“But he’s with someone else now,” Chyna stated hesitantly. She was afraid to set her off again and have a repeat of what had just happened. She had never been so afraid for anyone in her life.

“I know. I know. He said he wants to make things right with me. I told him we could only be right if neither of us are attached. I need to give him the time to become unattached.”

“And how do you know he’ll do that?” Chyna asked. “I mean, didn’t he call you down here because he was ready to commit in the first place.”

Lexi bit her lip. “Not exactly. It was more for her benefit. It just seemed to backfire on her. He realized that he knew what he really wanted when I was around. That he wants me. You should have seen his jealous face when he found out that I went on a date with Ramsey,” she said smiling fondly at the memory.

“And what about him? Just one date? You told me that you kind of liked him,” Chyna mentioned hoping that something…anything would snap her friend out of this.

“Ramsey’s…ya know. Whatever. I had a good time, but he’s so…all in your face. His personality is all encompassing. I can’t breathe around him,” Lexi told Chyna, surprised by the reality of her words.

Chyna cleared her throat. “Some people think these are good qualities. It’s called passion,” she mumbled peaking at her friend from under her thick dark lashes.

Lexi scowled at her friend. She didn’t want to think about Ramsey, mostly, because she didn’t know what to do about Ramsey. He wasn’t like the other people she had dated. She had thought that he would be easy to figure out, a cookie-cutter sort of character. Yet, she couldn’t deny that she had enjoyed herself on their date, uncharacteristically so. She had lost herself in his strange, in-your-face personality for a time. She had even forgotten about Jack. It had surprised her that she had been able to forget such strong memories while with another man. She had become so accustomed to measuring up every guy to Jack that, if she was honest with herself, it had been a pleasant reprieve from the tireless drone of unimpressive desperation that most guys wore like cloaks.

“I don’t know about that,” Lexi replied biting her teeth and averting her eyes.

Chyna chewed on the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling at her friend’s reaction. It was the same disbelieving tone she had used on the phone when talking about this Ramsey character. Chyna simply couldn’t wait to meet him to find out what exactly was so special about him. “I think you do.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter. I can’t go out with him again when this stuff is going on with me and Jack,” Lexi told her.

“What? Why not? He’s going to be with Bekah!” Chyna cried forgetting her promise to herself that she wouldn’t get too excited while talking to Lexi. She bit her lip waiting for Lexi’s reaction.

“Shit!” Lexi cried, her eyes lighting up with worry.

“Oh God, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring it up again.”

“No, not that,” she cried closing her eyes and smacking her head backwards against the headboard. She cursed again, louder this time, with the pain of slamming her head.

“Don’t do that,” Chyna cried reaching for her friend.

Lexi staved Chyna off. “I forgot I’m supposed to be going with Ramsey to Jack’s birthday party on Saturday.”

“Oh!” Chyna said her mouth popping open.

“What am I going to do, C?” Lexi asked tears welling in her eyes from the pain in her head and the sudden realization that she was in quite a pickle.

“That’s easy, sweetie,” Chyna told her reassuringly. “You show up with that hunk of a man on your arm and revel in the jealousy that will flow freely from Jack. It’s too easy honestly.”

“I don’t need to make him jealous,” Lexi said her brows furrowing.

Chyna rolled her eyes. “It’s a reminder that if this is what he wants,” she gestured towards Lexi, “then he needs to make up his fucking mind.”

*****

That is how Lexi and Chyna ended up three days later in a black stretch limo escorting them to Jack’s birthday extravaganza. Ramsey had dropped off Lexi’s purchases at Chyna’s penthouse suite. The two had instantly hit it off while Lexi glanced anxiously between the two. For some reason, Ramsey never passed more than a fleeting glance in Chyna’s direction. It was unlike anything Lexi had ever seen. Most guys openly ogled her gorgeous best friend, but Ramsey managed to make pleasant conversation without flirting and without coming onto her. Lexi was amazed by the end of the encounter, and didn’t know what to think about it.

After that, Lexi visited her family for the remainder of the week. Chyna came down for an afternoon to meet the family, but otherwise had occupied herself as she always had with guys and nightlife. The time at home had been refreshing and grounded her unlike anything else could. The reality of the past week was setting in, and she needed to get a grip on herself if she was going to survive the weekend. Her parents hadn’t badgered her with questions about herself. They had just seemed genuinely happy to have her around, even though it was a shorter period of time then she had promised. They did seem to like the prospect that she might take the Georgia Bar, and practice law a little closer to home. She didn’t want to get their hopes up though and felt bad when they continued to bring it up.

Regardless, Lexi was more nervous about the upcoming night. Ramsey looked smashing when he entered Chyna’s penthouse. He wore an amazing Armani tux that was tailored to perfection. His blonde hair was spiked and something about his green eyes sparkled when he entered the room. Lexi had to remind herself to breathe when his gaze met hers. He had commented on how beautiful they looked, and Lexi had to admit that both of them had really outdone themselves.

Chyna’s shiny black hair flowed out across her shoulders and down her back, just above where the back of her lacy black dress came to a point. The halter dipped low enough in the front to show off the tops of her perky breasts and hugged tight to her body flowing out around her calves.

A red, strapless, sweetheart bodice clung to Lexi’s tiny form giving her curves that even she was surprised that she had. The dress fell to the top of her knees revealing the chiseled muscles in her calves that were only more prominent from the black stilettos that adorned her feet. Her chocolate curls were expertly held up off the back of her neck into a messy bun creation with tendrils falling around her face. Ramsey’s mouth parted at the sight of her, for once, speechless.

Lexi lounged back against the leather interior, a smile playing across her face at the memory of the look on his face.

“What are you all smiley about?” Ramsey asked not able to keep from speaking for very long. His arm was rested precariously over the back of her seat, a champagne flute held loosely in the other hand.

“Um, what?” Lexi asked jumping in surprise. She hadn’t expected to be caught.

Chyna’s eyebrows lifted on the other side of the car. A smile crossed her face when she looked upon the couple, even though she could see Lexi flinching.

“You’re all smiley,” he repeated trailing his free hand across her cheek.

Her eyes bulged slightly at the light contact. She sure hoped this wasn’t going to be one of those nights where she couldn’t keep control of her emotions. Ramsey was…well, he wasn’t Jack. Of that much she was certain, but that didn’t mean she didn’t enjoy his company.

Lexi tried to push Chyna’s words about Ramsey out of her head. She didn’t want to use him to make Jack jealous. She didn’t really want to think that she was using anyone.

“Just smiley,” she told him as she dipped her head backwards leaving his hand caressing thin air. He didn’t seem affronted by her rejection and rested his hand against the back of the seat once more. “Where are we going?”