(the above dress but in navy blue)

"You look gorgeous!" Stella squeals and claps her hands. She stands behind me, having just given the finishing touches to my hair. She has curled it and pulled a part of it up in a beautiful twist at the back of my head. I'm wearing silver diamond earrings and a matching bracelet, but not a necklace as the neckline of my dress is showy enough.

I stand up and twirl around in front of my mirror, my heels the same blue as the dress. I do look good, if I say so myself.

"Thank you," I hug my friend.

"No problem," she smiles and gathers up her stuff. I would've gotten her an invitation to the ball but she is leaving to California in a few hours to spend the holidays with her family, Riley already having left to Ohio yesterday. At least Miranda would be there as Brett's plus one.

"Avery! Are you ready?" Nate yells from downstairs.

"Coming!" I shout back, grabbing my clutch bag and stuffing my phone, keys and wallet in it.

"Come on," Stella takes my free hand. "This beautiful masterpiece deserves a princess' entrance."

I shake my head amused, but follow her to the stairs. She scurries down the stairs before me and stops at the bottom, where Nate, Landon, and Sophie are standing. I can't see but their feet from up here. Stella throws out her hands and bows deeply.

"Her majesty, the beautiful, the enchanting, the ravishing princess Avery," she announces loudly and I giggle, descending the stairs slowly, afraid of tripping and landing in a messy heap at the bottom. Wouldn't be the first time.

My eyes go straight to Landon, unbelievably handsome in a fitted black tux. He's staring at me with his lips slightly parted, his gray eyes full of emotion. I feel a faint blush creeping up my cheeks at the expression on his face. From the corner of my eye, I notice Stella grinning, her eyes dating between me and Landon. Catching myself, I tear my gaze away from him and take in my brother, handsome as always, and Sophie at his side. She's wearing a pale pink strapless gown that flares out at the waist, complimenting her powdery skin. Her blonde hair is up in a delicate bun and a gold necklace rests against her collarbones. She smiles at me and I can't help but smile back.

"You look amazing," I compliment her, meaning it. She looks like an angel.

"Thanks," she hugs me, "but you're the queen of tonight. Absolutely gorgeous."

"Can't help but agree" Nate kisses my cheek. "You look like mom," he whispers in my ear, low enough that only I can hear. My heart warms but he moves away before I can say anything.

We start heading to the front door but Stella holds me back so that we're a few steps behind the others.

"You've got yourself an admirer," she smirks at me.

"What?" I look at her frowning, even though I have a pretty good guess what she's talking about. She rolls her eyes at me, as if reading my mind.

"He couldn't get his eyes off you," she winks, nodding at Landon's back. And what a well-sculpted back it is.

"Puh-lease," I say, thinking of all the one-night stands he's been having recently. "He looks at every girl like that."

She scoffs. "Yeah right. He looked at you like you're the most beautiful thing he's ever laid his eyes on."

What? He didn't. Did he? For some reason the thought sends pleasure coursing through my body. Stella just shakes her head and laughs. "I'm leaving now, but have fun!" She leads me outside and winks at me before disappearing into her car and driving off.

I climb into the backseat of Nate's car and come face to face with Landon. Neither of us know what to say, so we just awkwardly try to avoid looking at each other. It's hard, considering how good he looks. Stop thinking about how good he looks! I turn my head away, but can feel his eyes flickering to me every once in a while. Why did Nick have to break up with me before the ball? If he was here nothing would be awkward. Well, nothing would've happened between me and Landon, in the first place, but I also wouldn't be stuck in a car with a lovey-dovey couple and him... without a date.

It's a thirty minute drive to the Grand Hotel the event takes place in, a beautiful luxury castle. A valet takes Nate's car and we walk the stone steps up to the huge double doors standing open and show our invitations to the security guard dressed in a black suit. He takes our invitations and nods us inside.

We make our way through the enormous foyer to the hall on our right, where people are already mingling. A waiter holding a tray of champagne appears in front of us the moment we step in, and we each take a glass.

"The silent auction," I nod my head toward a long table surrounded by glamorously dressed women and dapper men. We make our way to the group, and scan the item list. I spot the picture and item description of the antique dresser we donated, and scan the items below it. A yacht, a trip for two to the Bahamas, a turquoise vase, an intricate vintage mirror. There are thirty items all in all.

"I think I'm going to bid on the trip" Nate takes the pen and writes down his name and the sum he offers. I take the pen from him and sign next to the mirror. It's quite beautiful, and it's for charity, after all.

"Should we try our luck at the tables?" Landon grins and waves his hand toward the casino games.

"We sure should" Nate smirks back and leads us to the tables. We all buy chips, Nate the most, and set about. I try my luck at blackjack, winning small, and then lose everything in craps.

"There you are!" a familiar voice says. I turn around and see aunt Melissa and Luke standing in front of me. Melissa is beautiful in her dark violet gown that hugs her slender figure, her brown hair twisted into an elaborate knot at her neck.

