The restaurant was perfect, totally peaceful and romantic. I watched the light from the candles dance against my wine glass. The food was perfect. The bite of shrimp scampi I was currently chewing had been sauced and cooked to absolute perfection. My date was more than perfect. His name is Kevin and we've been dating for a couple of months now. He's tall, very well built, and more than handsome. He's got this blonde hair that is always perfectly fixed and these brown eyes that always have this expression of both interest, intelligence, and kindness and a straight mouth that says only things that are perfect.

I should be enjoying this very perfect moment and not picking it apart to absolute shreds. Yet, here I am.

The thing is, this perfectly romantic scene would be complete with one thing: someone else in it but me.

I know that sounds so ridiculous and I'd be telling anyone else to get over their insecurities and have a good time, but it isn't me being insecure at all. I'm telling the truth when I say it should be some other girl with Kevin in one of the nicest places in town.

I don't even like all this sap in the first place. I think it's great to enjoy nice food but I feel like I can't even laugh! I love to really, really laugh after a drink or two and this seems like the worst place! No one would ever tell me a dirty joke here or do something embarrassingly awkward because it's what normal people do.

Or how about me? I'm not trying to tear myself down, but I'm not fit for this guy! I'm 5'7. Not a big deal, but the perfect woman for him would be 5'8 of 5'9. I can admit that the perfect woman is no shorter. I have plain blonde hair that have a few streaks from the sun but I don't have it dyed at a professional hair salon that would do it to...prefection. My blue eyes are interesting and my curvy build is womanly, but well...I'm a little above average. My clothes right now are just thrown on, not bought with the help of some fashion guru, like all the women in here. I've got on a nice, cream wrap around dress with cream high heels and it not a good look for me. I don't even feel comfortable wearing this! I can't wait to get into my dark blue jeans, grey t-shirt, and grey high heeled boots with my fun silver jewelry and go to the club to watch my favorite band, the CanCans, play. Oh and that brings me to another imperfection...I'm in love with someone I'll never have.

"Skyler, are you okay?" Kevin asks in a very serious tone as he softly lays a hand on mine.

"Fine, Kev...I was just thinking that I'm really happy to be here." I lied with a huge fake smile and took a long swig of wine. He smiled back and nodded as he finished signing the credit card slip.

"What time are you supposed to be at Club 81?" he asked as he helped me out of my chair.

"Whenever." I shrugged and grabbed the ugly ass brown purse I'd borrowed from my best friend, Nina.

He looked at me in a patronizing way and chuckled, "Now, Skyler, (I get so sick of my full name, I told him a million times I'd rather be called Sky) I want to make sure you get back to your car in enough time so you can change and get to the club without speeding. Is this your second ticket now?" he opened the restaurant door and let me go out into the wonderful fall air.

"Fine. I'd like to be at my car at 9." I said and rolled my eyes as he gave his ticket to the valet.

"Splendid." he said and put his hand on the small of my back. He gently led me into his Hummer and we were off to his condo. He droned, I mean chatted, about the weather and when he'd like to go skiing with me next. For the hundredth time, I snowboard!

Shut up, stupid attitude! He's just trying to be thoughtful! This is every woman's dream! When he asked me out every girl I knew told me how lucky I was. He's a dentist, a philanthropist, and plays golf with his friends on weekends and a teacher, who is always broke from buying clothes, who occasionally drinks too much, should be well aware of her good fortune. He is great and I should be ecstatic, but he isn't Chance.

--

I stood in front of the mirror and fluffed my long, blonde hair to give it the volume it was already losing. I applied my black eyeliner, which was not going to hold out all night, very carefully and slapped a fresh coat of baby pink lipgloss to my lips. There! I felt more me already. I stepped out of Kevin's bathroom and threw all my 'dress-up' clothes into my large, black leather bag.

Kevin was unbuttoning his blue striped button up. Two buttons, huh, Kevin, you rebel! Too bad for me, I know he's got a nice bod! I found that out the one day I got him to really fool around. The man has hands that could leave me quaking with desire, but he's too damn chaste! I want him to fling me over his back, carry me into his room and throw me on his perfectly made bed, and do naughy things until I'm jello. A girl can dream.

While I'm thinking about this I notice Kevin is giving me the once-oever and I can tell he likes what he sees. This isn't a rip my clothes off look I'd so love to get, but it's admiring and I'll take it anyway.

"You sure changed into that fast." he said as he grabbed a Sprite out of the fridge. Sprite? Was he sick? STOP IT, SKYLER!

