Ramsey turned his brilliant smile on her, and she gritted her teeth to keep from sending him a girly smile in return. “It’s a surprise if you don’t already know,” he said confidently.

“You and your surprises,” Lexi griped.

“You seemed to like the last one,” he huskily whispered.

This time Lexi couldn’t keep the smile from her face. “Yes, well…” she stammered.

Chyna giggled in the corner, quickly brushing her hand up to her mouth to contain her laughter. Lexi’s eyes darted to Chyna, glaring in her direction. Chyna winked back unable to control her euphoria.

The car continued forward, and Lexi tried to piece together the direction they were driving through the city in an effort to determine their destination. Lexi recognized the buildings as they passed the Georgia Tech and Georgia State campuses. They were going in the opposite direction of Buckhead. So once again, Ramsey had surprised her. Though she wouldn’t let him know. She wasn’t certain where they would hold a birthday party around here though. Even when she had been with Bekah searching for formal dresses, she hadn’t been quite certain where they were going that required something so formal. Now it appeared that they weren’t even going to be in the city.

As the limo took the next exit off of the interstate, Lexi’s eyes lit up with excitement. She had spent dozens of evenings inside the walls of the place they were about to be dropped off. Turner Field, home of the Atlanta Braves baseball team, appeared before them. The parking lot was near empty which signified that there must be an away game. The limo dropped them off at the front entrance of the stadium where they were immediately escorted inside.

Even Chyna seemed impressed by the extent that had been put into a simple birthday party. She had thrown her fair share of impressive parties, but this was altogether different compared to the things that occurred in New York.

Lexi, Chyna, and Ramsey followed the usher inside and as they rounded the corner the 755 Club came into focus. Ramsey thanked the guide and sent him on his way as he stepped forward to the hostess. The tall, buxom blonde standing behind the desk smiled pleasantly as Ramsey approached her. They shared a few words that showed they were acquaintances. Lexi’s stomach knotted as the woman turned what appeared to be the full force of her charm on Ramsey. She knew it was irrational to feel anything, and honestly, she didn’t even know what this feeling was that was taking residence in her stomach.

Ramsey gestured towards Lexi and Chyna, and the woman’s face soured slightly at the indication that he had brought two dates. The woman motioned for them to enter.

“What was that all about?” Chyna whispered to Lexi. She shrugged her shoulders not really wanting to know. Lexi had too many of her own issues to deal with, without thinking about someone else’s.

The room they entered was large enough for a party to fill, but not too big that everyone would be so spread out they wouldn’t enjoy themselves. The space was already beginning to crowd in.

Lights were dimmed and music was playing evenly through the speakers at a volume just loud enough that no one had to speak over the music to be heard. Hors d’oeuvres were being carted around the room on silver platters. There was an open bar along one side of the establishment and another that opened up to a stunning view of the Braves field. The sun had set across the veranda, and the last hints of pink and orange hues lit up the building before diminishing into darkness.

Lexi’s eyes followed the crowd of formally dressed do-gooders noticing a distinct pattern. She set her gaze on the swarm surrounding one end of the bar. Through the crowd a pair of blue eyes seemed to catch sight of her across the room. His mouth opened slightly when he took in her breathtaking beauty, all concentration lost on his eager subjects. He was king for the night, and the room full of jesters were keen to do his bidding. The queen at his side appeared elegant and serene in her flowing, gold, silk dress. She upturned her nose as the king extracted himself from her grasp and volleyed himself across the floor to his mistress in red.

Bekah followed quickly behind, speaking before Jack could reach Lexi. “Ramsey,” she cried wrapping her arms around her big brother. “What took you so long?”

Ramsey smiled down on her. “I had two gorgeous ladies to escort,” he said wiggling his eyebrows up and down and moving to wrap his arms protectively around Lexi and Chyna.

“You came with him?” Jack asked them even though it was pretty obvious to anyone involved with the situation that he was talking directly to Lexi. After the conversation she had had with Jack about her date with Ramsey, she was amazed this was all the reaction she had elicited from him.

“I did tell him that I would go with him, and I wouldn’t want to go back on my promise,” Lexi stated pointedly. Jack’s eyes blazed at the implications behind the statement, but before he could react, he was shouldered out of the way from behind.

“What the…” he trailed off.

“Lexi, baby, oh dear God. Please tell me you are single. Please, oh please, oh please,” Seth cried running his hands down her sides.

Lexi couldn’t help but giggle as he scooped her up into his arms. “Seth, put me down,” she cried as he twirled her around in place, knocking her legs into the unlucky few who didn’t get out of the way.

“I’m never letting go,” he said setting her on his feet, but dropping his head so that it rested on her breasts. Lexi let out a peel of laughter at the absurdity of the situation.

“I haven’t seen you in forever. The least you could do would be to give me a legitimate hug,” she told Seth.

Just then someone stood behind Seth and smacked him hard against the back of the head. “You get off her this instant, you pig,” Sandy cried grabbing at his arms.

“Oh, sweetie, it’s just Lexi,” he said letting go and turning to his wife.

Sandy nudged him out of the way and reached out to hug Lexi instead of continuing her scolding. “I’m sorry, Lexi. It really is good to see you. When Jack told me you were coming, I flipped my shit. I was so excited.”

“I can’t believe you’re here either. Jack didn’t tell me you two were coming up,” she said glaring over at Jack.

“Don’t blame him,” Sandy replied swatting at her husband’s wandering hands. “Seth didn’t think he’d be able to get away. It was kind of last minute.”

“This is a touching reunion, but I need a drink,” Chyna said as she wandered away towards the bar.

“I should probably follow her. You never know what…or who is going to happen to Chyna when she is alone,” Lexi said extracting herself from the group. As much as she loved Seth and Sandy, it just brought back too many painful memories to be around them, especially with Jack only a few feet away. She took one brief glance backwards and saw him staring at her behind as she walked away. She knew that look. It was right before his eyes turned crystal clear blue and his desire began to peak. He wanted her. Right now. It didn’t matter where he was at the moment. He just wanted to have her.

One more reason for her to back away from him. She wasn’t sure how well she would be able to resist him when he looked so damn good, and was looking at her like he could devour her whole.

“C, what am I doing here?” Lexi asked as she reached Chyna and latched onto her elbow.

“Because you want him,” she stated simply, ordering a round of dirty martinis for them. The bartender almost instantly had the drinks before them. He was cute, roguish looking with a strong jaw line masked by stubble and dark hungry eyes. She smiled at him taking in the way his large, callused hands poured the drinks into triangle-shaped glasses. He pushed the drinks towards her on blue and white napkins. Chyna produced a twenty from her billfold and tossed it into the blue glass tip container. He winked at her. Lexi knew Chyna could have his number any minute now.