A

na'

er the room- Men and women dancers, all stripping each other in too much noise and too little space. A place like this was ex

I asked in disgust as I could see la

pily sipping a c

y after everything that jerk put you through!" Samantha shoute

ow, Sam, but... I just never thought we'd end lik

loss, girl. You're free now! And trust me, you're way better off wit

k a deep breath, then raised m

ed, clinking her glass against mine

nk," Samantha urged with a playfu

r to Samantha, trying to grab an arm around her shoulders. He w

for one more drinking buddy?" he sl

clenched. But the drunk lost his balance an

in the bar. Which splashed onto the drunk's shirt. For a moment,

the drunk spat, grabbi

stare with a calm but intense look.

ch this shirt cost?

smile. "I wouldn't. I d

to throw a punch. I need to act quickly, I stepped betwe

the money before his face. "That should more

re snatching it with a greedy hand. "Lucky brea

mantha's smirk as she nudged me. The str

a hand through his dark hair, his eyes gleaming with amusement. Even

t cool. "Well, glad to be of

ding a hand. "I'm

shaking his hand, hi

me, sizing him up. "So, Jason, w

'm, uh... in between jobs right now." He looked sheepish, ru

r something, like a jo

mainly. I've been trying

ok's company is hiring

shook his head. "That place is impossible t

I could stop myself. "If you're interested,

surprise genuine. "You

ugged. "Sure. Consider it a thank you fo

at." We clinked glasses, and for the first time tonig

, Jason excused himself,

him just now," she sighed, practically swooning. "Jason has the most adorable smile. And those eyes-don't

asm aside. "I'm not getting tangled up with any guy, especially after what my last marriage put me through." My voice had that harde

dening. "But, Elena, he's not like that! Jason's got...

I'm not getting pulled into it." I lifted my glass, clinking it against hers as we

I couldn't help it; an image of Jason's face appeared, hi

him lingered in the back of my mind, n

ch I suffered in the

shook my head, hoping Samantha didn't noti

ure of him, with that confident grin, stayed wi

*

me, my mind replaying the evening over and over. The mysterious stranger, his smir

mchair, his usual spot in the living room,

ight out with Sam?" he

beside him. "Surprisingly...

g my hand. Just then, Vincent appeared at th

l be back soon," he called, br

casino, no doubt? Why not take Elen

had my fill of excitement for one night. A

His voice was gentle but firm, and despite my exhaustio

hts drifted back to Jason, w