"Yeah, nothing like my fave jeans!" I said as I hopped around the room trying to put on my boots. Mr.Chivalry, dammit, I mean Kevin, ran to my aid and held my arm as I put the right boot on.

"Thanks." I said as we stood face to face. I gave him my best seductive look. "Sure I can't interest you in going with me? We could watch a movie at my place after." I trailed a finger down his chest and licked my lips. He smiled and kissed my forehead.

"Thanks Skyler, your'e really tempting, but I already told the guys to come over and we're going to play Madden. I'd hate to cancel." He walked over, turned on the TV, and dug out the remotes, as if to prove to me he was serious.

Good! I didn't want you to go, you'd only prevent me from watching Chance!

"Okay, maybe next time." I said as I walked to the door.

"Wait!" he cried as my hand grabbed his door handle. I turned as he sprinted over and pulled me into his arms. He passionately kissed me in an effort to be sexy, but it was too late, my mind was again with someone else.

"I had a really wonderful time with you." He said as his lips left mine.

"Nite." I breathlessly said as I strode off towards my car.

--

I pounded my steering wheel to my fave band, Muse. I'm going to dance and maybe drink a little too much tonite to relax. Yes! That sounds like a HELL of a lot more fun than my night so far! I know my roomie will be there. She's probably going to hook up with Lane, the drummer. They'd been giving each other do-me eyes for weeks! LUCKY GIRL! It was no secret the boys in the CanCan's were instrument wielding sex gods. No woman within a 10 mile radius hadn't drooled over the Denver hunks.

God, how long had we been friends with these guys? Five years? Well, Lane was new this summer, but Chance, the lead singer and his brother, Dash, the base player, we'd known since our days at college. I'd been a teaching major and had been assigned a room with Nina, a computer science major, and she had introduced me to the two best guys anyone had ever known.

I can just picture them sitting on their frat room couch, smoking, drinking, and rocking out to old-school Metallica. I'd sit with Nina and laugh and watch Chance for hours. He's tall, with a good body, and this black hair that's always this mess that you know he got from having mind-blowing sex. His eyes are a steel blue that frightens and attracts me in equal measure. He pisses me off all the time because he's so selfish and he thinks he knows everything. He is really smart, but that bastard can't know EVERYTHING! I need to stop thinking about him so much!

Of course even though those two partied all the time, Chance and Dash both got their degrees and opened up their own software company and are making tons of bucks. They have always loved music, though, and on the side they rock out with their band, the CanCans. I haven't seen them in a few weeks and I'm so pumped. I've been too busy hanging out with Kevin, trying to be a better person and Chance loves to tease me about it. I'm surprised he notices, what with the large breasted, bitches he's always got throwing themselves down his pants!

--

This amaretto sour is a bit too sweet but goes down like a dream as I wander the crowd looking for Nina. The CanCans are onstage playing one of their harder songs and I've got to push my way through pretty hard. People are swaying and closing their eyes to the rythmic pound of the drums. Lane sounds amazing tonite. I can barely catch a glimpse of Dash bouncing up and down and smiling like a ten-year-old. I finally make it up next to Nina who hugs me with her free hand. The other is pounding her fist in the air. Her red, pixy hair is stringing in her eyes and I am noticing she looks great in rolled up jeans and a black and blue striped sleeveless. Hey, that's my shirt!

We're at the front left of the stage so when Chance plays his piano we can watch him play and I can drool. His hair is getting longer and he's spiked it and he's wearing a black, military, button-up and dark jeans. Oh, yes, I'm going to picture him laying me down on that piano and slowly getting me naked. Okay, calm down girl!

The song ends and everyone screams, including Nina and me. Nina gives them one of her loudest whistles and Chance smiles at her. He winks and walks over to the piano. I catch her wink back at him and they both sort of look over at me and I'm wondering what that whole thing was about. Maybe they will hook up?! I won't be mad at her, just insanely jealous. Someone wonderful needs to hook up with that hotness!

I down the rest of my drink and set it on a small table near the stage. The lights have dimmed a little and Chance clears his throat as he pushes up his sleeves. Why is that so incredibly hot?!

"Hey, guys, we've got a new song I think you might like. It's a bit slow, but no less fantastic." he smiles that Cheshire-cat smile and his fingers start to glide across the keys.

He sings in that soft voice that makes you feel like he's whispering into your ear and telling you something sensual. Some girl behinde me sighs and a couple people cheer.

