OBSESSED

1

LEAH

I tossed back the rest of my whiskey coke and winced as the liquor scorched its way to the center of my chest.

Unsurprisingly, the burn didn't at all mollify the steady ache that had swallowed my heart up after its tumble down the Stairway of Love. Even in my semi-drunken stupor, I knew alcohol wasn't the solution.

But I also knew calling up my ex to lament over our shattered relationship wasn't the solution either—which was exactly what I'd be doing now if not for Ryan.

"I think I want another," I muttered.

Ryan cocked his head up from where he remained posted at my side like a sentinel. His focus lifted from his phone screen to me.

As set his phone aside on the varnished bar top, the blue light cast an appreciable glow over his sharp and angled features.

His full dark lips quirked in a frown. "Another is the last thing you need, Loca. No offense."

He grabbed my empty glass and set it beside his half-full pint of Bud Light.

My lips pulled down in a pout as I protested, "Offense taken. I thought we came out tonight to nurse my wounds of love. I'm only, like, halfway to where I need to be."

Somewhere behind us, a drunk guy started singing very off-key to a Beyonce song and I failed to filter my horror in this state of intoxication.

"Jesus, he's terrible."

Indulging me with a chuckle, Ryan rolled his eyes. "I've heard you sing karaoke drunk and you're no Celine Dion, Loca."

"I mean, that's fair. Singing has never been my forte," I admitted with a sigh. "Apparently, I'm not so good at relationships either."

I knew I was getting annoying blabbering on about my failed strike at commitment, but I was only trying to relieve that damn ache in my chest that wouldn't go away.

I previously believed a good shot of fun would do the trick, but Ryan was being a party pooper tonight.

"Don't beat yourself up about it," he told me, all joking aside. "Danny was a selfish prick. He obviously doesn't know what he's lost."

Ryan wasn't one to compliment so I understood that was his best shot at making me feel better. I smiled and leaned my head on his shoulder.

"But for real," he muttered, his deep voice sending vibrations through my body, "don't let him reel you in again. You deserve better."

I just nodded.

Isabelle would have done much better at partying with me and making me forget what I was going through, but this was good too.

"Thanks," I said. "So, who were you so busy texting over there, mister?"

"My mom," he said. He spoke just a little too quickly and his dark eyes darted away.

"That's an awfully lot of emojis for your mother."

His jaw dropped as he looked back at me. "You snoop!"