CHAPTER SIX

“Did you hear?" I ask, and Kel smiles that proud sister smile that I’ve only seen twice before across her face.

She grabs me by the shoulders, her laughter ringing against my ear as she hugs me tight. We’re both basking in this moment. The first happy moment we’ve had in so, so long.

"I knew you’d get it!" Kel squeals, squeezing me once more.

She lets me go and has a wide grin on her face. She’s happy for me, just like I knew she would be.

Swinging her arm around me, she whispers in my ear, “He’s here, you know. He’s talking with Lucas now."

A blush rushes to my cheeks in anticipation. My joy in my news is replaced by the excitement and nervousness of seeing Gavin again.

"Do I look okay?" I rub my hands down my lavender mid-length summer dress, biting my lip when it starts to tremble. I don’t want to mess this up. Kel is right; it’s time to live again.

Kel’s hand reaches out and squeezes mine.

“You’re perfect, Sophie.” She tucks my hair behind my ears and gives me a little push toward the open door.

I step inside and take another Blue Moon from the cooler before veering to a crowd of our high school friends.

"There you are!" Sasha, one of Kel’s friend’s, calls, wearing a short black dress and heavy makeup.

Ugh, I inwardly cringe at her high-pitched voice. I remember how many girls surrounded my sister in high school, but she was never superficial like these girls.

Kel is in a class of her own. I walk up and take the bowl of pretzels that Lucas hands me. I look around for Gavin as I sip my third beer of the night.

"He had to make a call, Sophia." Lucas gives me a knowing smile and throws an arm around me as he downs the last of his Samuel Adams.

"Have you seen that man? You might have to stake your claim before one of us snatches him away!" Sasha squeals, nursing a cranberry martini.

Immediately, I imagine kissing him in front of all these people, ruining him for her and all these other girls.But I’m not ready for that. For all I know, he’s taken.

What is going on with me today? It’s not like he’s the first hot guy I’ve laid eyes on these past four months. But, oh my, those eyes. The sculpture of his lean chest, narrow hips...

My thoughts are interrupted by a hand on my shoulder. The touch ignites shocks that light up my skin and I know he is behind me.

I turn, meeting the crooked smile of the mystery man himself. My heart skips a beat as I look up into his eyes, feeling myself pulled toward him. It’s like gravity.

"There you are! Do you want to dance?" Sasha chimes, looking up at him expectantly.

Gavin gives me a wink and never takes his stormy blue eyes from mine as I notice the song change to a slow beat that I recognize as one by Coldplay.

It’s slow and reverent and melts my heart on the spot.

"A dance, Sophia?" he asks quietly, his voice resonating through me in the best way. I place my hand in his and nod as he leads me onto the floor.

Once we reach the middle of the dispersing crowd, he turns to me and wraps an arm around my waist, his right hand linked with my left as he sweeps me into him, leading us in a graceful slow dance. I look up at him and a smile plays on my lips.

"You showed up."

Gavin's face spreads into a wide, dimple-bearing, soul-consuming smile and it makes me feel lighter somehow.

Then I realize he's dipped me in the circle of his arms, which makes my heart beat impossibly fast. I grab his biceps for balance and see his eyes blaze with amusement.

I can feel every line of his lean, hard, muscled body on every line of my soft curves, and when he places a hand at the small of my back, my heart hammers in desire.

God, how long has it been since I’ve desired or truly wanted a man? Years. I haven't felt like this since my sophomore year in high school. I can't help but think how naive I was back then.

"Of course I did, Sophia."

He pulls me back into his arms, hooking them around my waist as he balances me again, and I link my hands around his neck, sucking in a breath at the sight and feel of him. Wow, he’s toned. I try to sort my thoughts into words.

"Why? I’m sure you had plans tonight before I gawked at your car and my sister invited you to our party." Gavin dips his head and his mouth is only inches from mine when he speaks.

"I did, but I wanted to see you again more. You look beautiful, by the way." His voice is deep and makes me draw closer to him.

“Thank you,” I whisper breathlessly.

When he pulls me to his chest, I rest my head against his shoulder and his arms hold me close at the small of my back.

My heart beats so fast, and as the song ends, I lift my head and give him my best smile when I feel the nervousness of opening up to this guy I don’t even know. Am I really ready to do this?

"I have to go refill the refreshments. Save me a dance, will you?"

Gavin’s dark brown hair falls into his eyes as he loosens his arms around me and nods, his eyes locked onto mine. I see uncertainty in the depths.

"Are you okay?" he asks, his hand coming up to my cheek. I suck in a breath, my heart racing at the contact of skin against skin.

"I’ll be back, I promise." I just need to take a breath, some air to sort myself out.

Reluctantly, he lets me go and I try to calm my heart as I pull my best friend Farah outside with me. She’s the only girl I know that will never sugarcoat things with me. That’s what I need right now.