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picked up her magazine, outright ignoring me.
    Thing Two looked up with a wink. “Melissa’s pissed that trash boy turned her down for a date. She even offered a preview blow job, but he refused. Now he’s persona non grata around here. You don’t turn down Melissa Smithfield.”
    Melissa glared at Thing Two. When she finally turned her attention to me, she raised her eyebrows, daring me to disagree. That look only lasted for a moment before she stared past me, her mouth falling open in shock. I looked over my shoulder to find Liam behind me, twirling a key ring around one finger. He had changed out of his uniform and was back in his black jeans and boots, this time wearing a gray V-neck tee.
    “Want to go for a ride?” He lifted his chin in the direction of the parking lot.
    I paused and looked back at the girls. MaryAnn wore a small, excited smile. Talia’s eyes darted back and forth between Liam, Melissa, and then me. Melissa's jaw was clenched, and her face was a furious shade of red.
    “Don’t even think about it, Alexis.” Melissa bit out her words, and Liam chuckled in response.
    He turned and walked away without another word.
    “He’s below us. Don’t waste your time.” Melissa looked down at her hand, inspecting her manicure. She looked up as Thing One returned, followed by a different server holding a tray of soda and food.
    “Below us?” I shook my head. “Is that why you were so eager to kneel at his feet and give him a preview ?” Melissa’s mouth flew open in shock. I was usually the quiet one. I didn’t ruffle feathers. But I wasn’t about to let her insult Liam just because she didn’t get her way. She’d never been my friend. I didn’t trust, like, or respect her. Liam? I didn’t know him well, but I liked him. He certainly wasn’t below any of these girls.
    My eyes searched the pool area to find him slowly and confidently walking toward the exit. Yes. I liked him, but was I willing to ditch my friends to go with him and risk Melissa’s anger?
    Sam? Help me out here. Smart decision or crazy decision?
    I bit my lip, trying to decide.
    Crazy smart, you say?
    Hell, yes.
    I darted back to my chair, slipped on my cutoff shorts and flip-flops, and grabbed my bag.
    “Where the hell do you think you’re going?” Melissa sat up and scowled at me.
    “I’m going for a ride.” I grinned and gave her a flippant wave before jogging down the side of the pool and out the front gate. Worrying about what Melissa thought of me would be a waste of my time. There was no chance my mood would improve if I subjected myself to her for the rest of the day.
    But Liam. Liam made me smile. I chased his dark figure through the parking lot. Choosing to follow him was the smartest decision I’d made in a long time.

Chapter Five
    “Liam!” I ran as fast as my flip-flops allowed and reached his Jeep just as he started the engine.
    He rolled the window down and grinned, an unlit cigarette dangling from between his lips. “Hey, Lex.” His voice was calm and deep, and I watched as his eyes traveled from my bikini top to my shorts. His smile brightened, and he blew out a breath. “Hop in.”
    My stomach tightened as I rounded the car. My mother would be pissed if she knew I was leaving with Liam. I took a deep breath and blew it out. Liam was a licensed driver. He had a traffic violation, but if he were truly dangerous, the judge would have taken his license away. Besides, he’d come from work, not a party. It’s not like he’d been drinking or taking drugs.
    I pushed thoughts of my mom out of my head. I liked the way Liam smiled at me. I craved the way my stomach flipped with anticipation whenever he looked my way. And I loved the way my grief faded into the background whenever he was around.
    I pulled the door open and hoisted myself onto the hot leather seat. As soon as my belt was buckled, Liam slipped on a pair of sunglasses and peeled out of the parking lot, tires screeching as he rounded the