“Excuse me. Excuse me” Lia fought her way through the crowd, simultaneously fighting down her rising panic. She should have never let Casey convince her to come to this stupid party. There was too much noise and too many people. She had to get out. Stumbling, she pushed her way forward, hoping it was the right direction to get to the door. In the chaos she couldn’t tell. When she shouldered her way into a circle of guys, she found herself looking up into a pair of stark blue eyes.
A blush flamed across her skin. “I’m sorry. Could you excuse me please?” It all came out in a jumbled mess as she moved to continue pressing through the crush of people. A hand shot out and gently caught her arm before she could pass.
“You look like you could use some help.” Blue Eyes flashed a charming smile her way. “Where you headed?”
“The front door.” She admitted.
“You’re leaving? The party just started ” He spread his arms, effectively blocking her way with his whole well-built, very toned body.
With a genuine smile she shrugged. “Came with a friend. Leaving for my sanity.”
“Ahh.” He nodded and sidled in closer. “Your friend a girl or guy?” He asked, his lethal blues piercing her soft green ones.
“Why?” The question came out before she could think about the implication.
“Well,” He cocked his head to lean in close to her ear. “If your friend’s a guy, there’s probably some romantic type feelings involved since you obviously wouldn’t be here of your own volition. However, if your friend is a girl, most likely she’s a roommate or friend who dragged you here so she could meet guys without feeling guilty for leaving you home alone on a Saturday night.”
He waited and she blushed.
Lia shrugged, “Casey, my roommate, insisted I come have fun and meet cute guys with her.” Again she shrugged, unsure and uncomfortable.
“Ahh.” He wrapped his arm protectively around her shoulder. “In that case I will be happy to help you get to the door.”
It was Lia’s turn to tilt her head up at him. “And if I had said I came with a guy?”
His grin turned mischievous. “Then I would’ve pointed you in the right direction. Come on, let’s get you to the door.”
He let go of her shoulder and held out his hand for her to take. She tentatively placed her small hand in his. His grin quirked up a notch before he turned and began pushing his way through. It wasn’t fair how easily he could get people to move. His quiet authority had people moving a lot quicker than her desperate pleas had.
In minutes she could see the open front door and exhaled in relief. Her rescuer faced her as soon as they stepped out onto the porch.
“You’re really relieved.” He ventured.
Surprise zipped through her. “How could you tell?”
His laid back laugh made her feel warm. “Easy. I could feel the tension leave your hand as soon as we stepped outside. You stopped clenching.”
“Oh” She blushed again. “Well, to say I have a hard time in crowds is a little bit of an understatement.”
She watched as surprise and then anger flashed through his expression of concern. “And your friend chose to bring you to this party?”
Lia nodded and looked back at the party going on inside. “More for her than for me.”
“Some friend.” He grumbled. “But you should know that I think you handled yourself wonderfully well for someone on the verge of a freak out.” He shrugged. “Let’s just say you had a look that I recognized.”
As she moved to leave she stopped and spun back to face him, sticking out her hand. “I’m Lia. Thank you for helping me out. “
He took her hand and tugged her back to him, giving her a warm hug. For a second she lost herself in a fuzzy happiness. Then reality slapped her in the face as a pretty girl pranced up the walkway and greeted Lia’s rescuer. “Hi Cole.”
“Hey Jo. See ya inside.”
Embarrassed, Lia stepped back and looked down. She felt absolutely ridiculous for holding onto that hug. She’d known this guy for all of a minute and here she was melting and simpering like a clingy ex girlfriend.
“Sorry for that.” She stammered out.
“For what?” He tugged her chin up to have her look straight into his all-too-sincere eyes. “I hugged you.” With an exaggerated whisper he leaned forward. She almost didn’t hear what he said because his very kissable lips were kissably close. “And I’d happily help you out again. Anytime Lia. When do I get to see you again?”
“Oh, I. Well.” She blinked, flustered. ” I live at the Abbott house near campus.”
His pleased smile was worth the admission. It was rare for her to even admit that she lived near campus and she had just given this gorgeous guy everything he needed to find her. Her audaciousness had her brain spinning. She stood there frozen, unsure whether she wanted to stop him from getting any closer or lean in to let him kiss her senseless. He whispered against her lips; not a kiss but the ghost of a promise of a kiss. “See you tomorrow then.”
“Tomorrow?” She struggled to process that this guy was going to come find her tomorrow. Less than a day. “Really?”
His chuckle slid deliciously down her spine. “I wouldn’t let you leave my side tonight if I didn’t think it would scare you off.”
“Isn’t…isn’t Jo waiting inside for you?” Lia was not interested in opening herself to have any feelings for a player or a liar.
“Jo?” His confusion was real for a few seconds as he tried to figure out who she was talking about.
“The girl who just went inside a minute ago.” She clarified.
“You must think I’m an idiot for not remembering her. Yeah that’s my best friend’s girl. We hang out all the time.”
“Oh.”
“Jealous?” His smile never left his face as he slowly inched his hands around her waist. However, he must have been able to tell she was starting to feel uncomfortable because he didn’t press further. Instead, he gently kissed her cheek. “How soon tomorrow can I see you?”
“Do you have to leave at all?” Her eyes widened when her brain caught up to her impulsive outburst.
“You’re the one leaving Lia. Breaking my heart, leaving the party early.” He let her go and stepped back further onto the porch. “Tomorrow. Lia.”
Lia held onto the words like a promise as she slowly waltzed her way home on a cloud.
