Dee pulled open her apartment door and Sam eyebrows rose.

"Is it Halloween?" She raised a hand to shield her eyes from the sparkles emanating from the thigh high, glittering silver dress Dee had on. "Why do you look like a disco ball?"

Rather than be offended, Dee merely grinned and pulled Sam into a tastefully furnished living room.

"I look fabulous, don't I?" Dee shut the door and struck a pose, giving Sam a pouting look over her shoulder.

"Yeah, blindingly so." Sam replied, eyeing the outfit dubiously. She had to admit Dee somehow managed to pull off a look that would have made anyone else look ridiculous. "But please, don't tell me that's what you're wearing to The Monkey, now is it?"

The Monkey was the trendy bar where the girls usually hung out on weekends to catch up on drinks and gossip. The patrons liked to get dressed up for a visit to the bar, Dee's current outfit was sure to attract a lot of attention.

The sort of attention Sam didn't need. Not tonight, when all she wanted to do was to find a quiet corner, have a drink or two and pour out the entire story of Ryan's nefarious kiss to her best friend.

She needed to give vent to the mixed emotions that had plagued her all day. Following another pep talk on the way back to her floor, in the mercifully deserted elevator, she proceeded to bury those feelings under a mountain of paperwork and reviewing the failed Caine project, while jumping nervously every time someone knocked at her door, for fear of having to face Ryan again.

Her luck had turned for the better though, since he'd sensibly steered clear of the office for the day, leaving her to stew in a mess of hurt, worry and anger.

She needed her best friend tonight.

In that outfit however, they would be mobbed by guys trying to hit on Dee the minute they walked through the doors, and little chance of having a heart to heart talk amidst the salivating sea of testosterone.

So much for that.

"Nope." Her hopes lifted, only to be dashed by Dee's next words.

"But only because we're not going there tonight." Dee flashed a wide smile, the one she reserved for when she was about to make Sam do something ridiculous. "You remember my friend, Kim?"

"The model you used to work with? Yeah." Feeling her feet start to ache, Sam crossed to a bright blue sofa and sank down, toeing off the offending footwear. "What about her?"

"She's in town and hit me up. There's a new club opening tonight and we're going to check it out."

"Oh." Sam smiled to hide her disappointment. She'd been really looking forward to their girls' night out. Now, it seemed she would have to go home and endure a sleepless night thinking about the feel of Ryan's fingers on her thighs and...

She slammed the thought away.

"In that case, I'd better be heading home then," she told Dee, "Have fun tonight."

Dee glared at her, hands on hips. "What are you talking about? Don't you dare say you're planning to waste a Friday night staying indoors?"

"No, I was going to spend it getting wasted with my bestie." Sam shot back. "But since you're going with Kim, I may as well go home."

"We are getting wasted, doofus," Dee declared, chuckling at her friend's thickness. "You're coming with us. Besides, I need my bestie to play cock block to guys who don't understand the meaning of 'no'."

"Oh," Sam managed a sheepish grin. "Okay, that sounds fun. The club, not the cock block thing."

Not that she wouldn't do it. Dee had a presence that drew men to her like flies to a dead...umm...like bees to honey. Some were persistent enough to ignore her rebuffs and the fact that she was in a serious relationship, and in those cases, Sam intervened, usually playing the no filter friend who constantly announced embarrassing things about her friend.

Like the time she'd loudly reminded Dee about the surgery to remove hemorrhoids. The guy had taken off so fast, he'd nearly tripped.

Sam considered for a moment and looked down at her dress, adequate for a bar, but not so much a nightclub. And with Dee looking like a beacon, Sam's outfit was sadly lacking.

"Do I have time to go home and change? I'm not sure I should wear this."

Dee laughed and clapped her hands in delight. "Don't be a goose, you can wear something of mine. Go take a shower, while I pick something for you."

She bounded forward, filled with excited energy and grabbed Sam's hand leading the way to her bedroom.

Taking the speediest shower in history, Sam soon emerged, wrapped in a fluffy blue towel, to find Dee studying a half dozen outfits laid out on the bed.

"Which one do you like?" Her friend cocked her head at Sam, holding up a rose gold sequin midi dress in one hand, and a mint ruched mini dress in the other. "I'm liking the mint, cos I've got the perfect shoes to go with it."

Sam perched on the edge of the vanity seat and eyed the choices, patting her damp hair dry with a towel. "I like the black one."

Dee eyed the black dress, a simple halter neck and wrinkled her nose. "Too safe."

"Safe?" Sam repeated, chuckling at her friend's expression. "I like safe."

"Not tonight, babe." Dee tossed the mint dress on the bed and wagged a finger in admonishment.

"Tonight, you will dazzle and shine, hopefully meet a guy who gets your lady parts tingling and get laid. Seriously, there must be cobwebs down there, or an overgrown bush. Poor guy might need a cutlass to get through."

"Oy! I wax down there regularly."

Dee burst out laughing at her own joke, and after struggling to look affronted, Sam gave up and joined in, buoyed by the mental image Dee's word stirred up.

"I'm just saying," Dee wiped moisture from the corner of her eye, "When was the last time you indulged in something sinfully exciting? Two years ago?"

Sam felt her face heat. "Umm..."

Dee shot her a puzzled look, then her eyes widened.

"Sameera! What aren't you telling me? Did you have hot, sweaty sex and not tell your only bestie?" She gasped as an idea hit. "With Ryan?"

