Three days later

“Reagan no. I don’t want to go.” My tone is annoyingly whiny, and I don’t care. I’ve been in a horrible mood for five days now. Ever since Nick walked out my door for the last time and I haven’t heard from him since. The package he left on my doorstep is the only reminder he still lives across the hall. I haven’t seen him at all and I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve been looking. My eyes search around hungrily for him wherever I go as if he’s going to magically appear.

If only that were possible.

“You’re coming with us; no excuses. I brought you a dress and shoes to wear. Kennedy is coming too. She’s getting ready at her place as we speak.”

“Why can’t you guys let me wallow in my misery for a little longer? I left you alone when you and Noah broke up.”

“You weren’t living here at that time so don’t even go there. If you had been you would have dragged me off the couch, too.”

“Fine. What’s this function for?”

“It’s a charity black tie event. There will be a lot of well known, wealthy people there.”

Shaking my head, I blow out a deliberate sigh, reluctantly rising to my feet. “I hate getting dressed up.”

“Carter, suck it up. I’m not listening.”

“You’re so bossy.” I curl my upper lip. “I’m not taking another shower. If I smell it’s on you.”

“Just get your ass in your room and get ready. I told Noah we’d meet him there in forty-five minutes.”

“Yes ma'am.” I salute sarcastically before I head to my bedroom to do as I was told.

* * *

“Oh my god. Why did I let you talk me into coming,” I grip Reagan’s arm, hard enough to make her wince. “Sorry.” I grimace. Joseph and Lisa are here and from the looks of her enormous stomach, she’s ready to deliver a baby at any second. My eyes briefly squeeze closed as I remind myself to calm down. I’m not the same girl I was nine months ago. He can’t hurt me anymore unless I give him the power to.

“Carter, ignore them. He’s a spineless worm.”

“It’s fine...I’m fine,” I state flatly before stalking in the other direction toward the bar. If I ever needed a drink, now’s the fucking time.

I wave my hand to get the bartender's attention before I’m even standing in front of him. “Can I have a Zombie, please?” Leaning my elbows on the bar, I rest my forehead on the heels of my hands and curse fate for this cruel joke. Of all the people who could be here, why does it have to be them?

“Did you hear the one about the zombie who walked up to the bartender and said, ‘make me a zombie’?” Nick’s deep voice cuts into my momentary despair.

Speaking of cruel jokes.

My head raises, and my eyes eagerly look him over starting with his dark mussed hair that looks like he just went to war with it. Judging by the way his messy strands rebelliously curve up in front, I’d say his hair came out the victor. Running my fingers through the thick softness is…was one of my favorite pastimes.

My gaze resumes its perilous journey, trailing over each hard-bodied inch of him. He looks hot. Help. I’m in danger of losing my heart.

Too late. He stole it the second our lips touched for the first time.

“No, I can’t say I have.”

He smirks. “The bartender replied, looks like someone already has.”

“Ha-ha.” I roll my eyes. “That was lame. What are you doing here?”

“What’s the matter, Candy? Didn’t expect to see me here?” He quirks his brow and it arches sexily.

Arches sexily?

Why am I noticing his eyebrows and finding them attractive?

I’ve never found so much to love about one person before.

“No, I didn’t expect to see you, but what surprised me even more is that Joseph and his wife are here.”

“That’s a nice turn of events. Show me where the rat bastard is so I can kick his ass for you.”

“You don’t need to kick his ass.” Raising the glass, the bartender set in front of me, I down half the beverage in one gulp. “In fact, I don’t want you to touch him at all. He can live out the rest of his life with that miserable, backstabbing bitch.”

“Tell me how you really feel,” he jests. “I know you said not to put my hands on him, but I just want to make sure you know that I would if you wanted me to. Hell, I’d do it for no other reason than it would be fun.” He flashes me a grin, raising his eyebrows up and down.

“No fights, tonight. This event is to benefit battered women. I don’t think getting into a fist fight sets a great precedent; even if it’s a guy who deserves to have his ass kicked.”

“Gotcha. I promise, I’ll be on my best behavior. Do me a favor and point out Joseph to me. Then if I bump into him some other time, I can beat his ass.”

