*2*

Sam walked into the crowded club behind Tabby. She let out a small content sigh of relief as the warmth of the place seeped into her. Her thin black dress didn’t give her much protection against the coolness of the late spring night of New York City. Sam wanted to wear something more practical, but Tabby insisted she wore this. Tonight they were going to go all out, according to Tabby.

She had dragged Sam into some clothing store that morning and forced her to try on several different outfits until Tabby found one she liked. The outfit was a bit more revealing than Sam felt comfortable with, but it wasn’t excessive either, so she tried to ignore how self-conscious it made her. She looked around the club, relieved by the sight. It was, at least, much better than the one from last night. Reminding herself to stay positive, Sam forced a smile on her face. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, she told herself and followed Tabby to the bar. 

“Come on Wildcat,” Tabby shouted over the music. “Let’s get some alcohol in you, and see if we can’t get you out of your head.”

 “Wildcat? What are you talking about?” 

Tabby’s smile grew. “It’s all in the attitude. Tonight you’re the wildcat who’s come to have some drinks and fun!”

“Getting me drunk isn’t going to change who I am, you know,” Sam told her, half teasing and half serious as they waded through the mass of people towards the bar.

“Well duh! I’m not trying to change who you are. I just want you to be that wonderful person you are underneath all the self-doubt and isolation.”

“I don’t think that person exists,” Sam told her with a slight bitterness in her voice.

“Yes, she does. Look, I am not friends with losers and you are my best friend so by law, you’re awesome. You just need to let go of certain people’s expectations of you.”

In other words, Sam’s father. Again, Sam smiled at her friend. “Okay, I’ll give it a shot.”

“That is all that I ask,” Tabby replied before she waved to get the bartender’s attention. When he walked over to them, Tabby’s grin turned flirty. Hey, my friend and I are so thirsty, could you get us something good to drink?”

Sam smiled watching her friend. From her experience, no man alive could resist flirty Tabby. The bartender was no different. 

“Sure thing. Can’t have a beautiful woman such as yourself going thirsty now can we,” he said with his flirty grin.

“You mean women, don’t forget about my stunning friend,” Tabby told him and Sam’s breath hitched as her cheeks heated up. The bartender’s gaze only flickered to Sam before it eagerly returned to Tabby.

“Uh…yeah sure, I’ll get you, ladies, something to drink,” he replied, obviously not sharing Tabby’s opinion of Sam’s appearance. Sam felt her mood start to dip as it had the previous night. She admired Tabby’s effort, but some things would never change. Her ex-boyfriend, Jeff, was right. She just didn’t have what it takes to catch a man’s eye even if she did have a nice outfit, great hairstyle, and good makeup.

The bartender returned with their drinks and tried to make small talk with Tabby, but she brushed him off. Apparently, she had picked up on his lack of enthusiasm towards Sam. The loyalty of her friend made her smile, and forget the sinking feeling. She drank her drink, a sweet fruity one, and felt the alcohol start to warm her blood.

When they were finished with their drinks, Tabby handed her a shot glass filled with multicolored layers. Sam eyed the drink curiously wondering what the liquids were and how did the bartender manage to keep the layers so defined and from mixing. “Don’t dissect it Wildcat and just down it.”

Deciding to just glow with the flow, Sam shrugged and knocked back the drink. Her eyes watered a little from the burn of the alcohol, but the taste was pretty good. “Again,” Tabby demanded, handing her another.

After the third shot, Sam started to feel buzzed and a little light-headed but it was a good feeling. “Now let’s dance Wildcat!” Tabby cheered, grabbing her hand leading her in the crowd. Sam giggled tipsily at her friend as they went out on the dance floor.

She had no idea how to dance so Sam just mimicked whatever Tabby did, feeling silly and awkward. That was until the last drinks kicked in. Then Sam no longer cared about how she appeared to others and just moved her body to the music. “There you go girl, shake that booty!” Tabby cheered and Sam couldn’t stop herself from laughing loudly.

Not thinking about anything, she let the vibrations of the music fill her and the rhythm of the music move her body. Sam was finally enjoying herself. 

“Is this a private party or can anyone join?” A deep voice asked from somewhere, startling her. She stopped dancing and looked over her shoulder, feeling some of her insecurities rearing up their ugly head. There stood two of the most gorgeous men Sam had seen in her life. They were both impeccably dressed with a commanding presence. Though, one looked for the board room while the other looked like he spent more time doing sports or something. Sam glanced over to Tabby, letting her speak first. Sam, even buzzed, would probably just put her foot in her mouth, like always. 

Tabby smiled impishly as she tapped her chin with her index finger then suddenly turned to Sam. “I don’t know. What do you think, Wildcat? Can they join?” 

Sam’s breath hitched again and her cheeks burned with embarrassment. She shot Tabby a glare. Tabby gave her an encouraging look. Her mind raced, thinking of something clever but gave up. She tried to imitate one of Tabby’s flirty smiles. With her best ‘I definitely get hit on all the time’ tone, she said, “Sure why not.” Though, as soon as she said it, Sam felt like an idiot. She was not going to fool anyone. Expecting a rejection, she was surprised when they didn’t. 

The blonder of the two held out his hand for Tabby. Her friend shot her an excited smile and let him lead her off onto the dance floor. Perhaps this is where the rejection comes in, Sam thought. She turned to the other man with the intent to explain he didn’t have to dance with her if he didn’t want, but found he was holding out his hand for her. Even more surprising, he didn’t seem disappointed in the slightest that Tabby had gone with his friend. 

Feeling a little off-kilter, Sam took his hand and offered him a shaky smile. Her stomach clenched nervously as they started to dance. It was one thing to just move to the music and another to dance with another person. Sam hoped she could at least avoid stepping on his toes. They moved to the dance floor and she felt a shiver of pleasure run through her as his hands rested on her hips. It had been a very long time since she’d been this close to a man.

They moved slowly to the music and Sam was aware of how stiff she was. With a deep breath, she slowly forced her body to at least relax so she could move with more ease. They fell into a good rhythm and it appeared as if for once Sam was going to be able to walk away from this with some dignity intact. Though for safe measures she decided not to look at him directly but simply give him discreet glances.

When the song finished, Sam felt a little disappointed as she stepped back, expecting that he’d go back with his friend or with some other woman. She knew deep down that he only danced with her to keep her busy while his friend danced with Tabby. She was about to walk back to the bar when the music started again and he took a step towards her. 

Doing her best to hide her shock, Sam let him lead her into another dance. Her pulse raced as she wondered if it was her imagination or was the distance between them smaller than before. Sam looked up at him shyly and her eyes met his. They were a rich brown and Sam felt captivated by them as everything around them seemed to disappear.

She wasn’t sure how long they had been dancing when Tabby called her name, freeing Sam from the trance the man’s eyes had her trapped in. Sam’s breath caught in her throat at the realization that this whole time she had been staring at him. Inwardly she groaned but focused on Tabby. Sam felt almost sick thinking about what he must think of her. Trying not to dwell on her feelings, Sam focused on her friend. “Everything okay?”

Tabby grinned as if she had won the lottery. “Of course, but by that look on your face, you need more to drink. Come on, and bring your hottie.” Tabby winked at her then led her dance partner to the bar. Sam’s face burned with humiliation. How could she have said that?  There went Sam’s hopes for leaving the club with any dignity.