Edge of seventeen

Chapter 44

Walking into Elliot's house always felt like stepping into a whirlwind of energy and charm. Today was no different. Elliot had invited me over with his usual laid-back nonchalance, but there was an undercurrent of excitement in his voice that hinted at something more. I couldn't help but feel curious and a bit apprehensive as I approached his door.

When Elliot opened it, his signature smirk was already in place. "Hey, Asher. Welcome to my humble abode. You ready for some high-quality hangout time?"

I stepped inside, trying to keep my cool despite the way his smile made my stomach flutter. "Sure, I'm ready. What's the plan for today?"

Elliot closed the door behind me and led me into the living room, his eyes never leaving mine. "Plan? Just the usual—chilling, catching up, and maybe a bit of flirting. Though, with you looking this good today, I might not be able to keep my hands to myself."

I raised an eyebrow, half-amused and half-exasperated. "Is that so? You really think you can keep up the flirting game all day?"

"Flirting is an art form, my friend," Elliot replied with a grin. "And I've been practicing. You should know by now that I'm a bit of a master at it."

I shook my head with a chuckle as I followed him to the couch. "You're something else, Elliot. But I guess it's part of your charm."

Elliot flopped onto the couch and patted the spot next to him. "Come on, sit down. Let's get comfortable. And before you ask, yes, I did intentionally choose this spot so I could be close to you."

I sat down, trying to ignore the way my pulse quickened at his proximity. "You really don't hold back, do you?"

"Why should I?" Elliot leaned in closer, his voice lowering to a playful whisper. "You know I'm not exactly shy about how I feel. And you, my friend, are looking exceptionally sexy today. It's hard not to notice."

I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks, but I tried to play it off. "Thanks, I guess. You're really going all out with the compliments today."

Elliot's grin widened, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, I'm just getting started. If I had my way, I'd be telling you how much I want to—" He stopped mid-sentence, clearly enjoying the way he had my attention.

"Want to what?" I asked, playing along despite the heat in my cheeks.

He leaned back, crossing his arms behind his head. "Well, if we're being honest, I'd probably want to get a little more hands-on. You know, like maybe take you out and show you how amazing you are in every possible way."

I laughed, shaking my head. "You're incorrigible."

"Guilty as charged," Elliot said with a wink. "But seriously, if I had to pick a future husband, it would definitely be you. Not that I'm saying you're into that idea, but hey, a guy can dream."

We spent the next few hours in the living room, watching TV, chatting, and just enjoying each other's company. Elliot's flirtation continued unabated. He'd casually comment on how good I looked or how much he enjoyed being around me. Even though I knew he didn't expect anything in return, it was hard not to be affected by his constant attention.

Around mid-afternoon, Elliot decided to spice things up a bit. "Hey, you want to play a game or something? Maybe a little truth or dare?"

I raised an eyebrow. "You really think you can handle the consequences of that?"

"Bring it on," Elliot said confidently. "I'm always up for a challenge."

The game started out as expected, with harmless dares and silly truths. But Elliot's dares were always designed to make me blush, and he didn't hold back on his comments.

"Alright, Asher," Elliot said, leaning in with that devilish grin of his. "Dare: Let me slap your ass. I need to see if it's as great as it looks."

I laughed, shaking my head. "You're unbelievable. But sure, why not?"

Elliot's eyes lit up as he performed the dare with exaggerated flair. "Damn, that was better than I expected. You're not just good-looking, you've got a great ass too."

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help but smile. "You're something else, Elliot. I don't even know how to respond to that."

"Don't worry, I've got plenty more where that came from," Elliot said with a wink.

As the evening rolled around, Elliot's flirting didn't let up. He continued to shower me with compliments, making it clear how much he enjoyed my company. Despite the fact that I didn't share his feelings, I appreciated the attention and enjoyed the playful banter.

Eventually, it was time for me to leave. Elliot walked me to the door, giving me one last lingering look. "Thanks for coming over, Asher. I had a blast."

"Yeah, me too," I said, smiling. "Even if you did turn up the flirtation dial to eleven."

Elliot grinned. "What can I say? When I see someone as amazing as you, I can't help but show it. And if you ever change your mind about that future husband thing, you know where to find me."

I laughed, shaking my head. "I'll keep that in mind. See you around, Elliot."

As I left his house, I felt a mix of emotions. Elliot's relentless flirting, while not something I could reciprocate, had a way of brightening my day. Our friendship was strong, and even though things between us were complicated, I was grateful to have him in my life.