Pointing my finger toward Joseph across the hardwood floor of the reception room gives me a weird sense of satisfaction. Especially when Lisa notices and mouth gaping, taps him with the back of her hand. She jerks her chin in my direction and Joseph’s gaze follows. It’s like it all happens in slow motion, as I watch the realization sink in that I’m here. He looks alarmed like he might flee. His panic-stricken expression has me giggling out loud.

“How did he land a babe like you?” Nick questions.

“We met in the library at school. He seemed harmless enough.” I knock back the rest of my Zombie and signal for a refill by pointing to my glass.

“Isn’t harmless just a nice way to say boring or safe?” Nick asks.

“Maybe. But he didn’t turn out to be a safe choice, did he? I was wrong on all counts with him.”

“Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?” His voice is a deep rasp next to my ear. Chills run down my body like fingers sweeping across the keys on a piano. I shake my head, not trusting myself to answer. I miss you would be the wrong reply to what he said, but those are the words I want to say more than any.

Reaching for my refill as if it’s a lifeline in a violent sea, I tuck the rim of the glass between my lips and pray the alcohol will numb this painful need that I have for Nick every time he’s near...and every time he’s far. The distance doesn’t register with my heart. It wants what it wants and that’s Nick. No more; no less.

“Hey, look at me, Carter,” he directs.

Turning my head, our eyes meet, and I lose my train of thought to the beautiful hazel color. So many varying shades of brown, gold and green, combining to create a stunning palette of colors.

“What do you say, you and I have some fun and worry about the details tomorrow?” The dimple in his left cheek teases as he grins crookedly.

My gaze travels to Joseph and company. Sit here and feel sorry for myself or spend some time with the guy I love? Not really a contest in my book. “What do you have in mind? And just so you know, clothing is optional as far as I’m concerned.”

“I like the way you think, Candy. I know just the thing for us to do that will have you screaming out in no time.”

Immediately, my mind takes his comment to a dirty place and I hope to fuck I’m right. Fun and naked time with Nick is exactly what I need. And maybe a couple more drinks before the night is through. Tipping my head back, I swallow down the remainder of the cold liquid. It burns pleasantly down my chest and makes my limbs relaxed and heavy with fatigue. It’s a feeling I could learn to enjoy. Especially when I’m trying to forget.

He takes my hand. “Come on.”

Sliding off the stool, my legs feel wobbly. Those Zombies hit me faster than I expected.

“Come with me, Candy.” He leads me around the edge of the dance floor and over to the other side of the room. The D.J. has a karaoke machine set up along with a large screen where the words will be displayed. “What do you say to you and me showing these people how it’s done?”

Pressing my lips together, I mull over my options. I can sit on a stool all night drowning my sorrows or I can have some fun and make Joseph sorry he let me go. There’s no choice to be made. “What are you thinking?” I ask.

“I think it’s time we made our debut as a karaoke duo.” He winks then walks over to speak with the D.J. Standing, watching Nick, I sway awkwardly from side to side. I’m afraid to swing my gaze to where Joseph was seated the last time I checked in case he’s watching me. My fingers nervously trace over the face of the Rolex Joseph bought for me. I’ve always loved this watch, but now I’m not sure why I’m still wearing it.

Why am I still wearing it?

Nick retraces his steps. “Are you ready?”

“Hold on a sec,” I say, holding my finger up. I stomp over to Joseph’s table. His eyes get larger with each clack of my heels on the wooden floor and Lisa’s get narrower. I stop when I reach the other side of their table. Right now, it’s only the two of them sitting there. Tearing the Rolex from my arm, I throw it in his direction. It slams down on the table and slides in front of Joseph with a metallic ping. “Here. Lisa likes my cast offs. Maybe you should give her this too.” Spinning around without another word, I stroll back toward Nick, already feeling so much lighter from that one small unexpected act.

“What are we singing?” I ask, as if the last ninety seconds never happened.

“You’ll see soon enough.”

“Nick, I’d like to be prepared.”

“Some things in life you can’t be prepared for. Think of this as my life lesson for you. Go with the flow, Candy. Sometimes it pays off. After all, isn’t that how we met?”

