Sophie: Haha so funny. You’re the heartless one. Fine. I will go on this stupid date. But I’m not talking to you.

Ashton: I will be too busy with my date to notice you anyway.

Sophie shoved her phone back in her purse and finished her shift. The rest of the evening flew by, the dread of their double date growing. She watched time slip away until her last customer thanked her as they walked out of the restaurant. Ashton stayed at the bar, chatting with the employees as she worked. He didn’t acknowledge her for the rest of the shift and that was fine by her because she was fuming.

The four of them decided on a place not far from the restaurant. Sophie had never been there before but it was well-known, especially for late night crowds. It was a tavern-style bar, with a rustic wooden interior and lots of tables scattered throughout the interior. Groups of people sat and enjoyed the music and each other’s company. Sam and Megan mentioned that the nachos were amazing and recommended they order some for their table.

After Sophie’s shift had ended, she freshened up in the bathroom. She hadn’t brought a change of clothes but luckily she had worn a black dress that was appropriate for their destination. It was a fitted, cap sleeved design that was very simple except for three buttons that ran down from her neckline. She ran her fingers through her hair and applied some gloss to her lips. When she looked at her reflection she opted to undo the top two buttons, allowing the swell of her breasts to be exposed. Ashton said that he was going to ignore her but she wanted to make it hard for him.

Sitting in the tavern now, she was glad she did. She found Ashton’s eyes noticing her reveal. Megan was so enamored with Ashton she practically drooled on him, leaning as close as she could get without crawling into his lap. Sam sat nervously beside Sophie and slowly warmed up after a few drinks. Ashton pulled out his phone and a moment later hers buzzed in her purse. Sophie pulled it out and read what Ashton had sent.

Ashton: Do up your buttons before Sam gets the wrong idea.

Sophie: It was your idea for this date and maybe that’s what I’m going for. I want to find out what I have been missing.

Sophie was trying to be discreet as she typed her answer, continuing to chat with Sam after saying it was a message from her mother. When she hit send she saw Ashton glare over at her. He seemed angry, he didn’t even try to engage with Megan, who looked over at Sophie, trying to figure out what was behind the tension that was building between Sophie and Ashton. Ashton insisted on glaring daggers and Sophie ignored him, refusing to let her eyes settle on him.

Sophie focused all her attention on Sam, leaning in and touching his arm. When she moved to shift closer, she realized Ashton had put his foot up on the bench between her and Sam. Sophie tried to push it away but he was unmoving. He didn’t flinch as Sophie reached up his pants and pinched his leg. When Sam leaned in and told her he was having a wonderful time, the guilt surfaced. She was leading him on and it was completely unfair. She smiled and then excused herself to go to the washroom.

Sophie stood in the bathroom for a few minutes to clear her head before she opened the door to return to the table. She was surprised to come face to face with Ashton in the hall, leaning against the wall. It was just the two of them standing in the dark narrow hallway. He pushed himself off the wall.

“What?” she asked angrily. “Bored with your date already?”

“Don’t sleep with him,” Ashton ordered.

“It’s none of your business who I sleep with,” Sophie bit back. “Go back to your date. It was your idea to play matchmaker, after all.”

“I told her I didn’t want to be with her and she stormed out.” Ashton shrugged his shoulders. “Tell Sam to go home, you don’t want to be with that stiff.”

“You have no right to tell me what I should do.” She stepped forward and stabbed her finger against his solid chest. “If I want to bring him back to my apartment and show him what a good ‘dancer’ I am, that’s my business.”

“Fuck no.” Ashton grabbed her finger. “He can’t have you because I want you.” He stepped forward, pinning her against the wall. Looking down at her, he slipped his arm around her waist. Sophie didn’t resist. I want you too!

“Ashton!” She pressed against his chest with her hands, trying to force space between them. He refused as he steeled himself against her attempt to escape. He brought his lips down toward hers, only a breath away. “Tell me you want me to kiss you,” he whispered against her lips. Everywhere his body touched hers, a tingling heat spread through her. Her body acted of its own accord, arching toward him. Ashton’s hands ran up the length of her body before cupping her face. “Tell me to kiss you…please. I need this,” Ashton pleaded against her lips. The scent of him was intoxicating, causing her instincts to take over, clouding her mind. How can I say no when every cell in my body is screaming yes?

Her hands reached up and grabbed the hem of his shirt, her fingers gliding over the rippled flesh of his stomach, and he took a deep ragged breath in response. “Kiss me,” she whispered. The words were barely past her lips when he claimed her mouth, pressing his body into hers. His tongue explored her mouth like she was the most delicious thing he had tasted and she lost herself in the passion, returning the fervor.

“Wait…” Sophie pulled back, breathless. “Sam…I need to talk to Sam.”

“No need.” Sam’s voice was angry. He was standing at the entrance of the hall, staring at them with a mixture of anger and disappointment. Sophie had never seen him look so devastated.

“Sam!” Sophie pushed away from Ashton. “I’m sorry, Sam…I—”

“Don’t bother. I think we can call it a night.” Sam turned on his heel and stalked away.

“Sam!” Sophie started after him but Ashton grabbed her arm.

“Let him go.”

“But I hurt him.” Sophie let her shoulders drop.

“He’s a big boy, he’ll get over it. Besides, he’s not your type anyway.”

“And you know what my type is?” Sophie raised her brow at him.

“Yes…me.” Ashton reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear.

“You’re impossible.” Sophie shook her head and took off after Sam. She felt horrible for what she had done to him. She couldn’t leave things like they were. She walked quickly toward the exit and out onto the sidewalk. She saw him walking down the street and she ran after him. When she neared him she called out his name. “Sam! Please, let me talk to you.”

He kept walking and said nothing, only glancing back at her. Sophie could see the pain in his eyes. “I never meant to hurt you. I don’t know what’s going on between Ashton and me. I’ve known him for years and he’d always hated me…he caught me off guard.”

“He doesn’t hate you now,” Sam said in a clipped tone but his pace slowed and it gave Sophie some relief knowing he was willing to hear her out.

“That’s just it. He’s just playing with me and I’m stupid enough to fall into his trap…I just need you to know that I care for you, Sam, but I can’t give you what you need from me. I should never have agreed to come out tonight. I can’t leave things like this between us. I value our friendship.”

Sam stopped and turned toward her. “I need to know if we could ever be more than friends.” Sam looked at her, his eyes full of emotion.

“Sam.” Sophie took a deep breath before she continued. “I have thought about what it would be like to be with you. You’re a wonderful man, with so many good qualities. You deserve to be loved and you need to know that I could never give you that. It would be selfish for me to enter a relationship with you knowing that there’s nothing for me to give. I gave my heart to someone a long time ago and it was broken beyond repair. I learned the hard way that love isn’t for me. Please understand.” Sophie couldn’t believe the confession she made to Sam. It came directly from her heart and it was a truth she had buried deep.