He pushed through a swinging door and flicked on some lights and I was totally dazzled. The living room, kitchen, and dining area were an open floor plan. A large sectional sofa sat in front of the huge windows overlooking the forest, a beautiful stone fireplace sat to the right. Just off to the left of the living area was an enormous kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, and a magnificent island with gas range stove top.

The dining room was truly spectacular. A magnificent cherry wood dining table sat in an alcove off of the kitchen, again the wall was one large window over looking the lake. A glass chandelier hung above the table. Wood floors, interspersed with area rugs ran throughout the downstairs.

I walked to the window in the dining area and looked out. It was a sunny day and the lake glistened. I could see a gazebo down below with screens enclosing it. Clay came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder. He pointed to the gazebo. “That's where the jacuzzi is. We will be enjoying that later.” He nibbled my ear lobe, making me giggle.

“So who gets what rooms, dude?” Ray asked. Clay let me go and turned around. He pointed down a hallway leading off from the kitchen. “There are two bedrooms down there. Each has its own bathroom. You guys can decide who gets what.” He tugged on my hand and I followed him to a spiral staircase hidden to the right of the dining nook.

He looked at me mischievously. “You and I get the room up here.” I followed him up the stairs that led to a loft area. The room was the entire size of the downstairs. “Oh my god, Clay!” I said breathlessly. Again, it was the windows. There was only one wall made of wood, the other three were nothing but glass. It was like being outside. An enormous California king- sized bed sat in the middle of the room. There were stairs off to the side that went down into a sunken area with a whirlpool bathtub and two pedestal sinks.

“We get to sleep in here? Are you kidding me?'” I asked incredulously. I ran and jumped on the bed, laughing as I bounced. Clay stalked toward me and made a show of crawling on the bed until he was over top of me. I looked up into his face and smiled. I was so happy.

He pressed his mouth to mine, his tongue invading and conquering. I groaned as he licked my bottom lip, teasing it with his teeth. “Nothing but the best for you, Maggie.” He said softly into the skin of my neck as he nuzzled me. I rain my fingers through his hair and molded my body against his. Clay left light kisses along the side of my face as he interlaced his fingers with mine.

“This place is seriously unbelievable. Thank you so much for inviting us.” I told him as he pulled me tighter against him. Running his fingertips down my face, Clay smiled. “I know things have been tense lately. I haven't given you many reasons to smile.” I started to protest, but he covered my mouth with his finger.

“I'm not blind. I know what being with me has done to your life. I see how your friends, your parents, hell, everybody, looks at you because you're with me. I haven't done much to give them a positive impression of me. I just wanted a chance to prove that I'm not such a bad guy. For your friends to see how much you mean to me and that I would literally do anything in the world for you. Then maybe, they wouldn't look at us like we shouldn't be together.”

I hated that this is where we found ourselves. That he was so aware of the fact that no one understood our relationship and what we meant to each other. I wasn't sure one night with my friends would erase the months of damage. But I wanted to be as positive about it as he was.

“I love you.” I whispered before kissing him again, wanting to take away the sadness and pain that never seemed to leave Clay's face.

“Uh guys, we have a problem here.” I heard Rachel call from downstairs. Clay sighed and rested his forehead on my chest. “That doesn't sound good.” Clay commented. I chuckled and got up. “Come on. Let's go see what monumental crisis we have to avert.” I straightened my rumpled shirt and smoothed my hair before following Clay downstairs.

Ray and Clare were gone when we entered the kitchen. Daniel was sitting on one of the stools at the island, his head propped on his hand, looking annoyed. “What's up?” I asked, looking at Daniel, who I knew from experience was usually the source of Rachel's problem.

Daniel rolled his eyes. “You'd have to ask her. I don't see that there is any problem.” I looked at Rachel, waiting for her to explain. “I'll tell you what the problem is. There is only one extra room! And there's only one queen sized bed in there! I told Daniel, if he were a gentleman, he'd sleep on the couch, but he's refusing. He says I'm being ridiculous! Can you believe it? Him calling me ridiculous? That's just rich!” Rachel shot daggers at Daniel, who looked bored with the whole debate.

“Uh, Rach, it's not like you haven't shared a bed with Daniel before.” I reminded her. Rachel huffed. “We were like eight. That does not count, okay. Tell him he has to sleep on the couch, Clay.” Rachel turned to my boyfriend, drawing him squarely into the middle of the argument. Clay looked flustered and his eyes found mine in silent appeal. I knew he was worried about making Rachel any angrier. But I didn't know how to help him, so I just shrugged.

Clay put his hand through his hair in that flustered way he was known for. “Well, Rachel. I can't really say who gets the bedroom. I mean, that's really something the two of you have to decide.” Rachel looked like she wanted to throw something.