PART TWENTY-TWO

*AJ*

I twirled my glass around in my hand with a dull movement and another sigh escaped my throat. Parties like these weren't really my thing, but unfortunately they were thrown quite often. It was nothing but a bunch of people I didn't know who sucked up to each other from every angle imaginable. Yes, always fun to see.

I played a little with my tie, which was already too tight around my neck to begin with, and leaned back in my chair as I scanned the crowd for the seventh time since we'd arrived.

There was only one person I wanted to see tonight. And she wasn't here.

"When did Nick say he was bringing the girls?" I asked Brian again who sat next to me at the table that was reserved for our party.

"J, you asked me that 5 minutes ago," Brian said with an amused twinkle in his eye. "He said it wouldn't be long."

"Could you be a little more specific?"

"I don't know," he shrugged. "10 minutes? I have no idea."

I sighed and looked over the crowd of people once again. Kevin and Kristin were out dancing and Howie was off talking to some colleagues he'd bumped into at the bar. Besides them, it was nothing but a few familiar faces among the sea of people.

"How much longer now?"

"Jeez AJ, who is it you're so anxious to see?" Brian chuckled softly.

"No one," I replied in another straight-faced lie. "I'd just like a few more people I know to be here, that's all."

"Well, you're welcome to call his cell if you're that curious."

"No need to. I was just wondering."

I finished out my beverage in one gulp and placed the glass back down, fiddling it back and forth in my hands for a few minutes. When Melody actually got here, what would I say? I already had a few things up my sleeve that could help me tell her the truth. All the stupid concealing had gone on long enough. It was time she found out, even though I could risk losing everything in the process. But then again, I didn't have much to lose anyway. Just my heart. And that kind of damage had been done before.

"I don't think you have to worry," Brian said and I looked back at him again. "I see a familiar face over by the bar."

I raised an eyebrow and turned my head to see who had arrived. At first I couldn't see anyone, just a bunch of men flocked around a young lady, trying to pick up a conversation with her. But my eyes nearly fell out of their sockets when I realized that the young lady was Melody.

"Oh my God," I whispered as my gaze traveled over her, wondering what could've happened to make her look like a dream come true. The dress she wore was a simple red one with only one strap attached to her right shoulder. It fell gracefully over her body, allowing me to finally see how much weight she'd lost, and softly caressed the floor at her high heels. Her hair had been highlighted with small blonde lines and was set like a conch in the back which allowed pieces of her front hair to fall into her eyes every once in a while.

"Dude, pick up your jaw from the floor before you start drooling."

I glared back at Brian who could barely control the wide grin on his face. "Funny, Brian," I remarked sarcastically. "If you'll excuse me for a minute."

"Anytime," he chuckled and leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed over his chest. His smug expression was annoying the hell outta me and I just huffed as I stood up and walked away.

I walked across the room to the bar where Melody stood with a few men around her, laughing at something one of them had said. I swallowed hard and almost considered turning around. Why would she wanna prefer me all over all these people? But I knew I had to try. If my plan was gonna work, I had to get her alone with me.

I finally reached her and tapped her shoulder lightly. She turned around, expectant at first, then flashed me a smile so gorgeous I had trouble remembering what to say. "Hey AJ," she greeted. "What's up?"

"Well, I ... I was wondering," I said softly and mentally kicked myself for being so out of breath. "I was wondering if you wanted to dance?"

"Sure," she smiled and placed her glass on the bar counter. "Lead the way."

For a moment I could barely comprehend that she'd accepted. Then I shook my head to get out my daze and smiled at her as we walked out on the dance floor and a new song began.

I've never seen you looking so lovely
As you did tonight
I've never seen you shine so bright
I've never seen so many men ask you
If you wanted to dance
Looking for a little romance
Given half the chance

I hesitantly wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her a little closer to me. She smiled, allowing me to do so and laced her arms together around my neck. I took the lead and smiled down at her as she hummed slightly along to the song.

And I've never seen that dress you're wearing
Or the highlights in your hair that catch your eyes
I have been blind

Lady in red - is dancing with me
Cheek to cheek - there's nobody here
It's just you and me - it's where I wanna be
But I hardly know - this beauty by my side
I'll never forget - the way you look tonight

How ironic, I thought and grinned crookedly.

"You look great tonight, AJ," Melody said as her eyes met mine again.

"So do you," I said, silently struggling to find the words. "You look so ... I never-"

Dammit, how could I explain it to her? Then I sighed, and grinned as I said gently, "You take my breath away tonight, miss Roberts."

She blushed, making her look even more wonderful. "Thank you," she said softly. "Leigh and Lorna did a good job."

"They made you look like this?" I asked and raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Yeah," she nodded. "They came over today and decided they wanted to do a makeover on me. They'd even bought the dress and everything. It was impossible to say no."

"I'm glad you didn't," I said softly.

"Yeah, so am I," she smiled and her grip around my neck tightened a little bit.

Never in my life had I wanted to kiss someone as badly as I wanted to kiss her right then. I swallowed hard and struggled to gather my composure.

I've never seen you looking so gorgeous
As you did tonight
I've never seen you shine so bright
You were amazing
I've never seen so many people wanna be there
By your side
And when you turned to me and smiled
It took my breath away

And I've never had such a feeling
Such a feeling of complete and utter love
As I do tonight

"I love this song," Melody said softly and broke the eyecontact we'd shared. "It's so simple and beautiful."

Just like you.

"I know what you mean," I smiled. "Just like I love dancing with you."

"Quit being so corny," she chuckled and shook her head.

"It's true though."

"I'm sure it is."

My smile faded a little and was replaced with a frown. "You're not still mad at me, are you?" I asked.

She looked back at me, surprised at first, then smiled and shook her head. "No," she said softly. "I don't know what came over me, AJ. I haven't really been myself lately."

"It's okay," I said and gently brushed a strand of hair away from her eyes. "I'm just glad it's in the past. I hate it when you're mad at me."

"It's only happened once, AJ."

"I know. It's not something I wanna see again."

She smiled softly and shook her head. "I doubt you will," she said as her fingers played with the back of my hair. God, this woman knew how to drive me right over the edge.

*Lorna*

"Would you look at that?" I smiled and pointed to AJ and Melody dancing closely and intimately together on the dance floor next to us.

"Wow," Nick said softly and looked back at me as his grip around my waist tightened a little. "Maybe they've actually opened their eyes a little."

"Let's hope so," I smiled as I took a quick glance at them again.

"Did I tell you how great you look tonight?"

I looked back at Nick, who smiled at me gently and my knees instantly began to wobble. "No," I smiled softly. "But it's always nice to hear."

I laced my arms around his neck as our dancing slowed down a little and our eyes locked. My heart seemed to have jumped up in my throat so I couldn't speak. Those big blue eyes of his always seemed to mesmerize me without any warning.

"Well, you do," he said softly, almost in a whisper. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you," I whispered in return and smiled softly. "You look great, too."

He smiled vaguely and brushed my cheek with the tip of his fingers, leaving a burning trail on my skin. Finally he leaned down and our lips met in a soft and gentle kiss. I tightened my grip around his neck and responded with everything I had left in me.

"Whoa," he grinned when he'd pulled away ever so slightly. "I can't believe I actually did that."

"I'm glad you did," I said and smiled softly.

"You are?"

"Of course."

"But I ... I didn't know you-"

"I just have one question," I said and gently pressed my index finger against his lips. "What took you so long?"

He simply smiled and kissed me again, this time more confidently. I closed my eyes as my entire world around me drifted away till there was nothing but him and me left.

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