I grin at her, cheeky shit. “I’m sure it’s as thrilling as yours.”

She winks at me, brushing a piece of long, dark hair from her eyes. “Oh, mine is totally thrilling. Spike’s a hoot when he’s drunk.”

“Where’d he go?”

“No idea. Outside for a smoke? He’s trying to ditch me. He’ll never learn. I am totally not going anywhere.”

I laugh. “You’re like the creepy stalker friend.”

“That’s me, baby. Anyway, I do have to go.”

I pout at her. “That sucks. I was going to have a drink with you after my shift.”

“Aw, well how about you come around tomorrow? We’ll have some drinks at Cade’s place.”

“Sounds good.”

She leans over the bar and gives me a quick hug, before turning and skipping out of the bar. That girl has far too much energy. I couldn’t keep up with her if I tried.

When she disappears out of the door, I turn and check the alcohol stock levels. We need a few more bottles so I yell out to Joe that I’m going to grab some.

I walk out back and down the hall, but I stop dead in my tracks when I see Spike standing and staring into the function room. He’s just standing there, his eyes fixed on something, his body rigid. I walk over slowly, curiosity burning. I step up quietly and peer in the room. My body freezes.

There’s a couple against the wall, kissing and touching. A man, with broad shoulders and long dark hair, is kissing a tiny blonde girl. His hand is cupping her breast, and her fingers are gliding up and down his backside. My eyes widen, and part of me feels so completely wrong standing here watching them. My fascination, however, is with Spike. He’s breathing deeply, and is so transfixed he doesn’t even realize I’m beside him yet. I know Spike likes to watch, but seeing the way his body is coming alive has mine doing the same thing. It’s erotic, watching him grow hot and hard. I feel tingles break out along my skin, and my pussy begins to throb. God, why am I finding this as much of a turn on as he is? Could it just be because he’s here?

“Jesus,” I mutter, when the man slides his fingers down the girl’s pants and she throws her head back, groaning.

Spike jerks and turns his gaze to me, but I keep my eyes on the couple. I know I shouldn’t be doing this, but damn, it’s doing things to my body that I’ve never felt before. I’m coming alive. My body is shuddering, my pussy becoming wet and ready, and my nipples are so hard they ache. Slowly, I turn my eyes to Spike, who’s watching me with a look I can’t quite put my finger on. Is that awe? Perhaps it’s even shock. Spike probably never thought something like this would arouse me. Heck, I never thought something like this would arouse me, but here I am, wishing he would take me up against this wall and fuck me so hard I stop breathing.

“You’re not turned off?” he says, his voice raspy and husky.

“Surprisingly, no. Quite the opposite actually,” I breathe.

“You changed.”

It’s a simple statement, but it’s completely true. Once upon a time, I would have found this completely wrong. Now, I can’t turn myself away.

“I guess I did.”

He makes a hissing sound when the man drops to his knees, lifting the girl’s foot and placing it on his shoulder. Then his face is in her pussy, tongue sliding over her clit. Shit. I need to walk away. Like, now. All this sexual tension makes me need to pee. Odd, I know but my lower half is in uproar right now.

“I need to relieve myself,” I whisper, turning away.

Spike turns to me, his expression completely shocked. It takes me a moment to realize what I said sounds very...well...wrong.

“No,” I laugh nervously. “I meant I need to pee.”

“Right,” he says, shaking the shock from his body.

As I go to turn, reality hits me hard. Spike and I just spoke without argument, and better, we found common ground. For a moment, just for a small moment, we weren’t tearing each other’s heads off. Deciding to risk it, I turn back to Spike and meet his heated gaze.

“Hey Spike?”

His eyes scan my face before he rasps, “Yeah?”

“Do you want to have a drink with me?”

His brows shoot up, and that shock returns to his face. For a moment he looks like he might not answer. I know he’s already had a fair bit to drink, and maybe that’s why it’s different, but he surprises me by saying, “Yeah, Tom Cat. That’ll be sweet.”

I nod at him, and then turn and walk to the toilets. Once I’m in, I lean against the door and take a deep, shaky breath. This could be it for us; this moment could be the one that changes everything. I can’t stuff it up. If anything, I want the chance to slowly recreate our friendship. We both deserve that much.

I quickly relieve myself, and give my face a wash before heading back out to the bar. Spike’s sitting at it, so I walk over and open a beer, handing it to him. He grins at me. It’s not a full grin, but it’s so god damned beautiful it takes my breath away.

“I’m just about finished,” I say. “Do you mind hanging for a few?”

Spike shakes his head. “Nah, all good.”

For a moment, that awkward silence just hangs around. I don’t really know what to talk about. What can I say that won’t start an argument? I can’t speak about my sister, I can’t speak about the club and I can’t speak about the past. Dammit, why do things always have to be so complicated? Why can’t we just have that easygoing, fun, light friendship we used to have? Maybe I’m trying too hard. Perhaps the trick is to just stop trying.