I don't wanna be adored

Don't wanna be first in line

Or make myself heard

I'd like to bring a little light

To shine a light on your life

To make you feel loved

No, don't wanna be the only one you know

I wanna be the place you call home

I lay myself down

To make it so, but you don't won't to know

I'd give much more

Than I'd ever ask for

The place is silent as his voice pours out and his music slowly spills from the piano he is carfeully touching. His eyes are closed and you can tell when he wrote this song he really meant every word.

Then, Dash softly joins in as Chance takes the tempo up just a pinch.

Will you see me in the end

Or is it just a waste of time

Trying to be your friend

His voice is getting more powerful and he's starting to pound the keys just a bit harder.

Just shine, shine, shine

Shine a little light

Shine a light on my life

Warm me up again

Suddenly, he opens his eyes and looks directly at me. My heart, which was beating hard before, is now racing and I have to make myself take in a deep breath. Those captivating blue eyes are not moving as he sings directly to me.

Fool, I wonder if you know yourself at all

You know that it could be so simple

I lay myself down

To make it so, but you don't want to know

You can take much more

Than I'd ever ask for

Now the slow beat of the drum has blended with the rest of the band and I can feel that Nina, Dash, and Lane are trying to watch me. Chance has now turned his eyes to the keys as he plays passionately. I'm starting to shake and Nina grabs my hand and squeezes.

Say a word or two to brighten my day

Do you think that you could see your way

To lay yourself down

And make it so, but you don't want to know

You can take much more

Than I'd ever ask for

He ends and everyone goes wild! They are clapping and I am fighting back monster tears. This couldn't be happening. I watch as Chance walks back over to the mike and picks up his guitar. He's watching the crowd, then me, then his bandmates, then back at me. Lane gets them started into a fast, rocking song and Chance smiles and starts jumping up and down and singing.

HOLY SHIT! I've got to get some air! I grab Nina and rush back to the bar.

"Did he write that for me? SHIT!" I yell to her as she squeals in delight and hugs me.

"He did! He told me today at sound check. I was sitting on Lane's lap and Dash asks him, 'Well, dude are you ready to get the girl?' and I was like 'So, Chance, who's the dumb slut this week?' and everyone laughs but Chance." Nina's starting to talk really fast as I stare at her in disbelief. "Chance doesn't laugh and Dash says 'Come on, Nina, tell me you haven't been so obessed with Lane and his man meat that you haven't even noticed how bad Chance has it for Sky?' and I was like 'Shut up, you bastard, I like Lane a lot more than just for some hot sex!' and Lane ws like 'Oh, hell yea, Nina!' and we started kissing and he does amazing things with his tongue!" she grinned a satisfied grin and folded her arms. "So, Sky, what you gonna do about Chance?"

"He can't like me!" I want to scream but instead it comes out a groan.

"He does. I suspect for a while now."

"Do you see how many women he could have? Why me and why now?"

Nina shakes her head at me. "Lane said you are the hardest girl to approach, you just seem so damn perfect. I guess Chance was a little intimidated by that."

"I'm not even close to perfect! Now Kevin...he's PREFECT!" I say angrily.

"So you must like him better than Chance. I guess he was too late." Nina sighs.

"No, I mean Kevin is that perfect that bugs you and you constantly try to make yourself feel worthy to be around and you wait in total agony for them to screw up! I'm not like that!" I say with fury in my voice.

"Oh." She replies with a bit of confusion.

"Look, I've got to go. Where will you be later?" I ask as I grab my key out of my back pocket and hug her.

"The boys are having a party at their house after. Wait...where are you going? What will I tell Chance?" she says as she follows me to the door.

"I've got something to do." I say cryptically and run to my car. I can hear Nina shouting after me but I don't care, I've got a situation to take care of.

--

"So, she just took off?" Dash asked for the second time.

"Yes! DAMMIT! I told you stupid asses that twice now! I don't know where she went she just asked me where I'd be later and I told her your house. Back the fuck up you guys!" Nina said as Chance and Dash stood menacingly over her.

"Yeah, give her some room." Lane said as he handed Chance a shot of whiskey. "Here you go man. Figured you'd need it."

"Thanks." Chance said as he kicked it back and wiped his mouth on his sleeve. He squinted his eyes as the liquid trickled down his throat.

"Sorry, Nina, it's just we didn't think she'd just bolt!" Dash said sheepishly.

"I know, I mean I knew she's liked you since college and I thought she'd be so happy when you told her how you felt." Nina sadly told Chance.

"Since college?" both boys said at one time.

"She never acted like it!" Chance said as he threw his hands up.

"Did you want her to act like one of your slutty groupies?" Nina countered.

"Hell no! It's just I thought she could tell. We've known each other for years."

"You obviously don't know her well enough to see she's been into you since day one."

