I tried to distract myself. Thankfully, Petter and Sandra kept me company. Like always, the three of u

t to tell me what's go

o her embrace and let mys

ir

Pet

at a restaurant today." He paused, th

e the last thing I wanted was to

home with you." Sandra leaned over a

dra. Rea

ed, clearl

Ana invited me to a

re actual

on the wall and sighed. "I shou

re pushing myself off the cou

e back tonight," Petter ca

fun!" I shouted bac

e? I was stuck killing time, all because of

the slightest idea who I really was. Every possible outcome played out in my head, one after another, until my mind landed on the most ridiculous one of all. Him falling in love with me. I knew it was nothing more th

hed for my phone with heavy eyes. Ana's name f

na

here!" she instructed, her

e with Britney," Sam shouted, cu

usly tell Sam

hat have to

ttered, struggling to keep her words straigh

Sam yelled, laughing so hard she could barely spe

ed my voice. "Ana. Sam." Nothing came back through the phone. Panic crept in fast.

had been saving it for a special occasion, but since that moment never came, tonight would have to do. After a quick glance at my shoes, I settled on black platform heels. Anything taller felt like

single man, then Mrs. McNight could remin

cars had always been my weakness, and I bought this one the moment I turned eig

before I remembered I would not be waiting with the rest of them. The place belonged to Pedro's father, an old family friend. Showing up was rare for

he entrance witho

iss Navarro!" I acknowledged him with a brief

s clear, I moved

hrough the air while the lights flashed nonstop. I reached into

he speakers, drawing my attenti

Liz," I muttered

I did my best to avoid stepping on toes, though the

and a few people shifted

finally spotted Ana and Sam on the dance flo

na yelled whe

ou guy

of us might strip, and she showed up imme

two. That was low." I

d, putting on an exaggerated po

ng my arm. Ana followed right behind her, alrea

body follow the beat and stopped thinking about how stiff I probably looked

d not seen him anywhere, yet my gaze kept drifting through the crowd again and again. Part of me

rapped around me, sinking into my skin and guiding every

was when a man standing with his back turned caught my eye. A crisp white shirt and blac

ound, our eyes locked, an

ntense, and the crease between his brows made it

napped me out of it. He sa

l like

his hand and emptied i

over the music, la

Sam. I finished each one just as quickly. Heat spread through my body, my

the spot where Henry had been s

s lined up with mine. Our bodies closed the distance as his hands settled at my waist, and I rolled into the rhythm without thinking. Heat followed the contact, and the realization of how into it he

amiliar, the kind of closeness I had not allowed myself in years. My pa

oever ruined it, but a cold splash hit my dress instead. Liquid soaked into the fabric, and frustration w

again, he was stand

"Miss Navarro." My eyes fluttered shut onc

een illegal. Of all peop

replied, forcing

my hand, and a sharp jolt ran through me a

or the man I had been dancing with, but

arted dabbing at my dress. The moment his hand brushed the space between my breasts, he froz

om his hand, and as I finished drying myse

expression shifte

pped back into the crowd, scanning every face as I

voice followed me,

view near the edge

asked, gesturing to

ght spilled a dr

efore

memory replayed. "Someone slammed into me, and when I

e responded, soundi

start

, he wouldn't have interru

ow me. He did not understand the strange, com

it was only when the sky began to hint at

ne. I'm compl

Igor slowed his steps beside me

ove m

hesitated. I answered with a brief

street. I slid into my own seat but did not start the engine right away. Instead, I

yes, Henry stood there, close enough to startle me. I lifted my hands

sked, already annoyed a

e a ride?" he asked, a crook

got to be

in only grew, making the situat

turing toward a vehicle par

call a

I lost m

anted to drive off and leave him standing in that parking lot. The othe

s fingers in front of my face

y if you agree

t would

ersation," I replied,

Alri

" I inst

d myself behind the wheel, and started the engine. Leaving the club behind felt stra

id after a moment

my eyes and keeping my

d." He lifted his hand

he GPS," I said, still r

u where to go, but I have not been here

een us before he spoke again

way

es fixed on the road.

ff at the next corner," I warned, fo

ll appreciat

ing in one of your classes, and from wh

ready have you righ

my face at his

h," he said

cheek

sked, changing the subject

ore bl

d man, he seemed far too comfortable crossing lines. Fine. If he wanted to play games, I could

he said, pointing a

ve. "Aren't you getting out? You can invite yo

thank

d, and there was something unmi

t. I am

d, seriousness replac

muttered as he stepped out, lean

ot give me

lets you go out

one of you

st in thought for

ou tom

way, and when I checked the rearview mirror, he was stil