And then my phone rang again making my heart stop.

Shit, it was Rachel.

I answered it hesitantly. It felt weird talking to her so soon after making plans with Kylie. Even though it shouldn't. It's not like Rachel was my girlfriend. For all intents and purposes, Kylie had been my girlfriend. Even though she wasn't anymore, I had to add vehemently.

That wasn't the point.

The point was I shouldn't feel like I was cheating on Rachel by agreeing to go to Melissa's party with Kylie. It was insane. I was insane.

“Hiya Rach,” I said, trying to go for neutral and unaffected and swearing that I was failing miserably.

“Hey loser. We on for Melissa's tonight?” Rachel asked in a voice that wasn't babyish or annoying. Then I realized what she had asked me. Crap. Had we made plans to go to the party together? I wracked my brain but came up blank. Fuckety-fuck-fuck!

“Uh...well, I...well...” I was stumbling all over my words like some low functioning moron with a brain defect. Open mouth, insert foot.

“Daniel. Are you not going to pick me up for Melissa's party? Is that what I'm to take away from your monosyllabic mumbling?” Rachel asked tersely. Time to salvage. I needed to do it before she came through the phone and strangled me.

“Of course Rach. I can pick you up and then we can go get Kylie.” I just decided to bite the bullet. I mean, she was going to be pissed no matter what, might as well make it now rather than later. There was an immediate silence. I wondered for a moment if she had hung up. Not that I would blame her.

“Rach?” I asked into the dead air. Why did her anger make me want to run and hide? I had never been freaked out by it before. But now, the thought of her being pissed at me had me trembling in my sneakers. So much for smooth, lady's man, Daniel Lowe. I think he'd been kicked squarely in the proverbial nut sack and wouldn't be making a reappearance until I decided to grow some damn chest hair and grow up.

“Just forget it. You have fun with Kylie,” Rachel spit out and then it was my turn to get pissed. Who the hell was she to give me a hard time about taking my ex-girlfriend to a party? I really didn't recall making plans with her. So, this time I really wasn't blowing her off. So what gives?!

“No need to be a bi..witch about it, Rach. It's not like we had definite plans or anything,” I snapped, though I was glad I had stopped myself from making the colossal mistake of assigning her the “b” word. That would have brought on the apocalypse for sure. I was definitely playing for Team Dumbass this evening on all fronts.

“You're right, Daniel. We didn't have plans. I guess I just wanted to hang out is all.” Her voice sounded sad, even as she tried to cover it up.

“I'm sorry, Rach. Seriously...” I started but she cut me off.

“Just forget it, Danny. I'm being silly. Of course you'd want to hang out with your girlfriend. I get it. Have fun and I'll see you there,” she backpedaled. I wish she wouldn't do that. It was as though she believed her thoughts and feelings were less important than everyone else's. I started to tell her that Kylie wasn't my girlfriend anymore, because needing to clarify that seemed really important just then, but I realized Rachel had already hung up.

It was going to be a fantastic night. I could just feel it.

Cue the sarcasm.

Chapter Seven

~Rachel~

Happy, happy drunk. That was me. And such a light weight too. One and half beers later and I was feeling the warm, fuzzy blanket of alcohol induced euphoria. I felt good. More than good. In fact, my earlier hurt feelings and overall need to kick Daniel Lowe's butt had subsided as I got my party on.

Maggie and I had been at Melissa's bonfire for less than twenty minutes and I was beginning to relax. No signs of Daniel or Kylie. So far so good.

I was nodding absentmindedly while Jeremiah and Lila tried to rope me into their latest fundraising efforts. I was half listening as they droned about a clothing drive for homeless tigers in Africa or something.

My head bobbed to the music and I finished the last of my beer. Raymond Lewis stumbled by and shoved another Solo cup in my hand. “Here ya go!” he yelled enthusiastically as he pushed his way past me. I peered into the cup and shrugged. Looked okay. I took a drink and cringed. Yuck, warm beer.

Okay, I was done with the philanthropic duo. I gave Lila and Jeremiah a polite smile and excused myself, looking for Maggie. Where the heck had she gone?

Ah, I should have known. She was with Clay. They seemed to always find each other. Like magnets or flies to garbage...whatever. I chastised myself mentally for my immediate jump to the negative. I didn't even know Clayton Reed. All I did know was my best friend was bat poo crazy about him.

I watched the two as I slowly headed toward them. And seeing them, standing close together, Clay's eyes on Maggie's down turned face, their bodies angled toward each other as though they couldn't resist the other's pull, I could admit it was sort of beautiful.

So, maybe it was the alcohol talking, but I think I liked Clay right then. Because I could see how much he cared about Maggie. Body language didn't lie and his body was practically shouting how much he loved her. And she didn't think he thought of her in that way...psh...she was an idiot. Or blind.

“Hey guys!” I yelled, overly boisterous. Maggie smirked as I joined them. I tried to smirk back, but I think my face ended up doing something else, because Maggie just looked at me oddly. I glanced over at Clay and my heart softened toward him. He looked so adorably awkward. Completely out of place but obviously not wanting to leave Maggie.