Diamonds Are Forever - Brooke St. James Page 0,22

tugged me along, and I followed him. I assumed we were going to the dance floor, since that was what he had just mentioned, but he went to our table. He went straight to his sister and stood behind her.

"Blake's doing great, thanks to Lucy," he said.

Michelle shifted, staring at me with a surprised expression "What? Really? Is he fine?"

"You just have to know how to look for lucky rocks and tell stories about skateboarding bears."

"Huh?" Michelle said.

But Drew was backing up already, and he was pulling me with him. "Nothing," he called, smiling. "Blake's good, though. He's happy."

"Thank you!" she said, waving at us.

Others at Drew's table noticed us going to the dance floor and came out there as well. We danced to a song called Shake Rattle and Roll, and then a slower one called Only the Lonely. Drew held me like it was a slow dance for that one. He led the entire time, moving me how he pleased, and leaving me no other choice but to be a good dancer.

It was fun being led by him. I just let myself be pulled along, and I got to take the credit for us looking good out there.

The lead singer talked to the crowd between songs. "All right, we have one more, and then we're going to take a minute and hear from the birthday boy," he said.

Everyone cheered. I glanced at Drew, who was standing next to me. We had broken apart when the band stopped playing. "I might slip out," I said, when they started up again.

Drew glanced over my shoulder, making a worried expression. "Hang on," he said. He stepped closer to me, leaning down. And one swift motion his face came closer and closer to mine, and the next thing I knew, his lips were on mine and he was kissing me. He did it twice, taking me into his arms as he kissed me gently. I forgot to breathe. I just went with it and kissed him back.

The band began playing a medium tempo song. It was groovy from the first few notes, and my encounter with Drew matched with the music in a way that made my blood run hot. His kiss was gentle, but it was scorching hot, and I felt breathless and boneless when he broke it.

Thankfully, he didn't let go of me. He held me close dancing, swaying.

"Thank you," he said close to my ear, holding me, dancing with me in his arms.

"You're welcome," I said after a few seconds of stunned silence. "Was she coming or something?"

"Yeah."

"I figured," I whispered, nodding and trying to get myself together.

"My dad will only talk for a few minutes," Drew said. "I'll drive you to your friend's house after that. Or back to get your car. I'll take you anywhere you want to go." Drew swayed to the rhythm as he spoke, leading me. He was so calm. How was he so calm?

"Yeah, that's fine," I said, nodding. I swayed with him to the rhythm. It was one of my favorite songs. It was called Time After Time, and it was originally sung by Cyndi Lauper. I had never heard a guy sing it, and he was doing an amazing job. I loved it. Maybe that was just because I was so out of it from that unexpected kiss.

But really, it wasn't that unexpected. I was supposed to be his girlfriend, after all. I rested my face against his shirt, feeling thankful for the ability to hide behind him while I was slightly vulnerable. The lead singer had a higher voice that went well with this song.

After my picture fades

And darkness has turned to gray,

Watching through windows,

You're wondering if I'm okay.

Secrets stolen from deep inside

The drum beats out of time…

The band performed the chorus two more times, and Drew held me and danced with me until the end. By the time we were done on the dance floor, I was physically different than when we went out there. I felt like I was a soda that had been shaken up and now I was weak in the knees and distracted, decarbonated, if you will.

Fake date, fake date, fake date.

You are on a fake date.

I smiled and stood up straight, and went to the job of being the girlfriend of the Senator's son.

Andrew Klein made a speech. In it, he mentioned Drew—how proud he was that Drew had finished law school and would be practicing soon. He talked about his wife and daughter,