He’s right. If I hadn’t gone out of my comfort zone that night, way out of my comfort zone, then I wouldn’t know him.

I wouldn’t be in love with him. Staring up at him, I hope he can see how much I’ve missed him and how I wish things were different. There’s no way I can speak those words out loud. The lump in my throat feels large like a tennis ball and if I do anything more than nod in agreement, I’ll break down in tears. This isn’t the time or place.

He winks to lighten the moment, sensing my inner turmoil and hands me the microphone. My eyes open wide, filled with panic as I hear the first notes of You’re the One That I Want from the movie Grease.

Oh crap. I’m not ready to do this. Even though I know every word of this song by heart. I’ve watched Grease at least one hundred times. Mean Girls isn’t my only go to chick flick.

He squeezes my hand, comfortingly. “Relax and have fun,” he says, grinning.

He sings the first line doing some sort of sexy dance/walk over to me and falls to his knees when he sings the last word of the line - electrifying.

My mouth drops open, I wasn’t expecting him to act the scene out, but since he opened that can of worms...bring it on, baby. I push off his chest with the ball of my high heel and tell him he better shape up. Responding perfectly, he rises smoothly to his feet and we continue to play off one another for the remainder of the song. Clearly, he’s watched this movie more than he’ll admit.

Has he seen Mean Girls before too?

When we finish, awareness returns, and I notice everyone in the room is giving us a standing ovation. Everyone, but Joseph and Lisa. A small smile lingers around Joseph’s lips. Even he’d have to admit we just kicked ass. Lisa looks like she swallowed something sour, her lips are puckered tightly together.

Nick tugs me into his arms, and whirls me around in a circle. My feet leave the floor and I shriek with panic as my knee length dress starts to climb up my thighs. Placing me on my feet, arms wrapped around my waist, he smooths his hands over my ass and grins down at me. “Just checking to make sure you’re not flashing the goods.”

“How sweet of you.”

“Yeah, that’s me. Sweet.”

I roll my eyes. “Thanks for the song.”

“Oh no, you’re not getting away that easily.” He clasps my hand and leads me over to the side of the room, away from prying eyes and ears. “You’re amazing. I’m so proud of you.” His warm palm releases mine, both of his hands land on my hips.

“For what?” What exactly did I do?”

“I know you felt awkward and unsure with them here, but you just completely obliterated your fears and showed him you’re not the same woman he knew. And stomping over to their table all badass and breathing fire was seriously hot. You got me a little worked up.”

My lips part in a toothy smile. Nick’s right. I showed Joseph that I’m not a doormat any longer. I’m the brash and bold girl I’ve always wanted to be, and I owe it all to the sexy stranger who let me kiss him. The same guy who makes me laugh whenever we’re together and loves me for who I am, not who he wants me to be. “I love you, Nick,” I whisper, not sure he can hear my voice above the chatter in the room. But judging by the expression on his face, he was able to read my lips at the very least.

“I love you, Carter. So much more than you realize.” His fingertips climb upward to caress my waist through the shiny material of my black dress, drawing slow circles. “I hope this means that whatever had you pulling away, you’ve worked through.”

“If you want to play for the NFL then I want you to. I don’t want to hold you back.”

“Let me guess, Tabby told you that was what I wanted?”

I shrug my shoulders. I don’t want to create drama between siblings.

“I get it. I wish you would have talked with me about this instead of trying to end things between us.”

He pokes me in both sides and I jolt. “By the way, I wasn’t going anywhere. We belong together so you’re stuck with me forever.”

“I like this plan.”

“You say that now, but wait until you see what song I have in mind for our next karaoke duo.” He smirks, pulling me closer. His lips lower, softly grazing the side of my forehead.

“So how many times have you really watched Mean Girls?”

His head raises, eyes twinkling mischievously. “On Wednesdays, we wear pink.”

“I knew it,” I yell, triumphantly.

“You must feel like you won the lottery.”

“Why?” I raise a brow.

“Because you get all this.” He gestures along the full length of his frame, cocksure. “And a closet chick flick lover too.”