"Hi," I walk into her hug and smile at Luke. "This is all amazing," I praise, indicating everything around me. "You did a good job."

She smiles at me. "Thank you, honey. It was a lot of work, that's for sure. I don't know how Michelle did it year after year."

"Well, mom was kind of a superstar," I grin.

"She sure was" Luke agrees. "Where's Nate? I haven't seen him."

I look around, trying to spot him. "I don't know. The last I saw him he was winning big at poker."

"That's my boy," he smirks and heads for the poker tables.

"Where's Nick?" Melissa asks, looking around as if he was hiding behind me. Right, I haven't talked to my aunt for a few weeks.

"Uh, we kind of broke up."

Her eyes fill with sympathy. They're blue, the same shade as my mom's. "I'm so sorry, honey."

I nod. "It's fine. It wasn't going anywhere, anyway."

"Well, it's his loss," she takes my hand and starts guiding me to the round white tables looking at a dais. Dinner is about to be served. Our table sits eight; me, Landon, Nate, Sophie, Melissa, Luke, uncle Rick, and his girlfriend Emma. I can't help but notice Landon and I are the only ones without a date.

I spot Miranda and Brett a few tables from us, listening to Brett's dad, Philip, talk about something. Probably real estate, that being his favorite topic as far as I can remember. Miranda has left her shoulder-length hair down, the red curls striking against the emerald green of her dress. I catch her eye and lift my hand in a greeting, and she grins back, before turning her attention back to her future father-in-law.

After everyone has been seated, Melissa gets up and makes her way to the dais. She gives a speech, welcoming everybody and telling about the charity we're supporting tonight, as well as thanking everybody who has helped make this happen. After that we eat. It's a three-course menu, everything delicious. I especially love the chocolate cake with raspberry sauce that comes last.

Following dessert, Melissa gets up once again and announces the winners of the silent auction. Nate lost on the trip, but I have won the hand mirror, which will be delivered to me tomorrow.

Then it's time to move to the ballroom with a live orchestra. Nate takes Sophie's hand and skillfully dances her around the dance floor. Mom and dad taught us both how to dance when we were kids.

"See you" Miranda tells me as Brett takes her away. Melissa and Luke dance not so far from them, and even Rick has dared the floor with his date. I'm left alone with Landon. I look around the room, trying to spot a single guy I can ask to dance, but before I find one, a hand appears in front of me, palm up.

"May I?" Landon asks, offering me his hand. I look at it unsure, biting my lip.

"Uh..."

"I promise I won't make you look like a fool," he assures, a humorous glint in his eyes.

I blow out the breath I've been holding and place my hand on his. "Sure."

The music changes to a slow waltz as we near the center of the floor. I hesitate for a second. Does he even know how to waltz? He doesn't really seem like the type of guy. And I know for a fact this is the first ball he's ever attended.

"Come on, I won't bite," he says and after a moment I give him my right hand and place my left one on his shoulder as he puts his free hand on my back, pulling me closer. We're so close I swear he can hear my heart hammering against my chest. And then the starts to move. I look up at him in surprise, letting him lead me across the floor.

"Don't look so surprised," he grins.

"Sorry," I blush. "I just—"

"Didn't peg me for a dancer?" he finishes for me, brows raised.

"Not really," I answer, concentrating on my steps. I can usually breeze through a waltz but somehow he's making me nervous. I have a hard time concentrating on anything other than his body against mine, my hand on his. Gosh, I hope my hand's not sweaty.

"My mom taught me before she died," he tells me. I look up at him, startled. I've never heard him speak about his mother before. "She said every man should be able to spin a woman around the dance floor with grace."

"And she was right," I say. He smiles down at me, catching my breath. His eyes are like molten silver again, warm and full of emotion. He misses her, I realize. We have more in common than I've ever realized. "I would've liked to meet her."

"She would've liked you," he chuckles. "I think you'd remind her of herself. She was really stubborn, too."

"I'm not stubborn," I fake scowl at him, secretly pleased at his words.

He just grins at me. "Sure you're not."

I resist an eye roll. We dance for the next few minutes in silence, just listening to the music. I'm actually enjoying myself, as surprising as that is. He's so tall I can't see over his shoulder, so instead I fix my stare on his chest. I can feel his eyes on me, but I don't dare to look up.

"Avery?" he says, his voice almost a whisper. I can't help but look up then. His eyes catch mine and hold them as their prisoner. I can't look away. I can almost see the electricity surrounding us. He leans in closer, his lips brushing my ear. A shiver runs through me. "You look beautiful." His cool breath tickles my neck.

My heart skips a beat. My lips part but I've forgotten how to speak.

"My turn, buddy," Nate appears beside us and we spring apart. I feel suddenly cold without his body against mine.

