Where? Do I even know you? I texted back, feeling frustrated.

That’s not a nice thing to say. Look up.

Too busy looking at the polished white floor, I hadn’t realized it was a two story building. My eyes first followed the stairs and then up to my right, then…. Wow…he made me breathless, making time stand still by locking his eyes to mine with that smile he did so well. His expression said it all, calling out for me, and I was responding with my eyes. Wearing a black tuxedo and a crimson tie to match my dress, his body was leaning forward to rest his elbows on the banister, and he looked ever so debonair. I had simply died and gone to heaven.

Spellbound by him, my heart was shown no mercy as it thumped rapidly against my chest. Intensely setting his eyes on mine, his stride toward me was graceful, steady, yet powerful, and dangerous, like a predator setting on its prey. I was immobilized, and he was going to have me for dinner. Oh God! He was coming for me.

With every step he took toward me, my heart pounded harder, wanting and needing him. I could already feel his strong yet gentle hand on my cheek, his breath on my skin, and I was already quivering from his presence alone. Naughty thoughts began to dance in my head, filling me with blazing heat.

Suddenly, his gaze broke, and I saw something purple filter through my vision. With open arms, Megan was quickly approaching him. In fear of what I may see, I turned quickly as my heart dropped to the floor. She might as well have dug her heels through it. Snapping out of the spell, I headed to the bar. When I got there, I had no idea what I was ordering.

“Do you have something sweet with no alcohol?” Forget that. I needed a drink to cool me down from the heat and anger…anger toward him and Megan, and toward myself for being stupid. “Wait…something with a little alcohol…please?”

The bartender was trying to hold in a laugh, most likely knowing my low tolerance to alcohol since I’d said the words “a little.” He reached for a wine glass, poured some liquid from several bottles, and handed it to me. “Here you go. Something sweet, and not too much alcohol.”

“Thank you,” I said. Turning my heels to walk away, I almost ran into Jake. Thank goodness he had retreated several steps, or I would have poured my drink on him. But then again, he would have deserved it for sneaking so close behind me like that.

“There you are. I’ve been looking for you.”

At that moment I needed the distraction, and Jake was there. “Hey Jake.” I lifted my drink to him. “I’m here. I went to get a drink.”

“Me, too. And I also got a drink for you. It’s red wine, nothing special.”

“That was sweet of you. Thank you.”

“Since you already have one, I’ll hold onto this one.”

It went quiet for an awkward second as I glanced around the room for Max. I told myself not to, but I couldn’t help it. When he was nowhere in sight, I took a sip of my drink. Sweet, but I could taste the alcohol. Most people wouldn’t, but being a lightweight, I did for sure. It had the usual effect when I drank a few sips. It felt warm in my chest and my cheeks.

A waitress holding a plate of shrimp in her hands, started to head our direction. She caught my gaze on her plate so she stopped.

“Here you go.” She handed Jake and me napkins as we both reached in to grab some shrimp.

“Thank you,” I said, already devouring the shrimp. Eating that shrimp reminded me that I hadn’t eaten dinner, and how starved I was.

“They’ve done a great job in decorating this place,” I said, breaking the silence. “I mean, even though it’s just a bunch of lights and sofas here and there, it really looks…beautiful. Don’t you think?”

“Yeah, I guess…I don’t really care for the decoration. I like their appetizers and free drinks…and now your company.”

I knew I should say something to respond, but I froze when I saw Max with another lady…one of the runway models. She was tall, blonde, and attractive like the other models. Not wanting to stare, I tried to look away as I wondered what they were talking about to make her giggle like that. But every woman giggled like that around Max. Oh God! Do I? Telling myself to turn around didn’t help. At that point I probably looked like a stalker or a jealous girlfriend, but I was neither. Then something purple got in my way.

“Jenna. Where did you buy your dress?” Megan asked, without even a greeting or a smile.

Not wanting to tell her, I pondered what to say. I had been so excited to see it that I hadn’t questioned it. All I knew was that Max had told me to wait for a few dresses, but only one came…the one I was marveling at, the one that I told him should be on the front cover. Hmmm….

“Jenna. Is that real?” Her eyes were deadlocked to my necklace.

“Borrowed,” I stated, and looked away. From the corner of my eye, I could see the model’s hand brushing against Max’s arm. Pure jealousy raged through me. What is wrong with me? I was just about to turn away when Max caught my stare. He ignored the blonde and winked at me.

Oh please, not the wink! That wink that produced all sorts of crazy flips in my stomach. Without responding or acknowledging him, I turned and gulped down all of my drink. What had I done? Any minute now I’d be looking as red as a stoplight. I needed water. When I turned, Megan was still staring at me.

“So…you came with Mr. Knight? I mean, Max?” She started with her questions. “And, now you’re wearing one of the runway dresses. Hmmm…you do know what this means, don’t you?”