"You think we're almost there?" Hailey asked, stretching as she woke from her nap in the passenger seat. She glanced up at her husband Liam, who was speeding down the freeway.
"Yeah, hon. Another hour or two."
"Okay, good. So, we're visiting with your family all tomorrow, and then what, it's New Year's Eve. What do you think we should do?"
"Well, we could always go out and hit the town."
"That could be fun. I've always stayed home on New Year's before," she mused.
"We could always try and call Devon, see what he's up to," he said, looking at her out of the corner of his eye.
"Hmm," she said noncomittally.
-----
Hailey had been in her junior year of college when she met Devon. Both studying the same subject, they had struck up a friendship, and an occasional flirtation. She was only a little surprised when he started dating her good friend Maureen - also in their major. She hadn't been bothered, really, but it did cool their flirting somewhat. She'd been so busy her senior year in college that she hadn't paid too much attention to the relationship developing between her two friends, though Maureen did occasionally bitch to her that Devon didn't seem to have much of a sex drive.
Still, the longer they dated, the more Devon apparently felt free to resume flirtation with Hailey whenever Maureen wasn't around. Maureen's complaint did make her wonder if Devon was really all bark and no bite. Maybe he flirted because he knew it would most likely not end up going anywhere. Who knew? At first, she felt a little weird about it, but reasoned that if he wasn't even having sex with his girlfriend, he definitely wasn't going to have it with anyone else.
Her 21st birthday had been three months before her graduation from college, and she went out to celebrate with Devon and Maureen, and a couple of other friends. She'd had a few cocktails, but was still feeling pretty sober when they returned to the dorms.
"Okay, okay, lets grab some drinks and head out to the hot tub!" suggested Maureen.
"But I don't have my suit. I'll have to go back to my room to change," said Hailey.
"No, come on, just go in your underwear. It probably covers just as much."
"I - well, okay," she agreed. While Maureen was changing into her bathing suit, Hailey and Devon grabbed the drinks, and they all trooped out to the hot tub behind the dorms. Hailey popped the top of her "liquid courage" gulping some of it down.
"Come on, come on!" encouraged Maureen, clearly already more than tipsy. Hailey tried to ignore Devon's eyes on her as she stripped her jeans and shirt off, standing in the chilly air in her purple striped panties and matching bra. She slid into the water without delay, enjoying the bubbling warmth as it enfolded her.
The three friends chatted long after the others in their group had gone home, and soom Hailey felt a hand on her thigh. She glanced up at Devon, but he smiled at her innocently. Eventually, Maureen announced that she was starting to fall asleep, and that she and Devon would go back to her dorm room for the night.
Hailey said goodbye to them, feeling almost relieved that Devon had left. She floated on her back, letting her mind wander, until she heard a voice. She sat up suddenly, looking up to where Devon was standing. Her head felt fuzzy from the alcohol.
"Why aren't you with Maureen?"
"Oh, she's asleep already. She told me to come back and make sure you got home safe."
"Mmm, oh, I'm fine," Hailey said, hoisting herself out of the hot tub. She felt a little dizzy, but she shook her head, hoping to clear it.
"No, let me walk you back to your room at least," he said, taking her arm. When she stumbled a little, she knew she shouldn't protest, and let him walk along with her. She shivered in the cold breeze, feeling her nipples hardening and standing out through the soaked fabric of her bra. He drew her in a little closer, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
"You know, uh, I really wanted to ask you out last year," he said.
"Why didn't you?" she asked, surprised.
"Well, because I guess I always thought you were dating someone."
"I was when we first met, but I broke up with him pretty soon after that."
"Oh. Would you have said yes?" It was a dangerous question. Even in her inebriated state, she could see that. They were close to her dorm, but not close enough for her to ignore the question. She thought about it. He was pretty cute, with curly light brown hair and a nice body, perfect for cuddling or... other things.
"Yes."
They walked up to the door of her suite together, and she unlocked the door. Seemed like her roommates were either out or asleep. She turned to Devon, shuffling her feet, looking up at him and feeling like she was on a date.
"Well... thanks for walking me home."
He held his arms out for a hug. Oh, what the hell, they'd hugged plenty of times before. Just never when she was in her underwear. She moved into him, let him pull her close. But when she went to draw back, she found him leaning down toward her, covering her mouth with his. She couldn't have said why, but she kissed him back. He slipped his tongue into her mouth, and she felt a flood of moisture in her already-wet panties. God, he was a good kisser. But oh, she had to stop this. If he came into her suite, she knew they would have sex. Maybe it would be amazing, but would it be worth it?
She pulled back, breathing faster. "No, no, we can't. Not while you're dating Maureen. It wouldn't be right."
"I know, I know you're right. I'm sorry," he said, before he kissed her again. She was crushed up against him, and she felt something hard pressing into her abdomen. She felt heat rush up to her face, and she pushed back again.
"Maureen told me you didn't have much of a sex drive," she said.
"That's what I told her, but it's mostly that I don't want to have sex with her."
"Then why did you ask her out?"
He gave her a pained look. "I guess I thought maybe I would start wanting to have sex with her. She is really nice and we have a lot in common. But she's not like you," he said, his eyes roaming her body again. She felt flattered, but...
"I have to go inside now. See you tomorrow?"
"Yeah, yeah, of course," he said with a smile and a wave. Hailey went in, shut and locked the door, took a deep breath. It was all for the best, she thought, and she knew Devon would agree. If not tonight, then tomorrow, when they were all sober.
-----
Hailey wasn't all that surprised when Devon hadn't broken up with Maureen to be with her after that night, and they had never spoken of it since. She met Liam - one of Devon's friends - not long after, and when Devon and Maureen finally broke up, Hailey and Liam were getting serious. It had been three years since that night, and she and Liam were now married.
"Sure, I guess we could go see Devon. But I'm not sure it would be a good idea for us all to go drinking," she mused. She had, of course, eventually told Liam about what had happened between herself and Devon. He hadn't thought much of it.
"Why, do you think something might happen?" he asked casually.
"Maybe," she replied carefully.
"Do you want it to?"
"Maybe."
"Okay, well, let's just see what happens," he said. She narrowed her eyes, looking at him, but his expression gave nothing away. Early on in their relationship, they had discussed who they would want as a third if they ever decided to invite someone into their bedroom. Devon's name had come up as someone they both knew and trusted. So obviously Liam knew she was attracted to Devon, but that conversation had never gone anywhere. Probably never would.
-----
The last night of the year. Hailey and Liam were spending it somewhere that almost never got cold, and she was thrilled to be able to pull out a sexy outfit for the night. She didn't want to admit it to herself, but she was dressing for Devon even more than her own husband. She spent longer than usual in front of the mirror, making sure everything looked perfect. After awhile, she got a glimpse of Liam giving her a knowing smile in the mirror.
"You ready to go, beautiful?" he asked.