Drew smiled just as big as Charlee wanted to. “I know we said we have to leave early.” Her best friend sounded almost as excited as she felt. “But we can stay as long as you want to.”

Just the thought of dancing with him again, being held against his body, and seeing that special something she’d seen in his eyes earlier had her insides going wild again. She had to get it together. Hector had walked in tonight with two girls for crying out loud: girls she was certain he’d already slept with and at the same time to make it worse. Now he was ignoring them to hang out with her. Next time, she could very well be the one being ignored. Those girls could deal with it, obviously, since they hadn’t left immediately like Charlee would’ve.

She knew all too well that even going into this knowing the type of guy she was dealing with, she’d be crushed just the same—absolutely, positively crushed. There was no way she could be dumb enough to let herself get caught up in something like this again. Oh, but she was. She could feel it already. And this was completely different from last year. She never felt the kind of intensity she felt from Hector. There was no comparison, and there was no way to describe it, but she felt something with him she knew she’d never felt before. This was truly a first for her. So why was she still so scared.

Drew touched her arm, leaning in again and whispering so Maurice or anyone around wouldn’t hear. “I see your brain working. Relax, okay? This is nothing like what you’re thinking. You may be the same person on the inside, but you’re completely different on the outside now.” She shrugged, giving Charlee a little smile. “So you dance with him again if he asks, and you enjoy the party. It doesn’t have to go any further than that. You can do this. It’s been long enough, Charlee. And remember my sixth sense about these things? I’m telling you this is not the same.”

Charlee nodded, smiling and feeling extremely grateful to have Drew. She’s the only one who really knew all about her fears. Drew had been there and lived through her worst nightmare with her.

“You wanna another drink?”

“No.” Charlee shook her head adamantly. “No more alcohol. I’d like at least a fighting chance of not doing or saying anything too stupid tonight. I’m already a wreck.”

“Don’t be.” Her best friend smiled reassuringly. “You’re doing fine.”

Drew glanced up in the direction where Hector had been standing with Noah and Abel, and the immediate change in her demeanor was enough to alarm Charlee. She didn’t want to be so obvious about it and jerk her head around like she was so tempted to. Whatever it was Drew had seen, had her feisty friend practically glaring now.

“What is it?” Charlee focused on the revolted look in Drew’s eyes to keep from turning around. It wasn’t that hard a temptation to fight anymore because she had a feeling what it could be.

“He’s dancing.”

Charlee swallowed hard, ignoring the plunging drop she just felt her stomach do. His dancing wasn’t a big deal. It was partly his party. But that look on Drew’s face said there was more to it. What did she expect? After everything she already knew, did she honestly think one dance with him was enough to get all stupidly excited about? She didn’t have to ask. She already knew the answer just by the look on Drew’s face, but she had to know, and she refused to look. “Is it Leticia, and can you please stop looking that way already?” The only consolation was the song playing was not a slow one.

Drew finally turned her glare away from him. “It’s both of them.”

Now Charlee couldn’t help but look. She turned just as his eyes looked up and met hers. The song was not a fast one, but it may as well have been a slow sensual one the way the two shameless bitches worked their bodies up against his. Noah and Gio were also on the dance floor, though each danced respectfully with only one girl, and neither of their girls was behaving as vile as Hector’s partners.

Unlike he had earlier, Hector didn’t stare. Instead, he glanced away quickly. He wasn’t dancing nearly as sensually as the girls were, but he did sway his hips to the music and was in no way protesting their bodies against his. Visions of that night in the parking lot came crashing down on her. How could she have been stupid enough to let a few gazes from him, one dance, and one moment, no matter how intense it was, block every fact she already knew about him? She could never deal with this. Ever. “Maybe we should get out of here early.”

She turned to see her friend’s repentant frown. “Whatever you want.”

Charlee knew what Drew was thinking. Her sixth sense had been wrong, and now she felt guilty about adding to Charlee’s premature excitement. But this wasn’t Drew fault. Charlee should’ve known better. Thankfully, it was a quick slip and early on. She’d never let on just what a letdown this really was because she’d begun to think she, too, had some kind of sixth sense. Obviously, she’d been completely wrong—again.

Pouting but then quickly replacing it with a smile, she tried her damnedest to shake it off. “There’s still ice cream at home, right?”

Drew’s smile was equally forced too, but Charlee appreciated the effort. “And wine coolers.”

“Ugh, I don’t think I want any more alcohol tonight, but I’ll take more ice cream.”

Waving at the guys from the chess team, Charlee, Drew, and Maurice made their way to the exit. Knowing Drew had used the ladies’ room not too long ago, Charlee took advantage when she saw the ladies’ room outside the banquet room to tell Drew and Maurice to go on without her. She remembered Drew saying Maurice would probably want to kiss her goodnight, and she wanted to give them a little privacy.