My One Night: An On My Own Novel by Carrie Ryan (life books to read .txt) 📕

we ever going to get coffee together? Or is texting all you want?

I blinked at the abrupt change and realized that all three girls were standing behind my chair now, looking over at my texts. I glared at them, but…they might as well look. I would tell them anyway.

Me: Um, I could do coffee.

Dillon: Or maybe dinner? It doesn’t have to be coffee. That way, we don’t have to wake up too early for our morning classes.

My hands froze, and Natalie and Nessa each squeezed one of my shoulders as Corinne came in front of me, clasping her hands in front of herself. “Do it. Say yes.”

I met her gaze and then glanced at the others. “This isn’t what we signed up for.”

Nessa waved me off. “Who cares? Just because you said you wanted a one-night stand doesn’t mean that was guaranteed to happen. Enjoy yourself. You’re already texting. You’re way past the idea and concept of a one-night stand.”

I sighed and looked down at my fingers. I knew what I wanted. It just worried me that what I wanted might not be the best thing for me.

“Do it,” Nessa said.

“Please?” Natalie added.

I winced, looked down at my phone, and typed.

Me: Dinner might be nice. On a day that you’re not working. That way we can just relax.

Dillon: Sounds like a plan. I’d like to see you again, Elise. Just to make sure I remember what you look like. It feels like it’s been ages.

“Aww,” Natalie whispered, and Nessa giggled.

I glared at them and went back to my phone.

Me: Well, I guess it’s a date.

Dillon: I guess so.

I cringed, my hands shaking.

Dillon: See you soon. 

I had a date with Dillon Connolly. One I had told myself I didn’t want and wouldn’t have.

And yet, I was falling into the abyss.

And I was afraid I would never find my way out again if I weren’t careful.

Chapter 7

Dillon

I was going to be late, and I knew exactly why. It was always the same reason these days—that damn text.

Unknown Number: You owe me, boy. I’ll be seeing you soon.

I knew who it was, and I ignored it just like I had all the others. I had to. It’d end up hurting those I loved if I didn’t. But it still didn’t help me relax so I could go out on this date, thinking about the fact that my deadbeat sperm donor was still out there. Waiting.

And now I was running late. If I weren’t careful, I would miss the date with Elise altogether. And considering that I wasn’t sure if she wanted to be out with me tonight at all, I was terrified it would scare her away if I didn’t show up on time. I didn’t know how she had become so important to me so quickly, at least in the sense that I wanted to get to know her, wanted to find out more about her. Yet, there was no changing it. I couldn’t go back to the way things were before, and I wanted to know Elise. To find out what made her tick and to just be with her. In whatever way she let me.

But that wouldn’t happen if I ran late.

“Knock, knock,” Pacey said from the doorway. I looked up to see my friend giving me an odd look.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, and he cleared his throat.

“Nothing. I was checking to see if you were ready for tonight. Big date.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “I don’t know if you’re being sarcastic or not,” I said, studying his face.

Pacey shook his head. “I’m sarcastic often, but not about this. I’m excited to see you out with Elise. She seems nice.”

“She is nice. I really hope I’m not late, and I don’t fuck it up, though.”

“Well, then don’t fuck up.”

I snorted. “That is such a great pep talk, thank you.”

Pacey just smiled. “I do my best.”

“Anyway, where are you going?”

“I was thinking of that café across campus. Though it’s not really a café, is it? More like a place to go and get dinner. But it sounded good.”

“Yeah, it’s a good place for a first date. Not too fancy since you don’t need to spend too much money. But it’s also not a Denny’s, or someplace you would take your high school girlfriend.”

“I didn’t have time for girlfriends in high school,” I said dryly.

“Boyfriends?”

“Those either,” I said with a laugh.

“Well, I’m sure you can catch up now.”

I frowned. “I don’t know if I want to catch up per se. But going out with Elise tonight is a start.” I slid my shirt over my head, the sweater a decent cut that looked like a fancy Henley. Pacey looked at me and tilted his head. “Yes, that will do.”

I snorted. “Thank you for your acceptance of what I’m wearing for the evening.”

“You couldn’t do it without me,” he said dryly.

I rolled my eyes. “Seriously, though. I said I would meet Elise there because she had class and wanted to head home first and didn’t want to be late. So, I should probably get there before she’s sitting and waiting for me, thinking that I stood her up.”

“That would be good. And have Elise tell her friends I said hi.”

I paused, looking at him. “How well do you know her friends?”

“I know Corinne and Nessa. We had a class together last year and studied well. They’re good people. I like them.”

“Like them, like them?” I asked, teasing.

“Since I’m not in primary school, I’m not going to demean myself to answer that question. However, I do like them, and I was the one who mentioned my roommates—therefore you—to Corinne. And because of that, she introduced you to Elise. So, this date tonight is kind of all because of me.”

I shook my head and laughed. “That’s good to know. Well, I’m headed out.”

“Sounds like a plan. Have fun. And use protection.”

I flipped him off, a smile playing on my lips, and made sure I had the condoms in my back pocket. Not that I expected to go there tonight, but