"But why would she go out with some dude like...like..."

"Kevin?" everyone said in unison.

"I can't believe I fucking lost to some golfing, pansy ass guy who wears Abercrombie!"

Lane chuckled and Dash punched him in the arm.

"Sorry, dude." Lane mumbled "Let's take you home and get some beers in you and maybe a couple of hot chicks to help you forget."

Chance frowned and followed the group to the car.

--

I knocked hard on the door and waited impatiently for Kevin to answer. I could hear the TV on and his friends talking and yelling at the screen.

"Coming!" Kevin yelled, or at least said loudly, I'm pretty sure he never yells.

He opened the door and looked at me in total surprise. That was a first, I caught him off guard. He was wearing just a t-shirt and sweats, but they matched perfectly and looked great with his eyes. This guy is too much.

"Hey Skyler, is everything ok?" he said with a total look of concern.

"Yes, well, sort of...can you...can we talk outside for a minute? I'm really sorry to bother you." I said in my sweetest tone.

"Sure." he said and turned to his friends who were all looking at me with perfect looks of concern and kindness. Their hair looked perfect and I wanted to laugh. Is there a lab they make these guys in?

Kevin led me outside to the porch where I sat on the edge and waited for him to join me.

"Kevin, we need to talk." I told him matter-of-factly. Better just do this quick. "You are one of the most perf...um...personable people I have ever met. You are nice, smart, and super hot." I quickly chuckled but stopped when he frowned and breathed in heavy through his nose.

"But you don't want to date me any more." he said and I looked down at my hands and nodded.

"I'm a bitch." I added, trying to make him feel better.

"No." he disagreed with total adoring in his eys. "Never say that about your self! You are so wonderful! I've loved having opportunity to date you. If you feel this is best, then that's fine." I almost snorted. I'd rather put up with a bit more emotion, Kevin.

He hugged me and I hugged him back.

"I should go." I said and started to walk to my car.

"Bye, Skyler." he called and went into his house with a wave and a smile.

"Bye Mr. Perfect...For Someone Else." I called in a whisper and chuckled to myself.

--

The house was jumping when I got there. People were lined up on the wrap-around porch getting beer from the kegs and talking. I adjusted my shirt nervously and stood at the doorway. Two girls pushed past me and gave me dirty looks and I just sort of stared.

Okay, somewhere in the house was the man I wanted...fine, loved, if I wanted to tell the truth. He drove me crazy and made me laugh and I wanted to lick him all over! We'd been through a lot together and I'd easily call him one of my very best friends and I have no doubt he'd call me the same. We were lucky. Actually, I was both lucky and stupid for standing here being so damn scared. This was Chance! Yeah, it was Chance! I sidestepped a couple of more people coming out and leaned against the wall. Chance, the guy who I'd talk to for hours at our coffee shop. Who taught me to snowboard and who I taught to cook. Chance, who I'd do anything for and who'd done so much for me!

I stood up and pulled my lipgloss from my purse with serious determination. I nervously applied it and walked into the dimly lit house as the music hit me with full force. I took a deep breath and absorbed the pulsating beat of PanicatheDisco and went in search of Chance. It had dawned on me how much he had been trying to tell me how he felt. He was smooth with girls. He oozed sexiness and charm. I saw how he made girls bow to his every whim with a dark, mysterious attitude and lustful stare. This was not the Chance I saw. He joked with me and talked to me like a person and even went out of his way to be good to me. This was the other side of Chance that he had chosen to show me. He'd been trying to tell me his feelings for years and I'd been so sure he would never feel anything for me I'd dismissed them!

--

"Hey Chance, you sounded amazing tonite." a girl cooed as she ran her manicured hand down his arm and licked her lips. Dash and Lane rolled their eyes at each other as Chance took a drink of his beer.

"Thanks." he said non-committally and leaned back against the sink.

"Shoo!" Nina griped to the girl who was about to push her chest up against him but was shoved away.

"Bitch!" the girl called as she stumbled out of the kitchen.

The guys laughed and Lane grabbed her waist and pulled her flush against him.

"Okay, you two need to just go up to Lane's room and get this over with so we aren't swimming in your hormonal vibes any more." Dash gagged and scooted over next to his brother. Chance just laughed and took another drink.

"Fine, we will go. You guys have a good night." Lane told them as he pulled Nina away and gave Chance a thoughtful smile.

"Go, have some hot loving!" Chance called to the couple teasingly. "Forget about me left here with nothing but this shithead!"

Dash punched his arm and they laughed. There was a long pause as niether said a word.

