Curtain-raiser

That would explain why I don't remember him, even though there weren't more than a dozen people there: teachers, parents, and sponsors. The award ceremony took place the day before the seventh anniversary of my sister's death. I wasn't paying much attention to anything that week.

He frowns. "Your speech was very intense."

I stare at him, not sure if he's pulling my leg or not. That must have been the most horrid speech in history. I'd completely forgotten everything I'd prepared, so I started rambling wildly when my turn came. I can't remember one word I said, but I must have made an impression if he still remembers me.

"I'm James, by the way."

"I know. I mean... I've heard of you," I mumble, suddenly feeling very hot.

He seems completely unsurprised.

"I'm Serena McLewis."

"So, Serena..." he pronounces my name slowly as if the three syllables would hide some kind of secret he's hoping to uncover. My name in his mouth gives me goosebumps all over my arms. I hope he doesn't notice them. "Let me guess, you're a math major?"

"Nope. Economics and computer science."

"Perfect combination. I had the same." He winks. "I could use someone smart like you in my company."

Just my luck. Other girls get a free drink or a one-night stand. I get a job offer. Pity that's the last thing I want from him.

"Sorry, not interested," I say, hoping I don't sound too disappointed.

He leans forward, and his hand accidentally brushes mine. Gently, passing. But it's enough to send a torrent of shivers down my spine. Hot ones. Cold ones. Then hot ones again, and I fear I might have had one too many tequilas.

"And why is that?"

I try hard to come up with something, anything, but his warm breath on my cheeks wipes any thought other than the fact that his lips are far closer to me than they should be. His delicious scent—ocean, and musk—makes my task so much harder.

He takes pity on me and leans back, his smirk more pronounced than ever as he scans me from head to foot.

"Are you doing anything tomorrow?" he asks.

A burning sensation starts forming in my chest and I don't know if it's panic or excitement, but I try to play cool, the way Jess always said I should.

"Of course, it's Saturday."

"Can you get out of it?"

I sound braver than I feel when I answer, "Depends on what you have in mind."

"Where do you live?" he muses.

Normally, a stranger asking for my address would not elicit any reaction from me except running in the opposite direction, while seriously considering calling the police. On second thought, I might add a punch for good measure before bolting. Yet as I stand here before him, watching his eyes trace the contour of my lips, all I can think is that I'm sorry I haven't had one more tequila because then I might have enough courage to kiss him. As it is, I'll have to be content with giving him my address. I become conscious that I'm biting my lower lip and stop immediately. I lean over the bar and grab a napkin, then rummage in the tiny bag Jess lent me for a pen. I write my address on the napkin.

He glances at it once, picks it up, and tucks it in the pocket of his jeans. "I know where that is. I'll have someone pick you up tomorrow at three."

"To go where?"

"What fun would that be if I told you?" he teases.

"You want me to get in a car with a stranger and trust him to take me to someplace I don't know?"

He narrows his eyes. "Not very adventurous, are you?"

Ouch.

I would dismiss this as a poor attempt to provoke me if Jess wouldn't tell me the same thing at least twice a day. Someone else used to tell me that as well. I never thought he meant it until he announced that not only was he leaving me for the Aussie blonde but that he'd quit his job and was going backpacking with her through Europe and living life one day at a time.

I put on what I hope is a very pro-adventure smile. "How am I supposed to know how to dress if I don't know where I'm going?"

He bites his lip and leans in whispering, "I'll give you a hint. It's not a job interview."

"You don't even know me."

"I'd love to get to know you," he says in a raspy, seductive voice that sends delicious tingles all over my body.

For a wonderful, wonderful second, in which his blue eyes—a few shades darker than when I first noticed them—bore into mine, I think he might close the distance and kiss me.

But then he straightens up and frowns at something behind me. "I think your friend needs help."

I whirl around in a heartbeat and find Jess leaning on a tall, blond guy, her arms tight around his neck, something that usually makes guys pretty happy. Not this one. He's using both arms in his attempt to shake her off.

"See you tomorrow, Serena," James whispers in my ear, making the hair at the nape of my neck stand up. I don't need to turn to know he's gone. I remain on my seat for a few more seconds, breathing in the last lingering wisps of his scent, then shove the glasses to the bartender, smiling apologetically, and head straight toward Jess.

"I'll take this from here."

"Thank God," the guy says, his voice flooded with relief as I unhitch Jess's arms from his neck. He vanishes the second I free him.

"That went well," Jess giggles in my ear. And she has to hang from someone's neck tonight because she heaves her arms around mine so forcefully I'm positive I'll have giant bruises on both sides of my neck tomorrow.

"What are you talking about?" I say, trying hard to steer us both toward the door.

"You and hot guy. You really should work on your expression, though."

"What about my expression?"

She laughs. "You looked like you were ready to jump in bed with him."

"That's not true," I say indignantly, stopping mid-stride.

"Oh trust me, it is. And by the way, he's staring at us right now so keep moving if you don't want him to see me throwing up on you."

"Stop making so much noise," Jess complains, pulling the sheet over her head.

"It's not my fault you couldn't make it to your room last night," I say, continuing to search for something suitable to wear.