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Logan ask you to dance? You were swallowed by the soul train line and I couldn’t see you.”  
    “That’s the thing, he made up the whole thing to get me away from Randall.”  
    “So he spotted you, black woman in a dark dress, in a dimly lit ball room full of people?”
    “Yes.” Lina raised both hands, tucked her chin length hair behind both ears, before pointing to her ears.  
    “Did I hear you say he concocted a pre-arranged dance story to get you away from Randall only to keep you by his side?”  
    “I know it sounds crazy, but that is how it happened.”
    Lina was beaming from ear to ear. “By the way, you didn’t deny the body bumping. I know I said I wasn’t into watching, but the hand expedition thing was juicy.” Lina offered her a triple blink followed by a double wide-eyed expression.  
    Heat warmed Ava’s cheeks. “You’re embarrassing me.”
      “Okay I’ll stop, but that doesn’t explain how you ended up stroking your hands all over hard, hunky, and handsome?” Her face had to be scarlet. She pivoted to see Logan waiting six feet away where she had left him.  
    “Are you serious Lina? Did it look like I was feeling him up?”  
    “No, it did not look like you were feeling him up.” She paused for effect. “To me, you were hand cruising each other, making a wish for a hotel suite.” Lina was bouncing on the balls of her feet. Ava glanced in his direction hoping Logan hadn’t noticed her friend’s theatrics.  
    “Stop looking over my shoulder Ava Elaine, Logan’s my friend. He knows I joke around.”
    “No more kidding from you. This is not funny.”  
    “Fine. I interrupted your dance for a reason. Jace and I are driving to the cove for a nightcap. He wants to discuss something important with me,” Lina whispered.  
    Ava could not miss the excitement in Lina’s voice.  
    “Finally, after six months of dating he is going to commit. Ava, this is it! Do I still look good? Never mind. I know I do.” Lina was practically glowing. Ava was reluctant to ask the next question. Lina was one of her dearest friends and she didn’t want to see her hurt again. Lina wore her heart on the front of a bumper car.  
      “Are you sure that’s what he wants to talk about? It could be something else. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment.”
    “Stop it. Not all men are bad.” Lina smiled at her through watery eyes.
      “Be happy for me. Cease already with your doomsday scenarios and enjoy life. I am.” Lina twirled on her heels in delight. “My man is taking me to my favorite romantic rendezvous to talk about the next level in our relationship.” Ava forced a smile. Jace wasn’t a bad guy, but that didn’t mean he was a good guy for Lina.  
    He was a clinical psychologist on staff at SCMC. He and Lina worked closely together on the process improvement committee before they started dating. Lina was on every committee and action team ever created. There wasn’t an event she couldn’t get you into. He was about three inches shorter than Lina, maybe five six or seven, with dark hair, pale skin and blue eyes. The few times he’d accompanied Lina to Sunday dinner he looked uncomfortable. Lina would pull him into the conversation and that made matters worse.  
    “I know Jace.” Lina said in a clipped tone. “He’s distracted tonight. He keeps touching me to reassure himself. He does that when he’s contemplating a major decision.” Ava watched a flash of hesitation cross Lina’s well-constructed mask.
    “I know this is so wrong in the best friend realm, but do you think one of the girls can take you home?” Ava threw up her hands in exasperation.  
    Ava spun face-to-face with Lina placing Logan at her back. “Are you punking me? You’re the one that guilted me into coming to this party.” Ava’s hand came to rest on her hips as she glared at Lina.  
    “I’ll take you home.” The close proximity of his voice had her stepping back to collide with