"You okay bro?" Dash said to Chance as his older brother downed the last of his beer. He could tell Chance was buzzed but not yet drunk.

Suddenly, Chance's back straightened and his eyes lit up like fire. Dash looked to see what had caught his brother's attention and saw the retreating back of Skyler. Chance charged towards her and Dash clapped his hands and laughed.

--

Oh God, I found him! He doesn't see me. He's resting against the sink looking like a king in his castle. He just oozes sex. I've red it a million times in steamy novels, those women who think men can ooze sex, and before I met Chance I thought it was stupid. I was so wrong! That man stands in a way that tells you he'd lord over your body and you'd willingly let him.

I can see a girl or two look over their shoulder or stare openly at them to see if he'll notice. He doesn't. He's content to stand with his brother and drink his beer. He's hitting his drink pretty hard and I'm sure it's because of me.

I've sort of walked into the entryway of the kitchen. People are passing in front of me and I know Chance and Dash haven't even noticed me. Nina and Lane just left and the brothers are just standing there drinking and talking. I don't know what to say. I think I'll just back up and walk away. I can't do this! I should just go home. Chance could have sung that song to someone else! Couldn't he have?!

SHIT! He sees me! I'm going to run up stairs to hide!

I'm easily dodging people in my escape. I've made it to the stairs and I look back to see that Chance has somewhat lost me in the darkness. People are everywhere and I duck down and crawl up the hardwood steps. How lame am I!

Thank God! I've made it to the hallway where the bedrooms are! Not many people are up here, to my joy. I can now breathe and think about how to get out of this house. I know I love him but I'm a chicken! He doesn't have to live with the things he teases me about. I snore, I drink too much, I cuss a lot, I wear t-shirts more than dresses, and I'm not who he thinks I am! I'm no precious doll, for sure!

I slip into the shadows and lay my head against the door of a bedroom. The cold wood feels good against my back. It's too dark for me to know which one, I think it's Dash's. I take deep breaths and listen for the sounds of footsteps, but it's just some guys talking near the stairs and a girl on her cell phone. I think I can safely plan my escape now.

"Nice try!" a voice softly whispers and as I open my eyes and gasp as soft lips crash into mine.

He found me! He found me and he's kissing me! Damn, he's really kissing me! His hands have snaked around me and his body has gone flush against mine. I sigh and he plunges his tongue into my mouth. Oh God, I'm kissing him back! I've got to run my hands over his strong back and feel all of him! His soft groan is telling me he really likes that. I am making Chance groan? Oh wow! I am making Chance GROAN!

He's kissing my face and working on my neck and before I can scream 'Take me now!' one of his arms pulls away and opens the door. It wasn't Dash's door I was against at all, I was right at Chance's door and now I'm being led into his room.

The door slams shut and I'm being pushed against it.

"Sky...I...need you." he says softly as he looks into my eyes. His expression is lusty and loving at the same time. I jump into his arms and wrap my legs around his waist. The door collides with my back and Chance's mouth is trailing down my neck to my collarbone.

"Oh...God...Chance." I say aloud. That was supposed to be in my head! He smiles into my neck and carries me to his bed. He lays me down and runs over to his door as voices outisde get close.

I watch as he locks the door and throws off his shirt. I can see glowing eyes watching me under disheveled hair and he's never been so sexy. I can't help but grin and anxiously wait for him to take those few steps back to his rumpled, cozy bed.

He slowly crawls onto the bed and over me and I grab his arms and our eyes never stop their connection.

"Thank you for the song." I say as he lowers himself to kiss me.

"I'm glad you came back." he murmured as he pulls my shirt off.

"I had to ditch something first." I softly laugh and he smiles.

As my shirt lands on the floor he studies me with total awe and I frown.

"Do you have to examine me like that?" I say and crinkle my nose.

"Sky, I've been waiting to look at you naked for years. And trust me, I'm going to take my time enjoying what I see."

I blush and grab him by his belt loops.

"Well, then, let's make this fair. I want to see what I've been dreaming about for years." I tell him as I undo his pants. God, could I blush any harder from that confession?

He chuckles and grabs my shoulders and pulls me to him in a kiss. I nibble at his neck before he slowly works his fingers over my breasts and to the hooks of my bra. His fingers are playing with my skin like he plays the piano and I'm going to scream in pleasure before we even get to the good stuff!

A long while later we are laying under under the covers not speaking and I smile as I think that this is where I should be. I won't even analyze why it feels so perfect.

--

Okay, the song is Hamburg Song from Keane and I'll be really sad if I get sued for my tiny, little story. PLEASE don't hurt me!