Landon had jogged around to help me out of the truck and leaped gracefully to the ground, keeping a light hold on his hand. He laced his fingers through mine loosely and pulled me towards the door with a big grin, clearly excited. We scaled the steps and passed Damien, who glared at our linked hands, causing Landon to turn to me and make a mocking ugly face. He crossed his eyes and poked his tongue out of his mouth, I, in turn, laughed increasing the intensity of Damien’s glare. Landon tugged on my hand and we entered the Ruritan building to the strains of country music. We made our way through the small crowd to the table filled with food.

“You read my mind, Landon.”

“I try,” he smiled, handing me a plate. I filled it with a few chocolate-covered strawberries, some light cake and grapes. I waited for him at the end of the line, watching him pile his plate high.

“Quite the appetite you have.”

He looked at me, “I’m a growing boy, you know, I’m entitled to my food.” He patted his belly. I grinned and grabbed his free hand in the low lights, leading him over to a table where I’d recognized Rachel’s parents. We sat down and I made the introduction. Rachel’s parents were full of questions about where I’d been so conversation flowed easily. I’d been wondering why Rachel hadn’t come though, and she’d skirted the question, and I couldn’t help but wonder why the social butterfly was absent.

“So, Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds, I couldn’t help but wonder why Rachel isn’t here tonight?”

They exchanged looks before Mrs Reynolds shrugged and turned back to me. “Well, Alex, I don’t know if it’s our place to tell you but Will…well…he’s brought his fiancée back to town.”

“Oh.” I was shocked, but for more reasons than one. Rachel hadn’t said anything and shed never been one to run from her problems. Sensing it was sensitive topic, I turned to Landon and asked him whether he was as clumsy as he used to be.

He turned back towards the Reynolds, asking them to excuse us as he showed me the very definition of grace. I had to admit, his dancing wasn’t half bad. He could keep time and made it easy to move with him.

“Who gave you dance lessons?”

“My sister, as lame as that sounds.”

“It was worth it,” I responded, trying to comfort him. We continued spinning around the makeshift dance floor until the song came to an end.

“That was fun.” He brushed a light kiss on my cheek. To my delight, it caused a small flutter of butterflies in my stomach. I smiled softly at him, allowing my eyes to drink in the slanting planes of his face as he gazed at me, at least until my eyes caught a flash of movement to the left of his shoulder. I spun, still holding onto his hand, and began leading him back to the table.

“Landon, buddy, fancy seeing you here.” Damien threw his arm around Landon’s shoulders, effectively halting us both. “What say you I cut in with the pretty little lady here?” Landon flicked his eyes between us, sensing trouble.

“Damien, how about you give us a min-”

“Landon,” Damien spit out, “whether or not you or she knows it, Alex’s my woman. She always has been and everyone’s always known that. It wasn’t a question.” Landon didn’t seem too put out.

“It’s up to Alex.”

“Let’s dance Damien. Clearly we need to establish just whose woman I am. I’ll be right back, Landon.” I lead the way back onto the floor, angry beyond words. Not only was I not his in the least, but he’d dared to embarrass me and threaten my date. I had no doubts as to whether Damien would’ve taken it outside if given the chance. He’d done so several times my senior year. We began to move to the slow song, swaying back and forth. Landon had been good, but Damien was just as amazing as I remembered. He pulled me close, smiling, and his scent threatened to make me forget the reason I was wrapped up in his arms after so many years.

“Look, Damien.” I took a deep breath, calming my skyrocketing senses. “I’m not yours, you lost the right to call me that years ago and you need to figure that out.”

“It feels like you need to do some forgetting too.” My mouth snapped shut.

I thought my next words over carefully. “I do need to finish forgetting you, I’ll give you that much. But I will, no matter what you do. Don’t bother my dates, don’t intrude on my life. If you want to be friends, those are the rules. And don’t hold me so close.”

He bent his head and for one heart stopping second, I thought he’d kiss me. His face brushed the hair lying beside my ear and his warm breath tickled my neck. “If that’s the game you’re playing, don’t be surprised when you lose. I’ll see you later tonight. You’re mine, whether or not you know it.” I ripped out of his grasp and stomped back towards Landon.

I danced, I drank, and I had a good time with Landon, who said nothing of Damien to my relief. But, throughout the evening, my mind kept drifting back to him.

“You about ready to go, Alex?” I started guiltily and nodded my assent to Landon.

We spent the ride home sitting in silence. I didn’t know what to say. And apparently, neither did he. He pulled into my drive, turned the truck off, and flicked his lights off before he turned towards me.

“Alex, I really had a good time with you tonight. Truly.” He took a deep breath. “You’re beautiful and easy to be around. I like you. But, if you’re leaving in a month, regardless of your friend, I’m not sure this is a good idea. But, I’m leaving it up to you. I’ll walk you to your door.”

I opened my door and walked around the truck to meet him. I grasped his hand in my own as I thought about what I wanted to say.

“Landon, being with you was fun. You’re right, though, I’m not sure if now is the right time for this. I do need to apologize for Damien’s behavior; I’m sorry. I would like to try this out a few more times though, before I leave.”

He smiled as though I’d made his day, teeth glinting in the darkness. We’d reached my porch, and he tugged me closer by my hand to kiss me chastely on the cheek. I waved as he pulled away and went into my house, ready for bed.

I couldn’t have been asleep more than ten minutes when I heard a strange sound. I sat up, startled, looking around. It wasn’t until I heard the sound a few more times that I looked out of the window. My mouth dropped, unable to believe it. I slammed my window open.

Sticking my head out of my window, I managed to hiss, “Damien?!” through clenched teeth.

He did nothing but laugh, “Come on down, Alex. I’ve got something I want to show you.”

I could hardly believe his gall. “No. Go back home, Damien. I’m not going anywhere with you.” I looked down and my athletic shorts and tank top. Just for good measure, I narrowed my eyes at him.

He threw his head back and laughed again. “Alex. Come on, have a sense of adventure. I will come get you if I have to.”

I snorted derisively at him before spinning around and slamming the window with equal force as I’d opened it. I hopped back into bed and pulled the covers up just before Damien strode through my doorway. He never broke stride as he walked over to my bed and lifted my out of it and down the stairs. I was too shocked to say anything. Yet.

A/N: Sooo, no excuses but Spring break and college visits. Please review!

RavenStrike: Sorry I couldn’t get this out sooner! Did the night turn out satisfactorily?

Linece: I will, actually. Just not quite yet. Probably soon.