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suggested Britnee.
    “ Mmm, yeah, good idea. Hattie, what would you like?”
    “I’m not hungry.”
    People were starting to crowd into the room for the evening and the volume of the music had increased.
    “How about I put together a sample platter of appetizers?” suggested the waitress, who I already liked a lot more than I had Ginger.
    “That’d be great,” said Everett. “Thank you. Oh and one more bottle of champagne.”
    Britnee nodded and then took her leave back to the bar to submit the order.
    “Everett…I’ve had enough to drink. And I’m not hungry.”
    He sighed heavily, obviously irritated with me. “Ok, I get it. You’re not attracted to me. Let’s just hang out as friends?”
    “Come on, Ev. That’s not fair. You’re hot and you know it. But, you’re just a friend. Anything more would be too weird.”
    “Okay, okay. Let’s just eat and then I’ll take you home?”
    I looked at him for a moment and nodded.
    Britnee had brought us a platter of chicken fingers, celery, hot wings, fries, and potato boats. I knew I needed to eat, so picked at a few things. I wasn't really hungry and just wished I was at home in bed. Alone. Feeling sorry for myself, I drank one more glass of champagne. The room was soon spinning and the music was pounding. Everett stood and pulled me out of the booth, dragging me onto the dance floor. I tried to pull away from him, but risked falling over.
    He held me close to him in stark contrast to other couples who were moving in a fast rhythm to the music. I never had understood these kinds of places or why people liked to fling their bodies around. I also knew I was the quiet wallflower who would never fit in with people like those who surrounded me. I wondered how many of them had faced death before. I closed my eyes as Everett put a hand on my back and pressed himself closer to me, slow-dancing to a very loud and fast song. I knew I needed to back away from him, as to not give him the wrong idea, but for a moment I felt grounded and almost able to forget about the sights, sounds, and smells from the day before. Soon I felt his cheek close to my own and his warm breath on my neck.
    The song ended, and in the brief moment of silence before the next began, he whispered into my ear.
    “Hat, please. Give me a chance.”
    As his lips brushed against my own, I placed my palms against his chest and attempted to push him away.
    “Stop, Everett. You’re drunk.”
    He pulled me back to him and attempted to resume the kiss that had not really even begun. I tried to push him away a second time, but he was too strong. He held me so tightly that it hurt, causing me to wince. As his tongue began to force its way into my mouth, we were suddenly separated. Everett was pushed backward, a couple of feet away from me. A man stood with his back to me, facing Everett. He was tall with dark hair, blue jeans, and a tight white t-shirt.
    “I believe the lady said no,” said a deep voice that was somewhat familiar.
    “Fuck off,” said Everett, who was taking a step toward the man who had just addressed him. “It’s between me and her.”
    “Not tonight, man. Hattie said no.”
    I wondered how he knew my name. My question was answered when he turned to face me. My heart skipped a beat, seeing the one face I had longed to see since the day prior.
    “Saul…”
    “You know this asshole, Hattie?” asked Everett.
    “Yes she does,” answered Saul. “We go way back. Hattie, you ready to leave?”
    I just nodded at him.
    “Do you have a jacket?”
    I shook my head no.
    “Hattie, I promised your brother I’d take you home,” mumbled Everett.
    Saul enveloped my hand in his. He gently led me toward the stairs, and I went willingly.
    “You can explain later,” he whispered. “Let’s just get you out of here.”

CHAPTER 6 ~ COMING UP FOR AIR
     
    I felt Everett’s eyes on me the entire walk up the stairway. I knew he was pissed, but he had no right to try to force a relationship. Saul