Dina and Veronica step inside through the front entrance, nodding in synchrony to the music. My heart makes it up to my throat when I notice Owen is directly behind them. He’s wearing street clothes now, and crap, he’s on his way over here. The other ladies in our party mysteriously disperse, leaving me standing alone near the stage.

I’m an idiot for agreeing to this, but at the same time, I’ve had a massive crush on this guy for years. I can’t even count the number of times I fantasy-fucked him in my head. If there’s anyone I want to give it up for, it’s Owen.

He stops at the bar, and a few minutes later, he brings over two beers.

“Merry Christmas, Dakota,” he drawls, grinning down at me. “How’s it going?”

“Hi, Owen. I’m good.” That’s about all I can manage to get past the massive lump in my throat. I gulp down the beer, hoping it’ll work some magic on my nerves.

“So how’s college?” He asks. “All done with your exams?”

“Yes. And you?”

“Yeah. Cool. So, here we are. I heard that Dina’s getting hitched.”

“She sure is.” I look around for Dina, and notice that she and Veronica are beside the jukebox. They form a circle with the rest of the ladies, and they proceed to imitate various scandalous sexual poses, including Dina, who is down on her knees with her tongue out about a foot away from Veronica’s crotch.

He casually takes a sip of his beer. “How is it that we’re at the same college campus and I never see you around?”

“We’re in different majors. And you’re in senior year, aren’t you?”

“That I am.” The original version of Blue Christmas comes on, probably thanks to Dina. Owen smiles. “Care to dance?” he asks, holding out his hand with his palm facing up.

It’s not just the dare or the alcohol that compels me to agree. I’ve fake-danced with Owen countless times too. I’m ready for a benchmark comparison to know if he feels the way I imagined. Taking his hand, I let him lead me to the center of the empty dance floor. It’s awkward at first. At least it is for me. Owen is in his element, comfortable with one arm on my back and the other clasping my hand as he guides me.

“So, is it true? You’re caught up in a dare?” he whispers in to my ear.

“Something like that,” I admit. I have no idea what Dina and Veronica have told him. I’m praying to God that they wouldn’t come out and explicitly say that I’m a virgin. But then again, they’ve had way more to drink than me.

“Do you know about this?” He lets me go, and reaches both hands into his jeans pockets. He half slides a hotel key card from one side, and a strip of condoms from the other, returning it once he’s sure I’ve seen it.

Oh, I’m seeing it. I bite down on my bottom lip to avoid letting my jaw drop to the floor as he pulls me into his arms again to resume the slow dance. “Good Lord. What did they say to you?”

“Nothing bad. Something about a lifelong crush and an itch that only I can get rid of.” Embarrassment causes heat to rise up my face and cheeks. I’m sure my face must be beet red. A half-smile soon crawls up his face. He pulls me closer. “I’m kidding. They didn’t say that exactly. I’m paraphrasing, but you know what? I can cross dance with one of the Taylor sisters off my bucket list.”

Shock and relief washes over me. His relaxed, laidback attitude is contagious. “What else is on that bucket list of yours?” I ask, suddenly aware that I’m slow-dancing with Owen Miller.

It’s fucking hot.

I silently hope I’ll remember some of it after my head clears from all the alcohol.

“You mean in general, or concerning you?”

I smile self-consciously. “Are you telling me you have items on your list... about me?”

“Sure I do. Don’t you?”

“Name one,” I demand, ignoring his question.

His hand slides up my back and comes to rest at the base of my neck. Owen lowers his head to mine. My eyes close as he brushes his lips against mine. I’m weak in the knees, and heat spreads out from my lower belly that very instant. “Don’t tell me you haven’t wondered what kissing me would feel like.”

“Maybe,” I acknowledge.

He pulls out the hotel card again, pressing it into my hand. Our eyes lock for an intense moment. “How about I cross off a few more someplace private?”

My head gives a nod without thinking, and a second later, Owen takes my hand and purposefully leads me out of the Blue Bayou.

Is this really happening?