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while Dex walks next to me. Our hands accidentally touch a couple of times and I notice each one, wanting more. My desire is fulfilled in a different way when we go inside the bar. His hand presses lightly against my lower back, guiding me in, and making me wonder if he’s ever done that to me in the past. I don’t think he has because that one caring gesture is felt throughout my entire body. I think I would remember this sensation. Once inside, the crowd is subdued, calm is being restored as the adrenaline starts wearing off. So does the booze, so I tell Dex, “I’m ready for a drink.”
    With a smile that reaches his eyes, he says, “I’m ready for a few myself. Our table’s over here.”
    The music is exotic—seductive, the lights dim, and the crowd stylish. I recognize a few celebrities, some I’ve met before—one is an actor, Chad Spears, who hit it big in the last year and hit on me at an after-party of an awards show a couple years back. He was young and cute then. He’s more man and more handsome these days. Sitting on a white leather couch, he has his arm draped over a woman who is either a model or a wannabe actress. Chad’s gaze meets mine and a wry grin appears. With a nod, we acknowledge each other just as Dex’s hand slips to my side, redirecting me to the corner where our booth is located.
    We settle in and order drinks. Tommy jokes about a screw up backstage while Dex eyes me. “You look good tonight.”
    “Good?” I tease with a nudge to his side, liking the fact that he’s looking at me.
    “Better than good. Hot.”
    I tap my head lightly to his shoulder. “Aww, thank you. You look go—”
    A smooth voice interrupts us, “Hey, Rochelle.” I know it’s Chad before I even look up. Glancing past him to the VIP table he was recently occupying, I notice the girl is gone. “Good to see you.”
    “Hi,” I reply just as our drinks are delivered.
    “Chad,” Dex says with a harsh emphasis on the name.
    “Interesting to see you here… in a bar, Dexter. How’s post-rehab working out for you?” Chad eyes Dex’s drink insinuating everything.
    Dex is calm considering the insult, and says, “I don’t do drugs anymore, so it’s working out just peachy.” Dex is about to say something else, but bites his bottom lip as he looks away. Picking up his glass, he drinks like he’s got a point to prove.
    Chad bumps his leg against mine, making me look back up. He straightens his suit jacket and puts a smile on for me. “We should catch up. Can I buy you a drink?” I start to say no, but he cuts me off. “Just one. Please.”
    He holds his hand out for me. Feeling it would be rude not to, I take it. Dex grabs me by the belt loop and stops me. “Stay.”
    “Just one drink,” Chad interjects. “Relax, I’m not gonna steal your date.”
    “Stay.” There’s a plea in Dex’s eyes that makes me start to pull my hand back from Chad, but Chad tightens his grip and pulls me to my feet.
    “Just one drink,” he says. I can tell he’s trying to charm me. “He’ll be okay without you. He gets plenty of company. I want a little time with you.”
    “I made plans with my friends tonight. It would be rude if I left.”
    “Maybe later then.”
    “Yeah, maybe later,” I reply and sit back down.
    As he walks away, Dex’s hand covers my knee. “Stay away from him. He’s an asshole.”
    “That was uncomfortable. What’s the history between you two?”
    Dex sits back and looks over his shoulder at Chad across the room. “We went to high school together.”
    “You did?”
    “Yeah. He was an asshole then, too.”
    “Let me guess. Star quarterback, dated all the hot girls, Class President?”
    He chuckles. “Something like that.”
    “Tell me about you,” I say. “Give me all the dirty details of when you were younger.”
    “The past doesn’t matter, Rochelle. Only tonight.”
    His words and his eyes, the way they’ve latched onto mine, possession taking hold, I’m shocked I’m still