreed that drinks were in order. After sitting through that terrible movie, they needed something to wash the pain away.
    “Not getting laid, Toph,” she whispered, as they walked over to the bar.
    He took her hand. “I know.”
    “As long as we’re clear now.”
    He stopped in his tracks, pulling her back. “Not now. I know. But Cass,” he said, pulling her into a kiss—his lips firm and demanding. He broke away and whispered against her lips, “One day. And that’s a promise. From me.”
    Cass blinked and tried to catch her breath as they stepped into the bar. It was a Thursday night, so it was busy, but not like the madhouse it probably became on weekends. She was grateful for the noise that filled the space, because her brain was unable to form cohesive thoughts. She’d be useless in a conversation. She practically fell into the booth, and Toph penned her in, his hand on her thigh, his fingers tracing circles on her jeans.
    “Drinks?” Dan asked.
    “B-beer,” Cass stammered, and Lo smiled as she gave them her ridiculously fruity order.
    “Dish!” Lo demanded, scooting closer.
    “Nothing.”
    “That kiss wasn’t nothing!” Lo pinched her arm.
    “Ow!” she shrieked, and a few eyes peered over at them. She looked at the men at the bar and blushed. “You saw?”
    “Yes, I saw. And you’re still dazed. Boy can kiss then?” she grinned.
    “But boy still can’t be trusted,” she grumbled. It didn’t matter that the kiss was swoon worthy and left her breathless. She wasn’t so into letting an attraction make her forget a hurt. Trust was a really big deal, and she didn’t trust him enough to let him get into her pants.
    “Girrrrllll, enjoy this. Stop thinking so much.”
    Cass glared at her. For Lo this was so easy. She was so free. So open. She wasn’t riddled with anxiety. “It’s what I do.”
    “Then do something else,” she said, and sat up straight. “Here they come.”
    “So, dancing?”
    “No,” Toph and Cass said in unison.
    Lo stuck out her tongue at Cass. “Mature, Lo. Real mature,” Cass teased.

    * * *
    T he conversation flowed easy , just as it had the last time they were all together. No matter how comfortable it