Landon clears his throat. "Yeah, of course," he says and leads Sophie away. Nate takes my hand and starts spinning me around.

"I didn't know he can dance," he says, surprised at his friend's skills. I wonder how long he'd been watching us.

"Yeah, me either," I whisper, my body still recovering from the shock.

"So, how close were you two to strangling each other?" he asks, amused. If only he knew.

"Ha-ha," I slap his chest.

"Seriously though," he says, "it was nice of him to dance with you."

"Yeah," I agree, not really wanting to continue on the subject. He seems to catch that and he spins me around, ending the conversation.

I spend the rest of the evening alternating between small-talking with our parents' old business partners and other important people at attendance, and dancing with whoever asks me. It turns out I'm not the only person flying solo tonight.

I'm dancing with a fourth guy my age when I spot Landon standing by the wall, glowering. I frown at him over the shoulder of my partner. What's his problem? It's not like we're a thing. He has no right to be jealous, especially after all the girls he's slept with. I huff and lead the guy to the other end of the room, pulling him along as he's not the best of dancers. When the song ends, I thank him and quickly disperse before he can ask me for another dance.

I make my way to a waiter carrying champagne, taking a glass and almost bumping into someone when I turn around.

"Oh sor—" I start but my mouth goes dry when I recognize Landon's form towering over me. "Oh, it's you."

"Care for another dance?" he asks, his face set. I examine him for a moment.

"No thanks," I turn my back to him and try to escape. His fingers close around my forearm, gently.

"Please?"

"I don't feel like dancing anymore," I answer. And I don't want to be lectured about all the guys I've been dancing with. Nor do I need the complicated feelings his touch awakens in me.

"Then walk with me?" he asks, knowing I don't have a reason to decline, given that I'm without company at the moment. I give in and follow as he heads to the double doors leading to the garden. We walk the stone path, my eyes admiring the small fairy lights here and there among the evergreen bushes. I'm not surprised we're alone, considering it's winter. We don't talk, just walk side by side. I'm getting more nervous by the minute, wondering why he brought me here. It's cold, and since I'm only wearing a thin dress, I'm shivering in no time.

Finally he stops, out of sight of anyone looking out the windows. "Here," he takes off his jacket and puts it around me. I swallow, looking at anywhere but him. His fingers find my chin and he nudges my face up, forcing me to meet his eyes.

"What are you—?"

"I've been wanting to do this all night," he says and slowly lowers his head, my eyes shuttering closed in response. Anticipation coils in my stomach. Then his lips touch mine and set fire to my soul. It's a gentle kiss, way different from those shared in our kitchen. I can't help but kiss him back, loving the feel of his mouth moving against mine, the taste of champagne on his lips.

When he finally pulls up, we're both breathing heavily. He searches my eyes, as if looking for something. I don't know what it is he thinks he sees, but he seems satisfied. I come to my senses, then.

"We can't," I whisper, not able to look away from him. "Nate..."

"Nate would understand," he says, caressing my cheek, spreading fire across my skin.

"He'd understand you banging his little sister?" I raise a brow in disbelief. Isn't there some kind of bro code about these things, anyway?

"Well, when you put it like that..." he looks slightly uncomfortable. "But somehow, right now, I don't care."

"Well it doesn't matter, anyway, because I—" I have a hard time getting words out of my mouth. "I'm not ready."

His eyes darken. "If you're talking about Nick—"

"Of course I'm talking about Nick!" I flinch away from him. "We just broke up."

"It's not like you loved him," he mutters, scratching the back of his neck angrily.

"You don't know anything about me and Nick," I say, crossing my arms. Who the heck does he think he is, talking about my relationship like he'd know anything about it?

"Yeah?" his eyes are challenging.

"Yeah," I confirm. "Besides, it has nothing to do with this, us," I wave my hand between us. "I don't even like you like that. Like anything." Okay, that's a minor lie. I can't deny I'm not attracted to him. Obviously, I am. But not in a way that I'd want to date him. And this conversation just convinced me. We're always fighting. He gets me from hot to cold in seconds, always getting under my skin. We would be a match made in Hell. Not to mention he's my brother's  friend, for fuck's sake.

He snorts. "Yeah, that kiss didn't mean anything."

"It didn't," I snap, my voice shaking a little. He can tell I'm lying.

"You can't deny you didn't kiss me back."

"I..." I look around, trying to find something to say. "You're a good kisser. I got carried away. Doesn't mean it held some deeper meaning."

He raises his eyebrow skeptically.

"What do you even want?" I huff out, frustrated with this whole argument. "One moment you're sleeping with some random bimbo and the next you're kissing me."

He flinches as if I'd slapped him across the face.

"Didn't think I knew?"

"Been keeping tabs on me, have you?" he fires back.

I shake my head, gritting my teeth together. "Why are you so fucking frustrating? You say one thing and mean another."

"Yeah, because you don't do the very same