Page 2 of Against the Odds

“Don’t worry about your friend, Kevin’s a good guy.”

“Sister,” I reply turning toward him with a tight smile.

Lips tilted to a smirk he nods his head in acknowledgment. “Yoursisteris safe with him. He’s a horrible flirt but I’d trust him with my life.”

“I just want her to have a good time. She hasn’t smiled like this in a while.”

It feels awkward to watch them flirting so I shift in my seat facing out toward the crowd. The dance floor is packed with people who move their bodies to the beat of the music. Couples are pushing the limits of intimacy and public decency, which makes sitting here next to a stranger a little uncomfortable.

Sorting through a mental Rolodex of small talk topics, I’m given a reprieve. “My name is Ian.”

My small hand with painted navy blue nails slips into his larger one, the warmth sending a shiver up my spine. “Katy.”

“Well Katy, should we get a drink?”

“You don’t have to sit with me.”

A crease forms between his eyebrows and his head tilts slightly. “Is that your way of saying you don’t need a refill?”

“What? Oh... no. I just didn’t want you to, ya know, miss out on working the room or whatever...”

Awesome, Katy. You’ve insulted the man and now can’t put a sentence together. At home I’m a put-together, fun person. Why, when in a city that encourages fun, am I so not?

Ian chuckles again before lifting his beer bottle to his mouth. I watch as he takes a pull and the liquid slides down his throat. It shouldn’t be sexy but for some reason it is and I feel a little flush. Shaking it off, I sip from my straw and clear my throat.

“I’m happy to sit here with you. Actually, I’d prefer getting out of here and going somewhere that doesn’t have a constant thumping in my gut. What’s with this music anyway? Personally, I prefer something with a lyric and more than one beat.”

A barking laugh bellows out of me and I instantly relax. Ian’s right. There are no lyrics. Only constant thumping as people grind against each other. The music and people-watching distract us both from more small talk. Boredom nips at me. I would much rather be seeking out some late-night dessert or cuddling up in bed with my book.

The thought of going back to our room leaves my mouth dry. I truly hope Marci and Autumn are on the mend, but the thought of the disarray the suite may be in has me wondering if an all-nighter is in my future. Bouncing over to the table with a smile on her face that to some may look serial-killer like, Rachel grabs my water and throws it back like it’s a tequila shooter.

“It’s hot in here!”

No kidding, sis. “It is,” I reply dryly, drawing a coughing laugh from Ian.

“Kev and I were thinking of getting out of here. Go for a walk or something.”

“We’re in,” Ian shouts as he slides out of the booth.

Kevin walks up, his arm settling on Rachel’s hip. With hearts in her eyes, she looks up at him. Like they’ve been dating for months and not strangers not even an hour ago, he places a kiss to her lips. I pause mid-scoot out of my seat and watch as my sister swoons. Literally. Her body melts a little where she stands and if I could hear, I know there would have been a breathy sigh.

“I vote we head over to the promenade across the street and find something sweet.”

Rachel is speaking my language.

“You’re sweet.”

And Kevin is cheesy. Rachel must like that because she grabs his neck and pulls him in for a kiss that is a little more NSFW than his quick peck. On that note, I slide from the booth and adjust my skirt.

Ian motions for the smooching couple to lead and we both fall in line behind them. The loudness of the music intensifies as we move across the room toward the exit. People seem to be unaware, or perhaps simply don’t care, that we are in their space. A body stumbles my direction and before I’m thrown to the ground, an arm slips around my waist and pulls me out of the path.

Warm breath tickles my neck. “Are you okay?”

My heart is racing but is it because I was almost run over or because Ian’s voice rumbles in my ear as his breath is like butterfly kisses to my skin? Again, I have no words and only nod. Stepping around me, he takes my hand and pulls me behind him as he maneuvers through the masses. The gesture is unexpected but not unwelcome especially since he’s a lot more forceful than I would ever be working his way through the crowd. I rush to keep up with his long strides and when we make it out of the club and into a hallway, I release a breath.

We stand quietly, allowing our senses to adjust to the brightness of the hotel and the decrease in thumping from the music. Ian still holds my hand and I don’t make a move to let go. I probably should, this could get awkward, but before I can do anything, he drops my hand and takes a step away from me. He seems embarrassed and sheepishly runs his hand down his face.

“Are you sure you’re okay? I thought for sure you were going down. He didn’t hit you or anything?”

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