Sophie watched Megan’s smile turn genuine once again. Megan seemed relieved to find out they were enemies. She could see the obvious attraction Megan had for Ashton. The way her eyes lingered on him and the way her voice was slightly off when she spoke to him gave it away.

“You promised, Sophie.” Megan nudged her.

Sophie closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. “Of course.” She forced enthusiasm for Megan’s sake. She had promised Megan that she would go out with the girls for the night. She was starting to feel like this was a ploy to try to hook her up with Jack. Megan had made a few comments about how she thought Sophie would be a good match for her brother. Megan’s intentions were starting to unfold, and Sophie was starting to dread the evening to come. She would know better next time not to promise Megan something without getting all the details first.

“So were you two a couple or something?” Megan asked, looking between Ashton and Sophie.

“No, definitely not,” Sophie answered quickly, breaking into an awkward laugh. “God, no.” She quickly composed herself when she realized how rude she was beginning to sound. Clearing her throat, she tried to redeem herself. “It was never anything like that.”

Jack nudged Ashton’s arm. “I never thought I would see the day that a girl didn’t like Ashton. Well, at least not before he—”

“Hey now.” Ashton cut Jack off before he could finish his sentence.

“I can appreciate a woman who can see past Ashton’s pretty face.” The guy sitting on the other side of Jack smiled at Sophie. “I like you already.” It was the first time their friend had spoken up. He was pleasant to look at with an innocent boy next door look. He had neatly trimmed brown hair and friendly eyes.

“Tonight is going to be so much fun.” Megan smiled. “I need to get moving before I get in trouble.” Megan gave a small wave as she left their table.

Sophie wished she could be as optimistic about tonight as Megan, but when she looked up and caught the wicked glint in Ashton’s eyes, she knew she was doomed.

Chapter Three

Sophie didn’t have time to make or even shop for an appropriate outfit for the evening, not to mention the lack of funds she currently had. After raiding her closet and coming up short with inspiration the day before, she had asked Mel if she could borrow something.

What was I thinking? Sophie stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror of the restaurant, annoyed that she hadn’t bothered to try on the options Mel gave her before now. They both looked fine on the hanger, but now that she tried them on she realized she should have known better than to assume they would work.

Out of the two dresses, only one covered enough skin to make it appropriate for a public appearance and it was still pushing it. It hugged her every curve in a form-fitting style and was a little too revealing along the neckline for her ample chest. A knot formed in the pit of her stomach with the anticipation of the night to come.

Sophie ran her fingers through her hair, untangling her loose waves. She always had her hair up for work and class, and she couldn’t remember the last time she had worn it down. She hadn’t really paid attention to how long it was getting until now as it cascaded down her back in a dark curtain.

“Are you ready?” Megan walked in the bathroom. “Holy shit, Sophie!”

“I know. I borrowed it without trying it on first. Maybe I should just go home.” Sophie’s voice sounded deflated.

“What’s up?” Lori was on Megan’s heels. “Wow, Sophie. You look so hot.”

“I think my brother is going to die when he sees what you were hiding under your uniform,” Megan gushed.

“I wish you would have told me that was your plan. I don’t like being set up.” Sophie tried to keep her mood calm but the uneasy feeling was setting her on edge.

“But you would have said no,” Megan complained guiltily.

“Exactly.” Sophie glared at her.

“Just tonight. Please…I promise I won’t do it again.” Megan bit her lip innocently and batted her eyes. “Besides, he’s expecting you. You don’t want to crush his dreams, do you?”

Sophie rolled her eyes. “Fine.” She sighed. “But you owe me.”

“Yay! So what’s with you and Ashton, anyway? Did something happen between you two?” Megan asked nervously. Sophie knew the question was on Megan’s tongue since she had discovered they had history. She was surprised she waited this long to ask.

“No, nothing like that. It was more of a story of hate at first sight. His evil girlfriend made my life hell in school. My high school years pretty much consisted of hiding from the wrath of the great Ashton and Lucinda. It’s never a wise thing to make enemies with the most popular kids on the first day at a new school. It means certain doom for your social life.”

“Well, I can’t see him hating you tonight unless he’s gay.” Lori turned her lips down.

“Let’s go.” Megan pulled the door open, leading the way. “You made a great impression on Jack.” Megan said. “He thinks you’re lovely!”

The girls walked to the club only a few blocks away from their restaurant. The guys had already left. Sophie followed Megan and Lori past the long line that stretched down the street. Apparently they were regulars because the bouncer waved them through without a second thought.

The bar had an alluring interior with a modern, warm feel and a well-planned lighting scheme that gave the perfect atmosphere. The music throbbed, making excitement pulse through the bodies of all the partygoers reveling in the appeal of the moment. It was the perfect backdrop for people to forget what was happening beyond these walls.

“We have to take you out more often. You are a hot guy magnet!” Lori yelled, leaning into Sophie. Her voice barely registered over the music. Sophie only responded with a tense smile. It wasn’t long before they found the guys leaning against the bar ordering drinks.

“Hey, big brother!” Megan elbowed Jack and snatched his drink off the counter.

“Hey,” he complained, but a smile quickly followed. “Can I get you a drink, Sophie?”

“Um…yeah, sure.” Sophie tried to relax. She looked over at Ashton and immediately regretted it. His hot stare was zeroed in on her. She couldn’t stop the traitorous thought when it entered her mind of how gorgeous he looked leaning on the bar. He was tall and his shoulders filled his shirt beautifully. The thoughts caused anger to heat her face. She looked away quickly, hoping that ignoring him would be the best solution. I hate you. I hate you.

“What would you like?” Jack asked.

“Oh…” She didn’t really drink so she wasn’t even sure what her options were.

“Nothing hard. She looks like she’s a bit of a lightweight.” Ashton’s gaze wandered to her exposed chest. “Or maybe not.” Sophie had to stop the urge to cover her chest with her hands.

“I can hold my liquor just fine, thank you very much,” Sophie proclaimed and turned to Jack. “I’ll have what he’s having.” She pointed toward Ashton without looking at him. Her practical side, which she prided herself on, diminished in Ashton’s presence. Her turmoil of emotions seemed to cloud over common sense.

“Whiskey on the rocks?” Jack asked skeptically. “You sure you don’t want something more…”

“Girly, like a Long Island iced tea?” Lori suggested, holding hers up for Sophie to see.

“No, whiskey sounds good,” she insisted. Truth was that she had never tasted whiskey before and she hoped that she would be able to stomach it. She had tasted beer before and a few wines but she didn’t really have a taste for either of them so she usually opted out of drinking. The knot in her stomach twisted in warning that she was about to get in over her head, but seeing Ashton standing there with his judging eyes, she couldn’t stop her downward spiral.