She found the restroom easily, but she took her time once she got in there. She didn’t really have to use the restroom, but she didn’t want it to seem like she had just disappeared for no reason. She washed her hands slowly and touched up her makeup before forcing herself to walk back out into the party.

Almost immediately, Lexi saw Cierra out of the corner of her eye and walked over to her, waving as she approached.

Cierra was in a short black sequined dress with high heels to match, and her boy toy was in a black suit with a skinny black tie. He was cute with a baby face, and he didn’t seem to see anything else in the room but Cierra. The girl was crazy if she didn’t think he looked at her like Ramsey did with Lexi.

“Hey, girl! You look fabulous!” Lexi said.

“Lexi! Thank you. You look great, too!” Cierra cried. “This is my man, Deon.”

“So nice to meet you,” Lexi said, taking his extended hand.

“Pleasure is all mine.”

He looked like he could be a basketball player. He was tall and skinny but still muscular. Lexi felt miniature next to his towering height.

“Are y’all having a good time so far?” Lexi asked.

“There’s an open bar,” Cierra observed. “I’m not sure the party can get much better than that.”

Lexi laughed. “Yeah, that’s a nice feature.”

“There you are,” Lexi heard someone say behind her right before she felt an arm wrap around her waist.

“Oh!” she said, trying to twist out of the embrace she hadn’t been expecting.

She turned in place and stared up into a pair of hazel eyes. She stopped squirming. Damn, that man was attractive.

“John,” she whispered.

“Lexi,” he said with a smug smirk. “It’s good to see you.”

Coming to her senses real quick, Lexi pulled out of his arms and stood up straight. She could feel Cierra’s and Deon’s eyes on her, but she couldn’t meet them.

“You, too. Have you met Cierra?” she asked, pulling them into the conversation. “She works at the medical wing.”

“Ah, I don’t believe I have,” he said, shaking her hand and then Deon’s.

“John works for Global. He was one of the people in charge of getting the hospital up and running in time,” Lexi explained.

“Wow, nice gig,” Cierra said, glancing at Lexi again.

“Well,” Lexi said awkwardly, “I’m glad y’all could make it. Come find me later.”

“All right, Lexi.” Cierra gave her a disapproving look.

For someone Lexi had known for only a few short weeks, she sure had Chyna’s stares down.

They left Cierra alone with her man, and Lexi and John wandered slowly toward Jessica, who looked stunning in a square-cut coral dress that hugged her frame to her knees before fanning out to the floor.

“You look…God, what’s the right word?” John said, eyeing her up and down appreciatively. “Stunning…radiant…”

She shook her head. “No need to continue. I get it. Thank you.”

John was in a light gray suit with a dark royal blue tie. Whatever cologne he was wearing tonight was musky and intoxicating. It made her head spin a little.

“I haven’t seen much of you lately,” he said.

“I’ve been busy.”

“Ah, with that Elisa girl?”

Lexi ground her teeth together. She knew that John would know about that. Everyone knew about it…but she really didn’t like to talk about it.

“I haven’t even thought about it,” she spat out.

“It’s just us. You don’t have to lie.”

“Look, I don’t really want to talk about it,” she said stiffly. “I should actually go find Ramsey now.”

“He’s just up there with Parker,” John said, gesturing to the front of the room.

Lexi’s head snapped up. God, she hadn’t been gone that long, had she? It shouldn’t have been a surprise to see her here…or them together, but it still was. Not to mention, Parker looked striking in the very casual, effortless way she always exuded.

She had on a forest-green dress with small swirls of black in it that accented her figure and slimmed her already trim form. The thin straps cut into a shapely V in the front before the dress dropped to pool at her feet. Standing next to Ramsey, it was clear she wasn’t wearing high heels because she still barely came up to his shoulder. Her brown hair was down, past her shoulders, and in a natural just-got-out-of-the-shower wavy style. Her freckles were evident against her pale skin, even from where Lexi was standing. The only true adornment that Parker wore was the bright cherry-red lipstick on her lips. Lexi had never really seen her in makeup before, and the lipstick made her look startlingly pretty.

“Is Ramsey’s tie green?” John asked into Lexi’s ear.

“Yes,” she said softly.

She hadn’t thought about it. His tie was green. They matched—again. Ugh!

“They’re so cute together, huh?”

“Not working,” she said, stabbing a finger into his chest. “And you can cut it out. Now.”

John laughed. “I was kidding around. Someone is defensive.”

“I’m not defensive. I’m just…you’re talking about things you don’t understand. So, it’s better if you keep your nose out of it.”

“Okay, okay. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you,” he said, reaching for her arm to stop her from walking away. “I was seriously just messing around.”

“Fine.”

“Are you excited for Chyna?” he asked, hitting on a topic he knew she would gush about.

“Of course I am! I can’t believe this is all happening for her.”

“Adam told me that you are the maid of honor.”

“That’s right,” Lexi said. As if there were another choice.

“Sounds like I get to walk you down the aisle then.”

“Oh,” she said, letting the words sink in. “You’re the best man.”

That should have been obvious, too, but for some reason, it hadn’t been.

“That’s right.”

“Just throw a better bachelor party for Adam than the last one I went to,” she said.

She saw the comment had thrown him off guard, and it made her smile.

“You’ve…been to a bachelor party?”

“And I thought you knew everything about me,” she said with a wink before turning and walking away. Let him mull over that one.

By the time she made it back to Ramsey’s side, his father had launched into a congratulatory speech, thanking everyone for being in attendance and for their dedication to the company.

It always came back to that.

Ramsey slung an arm around Lexi’s shoulders and smiled down at her lovingly. She caught Parker staring up at him, but when she noticed Lexi looking, she turned away abruptly. If Lexi weren’t so suspicious, it would almost make her feel bad for Parker…almost.

The speech concluded, and everyone applauded. Music filtered in through the speakers, and that was the signal for everyone to begin dancing. Ramsey handed her a drink, and she took a relaxing sip of it. This was how things were supposed to be—easy and relaxing.

Parker waved at her, but she didn’t come over and say hi. Instead, she turned and walked toward Bekah. Lexi didn’t blame her, and she was glad that Parker had gotten the hint.

“Dance with me?” Ramsey whispered.

Lexi nodded, setting her drink down on a table and falling into his arms. The music had a hip-hop beat, but they didn’t care as they swayed back and forth in each other’s arms. Lexi rested her head on Ramsey’s chest and closed her eyes, savoring the sweet smell of peppermint.

They stayed like that for three more dances before Ramsey was pulled away to discuss business with some associates who would be leaving soon. She remained at his side through the entire boring interaction though, and when he was finally able to walk away from them, he was carried into another conversation. They were swept around the room in a different kind of dance as they sought to accommodate all the guests who wanted his attention. The room started emptying out as the people who had to be into work the next day saw the hours ticking away. Ramsey said good-bye to one couple and then moved to say something to the person behind him, but he stopped dead in his tracks.