Since this was Jennifer’s last night here, they planned on going out to a club after. They slowed down on the beers once the concert started. After having to make a restroom run a couple times, they decided missing so much of the concert wasn’t worth it. The band was actually good.

Once at the club, however, they decided Jennifer deserved to have a good time and let her hair hang down without it turning into a disaster like New Year’s. They stuck to beer, but had plenty of it. The clubs in Spain were so different than the ones in the states. In the U.S. closing time was usually around one or two in the morning. It was just after midnight and things were just getting started. The bartender told them closing time was at six!

Eric had class in the morning. He wasn’t planning on pulling an all-nighter, but he still had a few hours in him. They danced and continued to drink, though Jennifer ordered water a few times in between beers.

Seeing the way guys eyeballed Jennifer reminded him of his trip to Cancun with Sofia. He’d been so relieved when she asked him to go with her. Not because he didn’t trust her, but at the time he’d been worried for her safety. Thinking back now, the way the guys had gawked at her at the bars even with him at her side, he couldn’t help but wonder if she might’ve given into her curiosity way back then, had he not been there. Her girlfriends sure as hell got crazy. Anger flooded him. He downed the rest of his beer and ordered another one.

They’d just handed it to him when Jennifer walked out of the restroom and headed toward him. A guy stepped in front of her, saying something that made her smile. It could’ve been the alcohol or maybe even the sudden hot rush of adrenaline he was feeling over thoughts of Sofia. Whatever it was, he started toward Jennifer with only one purpose. The second he reached her, he slid his arm around her waist pulling her closely to him and kissed her forehead. She smelled damned good.

“Everything okay?” He turned to the guy, who smirked, but shook his head.

“Everything’s cool. You’re girlfriend is stunning.” The guy lifted his beer toward Eric in a good natured gesture of peace.

Eric clinked his bottle against the guy’s and forced a smile. With that, the guy walked away. Jennifer turned to Eric but didn’t pull away from his embrace. “What was that about?”

He leaned his forehead against hers. “Just making sure everything was okay.”

“I didn’t look okay?”

She’d obviously had a mint in the ladies room, because her breath smelled of mint. Did her mouth taste like it, too? Curiosity.

They stood there without saying anything for what seemed like too long. With the music blaring around them and people still dancing on the tables and chairs, no one noticed them just standing there. He gulped when she licked her pink lips and stared at his. He was so close he could feel her warm breath against his lips. “Eric?”

“Hmm?” He closed his eyes, fighting with himself.

He should let go of her. Walk away. Another part disagreed. An eye for an eye. Sofie would have to understand.

“Are you gonna kiss me?” She whispered so close to his mouth he could almost taste her.

“You want me to?”

“Yes.” She said this into his mouth.

Eric licked her bottom lip, tasting the mint. She trembled in his arms. It immediately felt wrong. He hugged her, pulling his face away from hers. Instead, he kissed the side of her head.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered in her ear breathlessly. “Please, this time let me apologize. I shouldn’t have done that.”

She didn’t say anything, just took a deep breath. When she finally pulled away, she looked him in his eyes. “We should go.”

The cab ride back to her hotel room was a quiet one. Eric was so mad at himself. He’d been totally unfair to Jennifer, using her to get back at Sofia. How immature was he? Like that would’ve made things any better. She made him stop apologizing before they even got into the cab. When they reached her hotel, she turned to him and kissed him on the cheek. “It’s really nice to know there are still good guys out there. Don’t feel bad, Eric. You’ve given me hope.”

Eric smiled and kissed her hand. “You don’t need hope, Jenny. Any man would be lucky to have you. It was a pleasure spending time with you this week. I hope I do get to see you again some day. Have a safe trip.”

The second she was out of the cab and turned toward the hotel, he let his head fall back. He put his hand over his eyes. Could he be a bigger ass?

Before they even reached his dorm, thoughts of Jenny had already taken a distant second in his mind. He missed Sofia more than ever. Any chance of sleep tonight would be in vain. He plopped into bed, licking his lips. He could be making love to Jenny this very minute, but all he could think about was Sofia. Son of a bitch.

CHAPTER 18

Clarity

Sofia trudged into the drugstore. Few things were getting her out of the house these last couple of weeks. She needed conditioner for her hair, otherwise she might’ve stayed in bed, moping like she had for the past few weeks. She and Eric had never gone this long without any communication. Nothing could be clearer. He hated her.

The conditioner she normally used wasn’t on special. It hardly ever was. She stood there staring at the all the other choices.

“Hey, Sof.”

Sofia flinched, gasping when she saw him. “Brandon!” She glanced around. “Did you follow me again?”

“No, I was on my way out when I saw you pull in.”