Extraits

Il sourit gentiment et désigna l'infirmière rousse qui attendait à proximité.

— Vous devriez y aller. Je vais attendre Abe.

J'acquiesçai avec empressement et je serrai impulsivement son épaule à la dernière seconde.

C'était censé être un geste de solidarité. Une démonstration physique et innocente d'appréciation et de soutien.

La décharge immédiate au bout de mes doigts était alarmante. Je le regardai à nouveau, m'assurant de rester sur son étrange tee-shirt afin de retrouver mon équilibre.

Cependant, au moment où nos yeux se croisèrent, j'eus dans l'idée que quelque chose venait de chambouler mon monde.

Sinon, comment pourrais-je expliquer le sentiment d'avoir rencontré une personne extraordinaire ?

« Hi there. I’m Zeke. Benny’s boyfriend, » I announced, offering my hand and a friendly smile to the surprised-looking young man. « You’re Eric, right? »

« Uh… yeah, » he answered cautiously.

Benny’s eyes went wide. He shook his head furiously but seemed at a loss for words.

« You have a boyfriend? » Eric asked incredulously.

« He’s not my boyfriend. »

« Yes, I am. I’ll wait over there while you say your good-byes, baby. » I kissed his cheek and pointed toward a nearby lamppost where I figured I could keep an eye on him at a reasonable distance.

« He’s—not himself. » Benny tossed a sharp look my way before addressing his friend. « Want to go back inside or—? »

« I don’t think your boyfriend would approve, » Eric griped with an annoyed huff.

« I wouldn’t, » I yelled, waving at the men standing a few feet away.

I could hear Benny’s melodic voice, but I couldn’t make out the words from my new position. I studied them, wondering for the first time if I’d had more to drink than I’d thought. Why else would I be making a gigantic fool of myself? Perhaps I was guilty of forcing something that wasn’t there to satisfy my bruised ego. Attraction was a two-way street. Maybe Benny’s type was more along the lines of a college theater geek than a thirty-one-year-old businessman with seemingly more pride than sense.

I closed my eyes for a moment and tried to formulate a new plan. Preferably one that led home. I needed a restart.

I started when someone smacked my cheek lightly and pulled at my arm. « Wake up, Zeke. »

I lifted one eyelid and gave Benny a lopsided smile. « Hiya, baby. »

He set his hands on his hips and gave me one of his signature thorough once-overs before letting me have it in Italian. I had no clue what he was saying, but the gist was probably « you suck. » He ended his tirade by pushing his hand through his hair and then raising it to hail a taxi.

« Hey! Where you goin’? » I asked in my most unpolished Brooklyn accent as I stepped away from the lamppost.

« Come on. I’m taking you home. »

« Your place or mine? » When he ignored me, I tugged at his hand. « Where’s your date? »

« Congratulations. You scared him away. »

« Yes! » I pumped my fist in the air and hooted before giving the driver my address. Then I turned to face Benny. « My evil plan worked. It’s probably for the best. He looked boring. »

« As opposed to straight-up irritating? »

I gave him a sideways, lascivious glance with raised eyebrows and was pleased when he let out a reluctant chuckle.

« You wanna know somethin’, Benny? »

« What? »

« I think you like me. And I’m beginning to I think you might be my type after all. »

« It’s dark in here so maybe you can’t see, but I’m rolling my eyes. »

« It’s a start, » I replied cheerfully.