"It was just a kiss!" A hot, bone melting, panty drenching kiss, but who was checking that? "And he did it only because he wanted to prove a stupid point."

"Ryan kissed you?" Dee squealed, clasping her hands together in prayer and lifted her eyes upwards. "Finally! Oh, thank you, goddess. When? How? Where? Details, woman, spill now."

That was all the encouragement Sam needed. She poured out everything, while Dee sat, listening in open mouthed amazement.

"Wow!" She breathed, when Sam wound down. "I can't believe you two almost had angry sex in an elevator. I've always wanted to do that."

Sam felt heat flood her face. "We just kissed, Dee. And it was over it less than a minute."

"Yeah, but this is great news, right? At least, now you know he's hot for you."

Sam shook her head, the hurt she'd nursed all day coming back in full force. "Not really, he only kissed me to prove he can be a enormous asshole when he wants to be."

"Nonsense." Dee took on a scolding tone. "The guy wants you, Sam. Factor in that other encounter in his office when he almost did kiss you, and it proves my point."

Sam didn't agree, but before she could voice it, the doorbell rang. Dee started, and jumped up.

"That'll be Kim. She glanced at the clothes on the bed and picked up a burgundy mini dress, tossing it at Sam. "Wear this, I've got some brand new panties in that drawer, and I'll come help you with your hair and makeup."

She rushed out, while Sam stood, discarding the towel and dressed quickly, not wanting to keep Dee's friend waiting. High pitched laughter filtered in from the living room, followed by a blend of voices, and Sam guessed Kim hadn't come alone.

****

It was going on 10pm by the time the women arrived at the club. The place was in full swing, and it seemed as though the entire party going population of Manhattan had descended on The Sylph tonight.

Nevertheless, with an assurance that made Sam envious, Kimberly Choi and Dee cut a swath through the crowd, which parted for the breathtaking women, while Sam, and a pretty brunette Dee had introduced as Kim's best friend, Erin, trailed behind in their wake.

Dee's silver dress made her a glorious sight to behold, the material clinging in all the right places, showing off her figure. Beside her, Kim shone in a nude mesh dress, paired with a nude colored bodysuit underneath that set off curves to die for, and glowing complexion.

Never lacking in confidence, Sam knew she looked stunning as well; the dress Dee had chosen was a perfect fit, hugging her curves, showing enough cleavage. Her chestnut hair fell in soft waves, the result of Dee's skill with a curler. Yet, even she had to admit she didn't hold a candle to the dazzling duo.

She caught Erin's eye and the grin on the woman's face told Sam she shared her thoughts.

From their conversation on the ride over, Sam knew Erin was based in Chicago, where she'd recently moved to permanently to be with her boyfriend - The famous Ethan Lachlan of Holbourn Construction - and closer to her parents. She was a VP at her family's hotel, and co - CEO of a small company. Kim, on the other hand, had moved to New York recently, and was looking to partner with Dee on her upcoming lingerie line.

"They're something else, aren't they?" Erin said with a chuckle, her voice raised above the pounding beat.

"Yes, they are." Sam grinned. She already liked Erin, a woman who carried herself with a quiet confidence, and who despite her larger than life friend, was certainly not the type to quietly blend into the background.

Dee paused and looked back. "We're heading to the bar. You two, find us somewhere to sit. What'd you want to drink?"

"Pimms for me." Erin replied, already scanning the dim room for an available booth.

"Sidecar." Sam said. She spotted an empty table close to the bar and pointed it out to Erin. "Let's grab that before its taken."

Erin nodded and they pushed their way to the table. They snagged two extra seats from a nearby table, Sam dazzling the two guys who occupied the table with a smile, when they protested.

"Thanks." She said to one of them, a good looking man, whose eyes moved over her, alight with frank, male appreciation. His friend got up and wandered off in the general direction of the bar.

"No problem." He flashed a smile, displaying even, white teeth. He leaned towards them, interest apparent in his body language. "Waiting for the boyfriends?"

"Girlfriends." Sam replied, enjoying the attention. It felt nice to be admired openly, not blowing hot and cold like one annoying man in particular. This guy was quite handsome, and from what she could see of his body, seated though he was, looked really nice. Bonus points to him for holding her gaze, and not lingering on her boobs.

Despite her brain mentally trying to compare his looks to a certain someone, she squashed that effort. Tonight wasn't about Ryan - I'll kiss you to prove I'm a jerk - Silverton.

Beside her, Erin had pulled out her phone was busy texting, wearing a mischievous smile. She completely ignored the conversation, all attention fixed on whoever she was texting.

"Ah, then mind if I keep you company while you wait?" The guy's grin got wider, and he slid his chair closer to their table. He glanced at Erin and chuckled. "Looks like your friend's busy."

"Not at all," she shot him an inviting smile, which he seemed to eat up.

She turned to Erin, hoping she didn't mind as well.

"Erin, is it okay if -" she turned to him, eyebrow raised.

"Justin." He supplied, still grinning.

"Justin joins us?" Sam held his gaze, feeling warmth blossom in her belly.

"Hmm?" Erin raised her head and glanced distractedly at the two of them. She colored when she realized they were both looking her way.

"Sorry, just chatting with the boyfriend." She waved the hand holding phone and giggled when it buzzed an incoming text. She glanced at the screen, read the text and her face heated, eyes wide, mouth forming a surprised 'o'.

Sam watched, fascinated as Erin surreptitiously squirmed in her seat, looking like a woman who was majorly turned on.

A streak of envy passed through Sam. Once upon a time, that had been her, sexting with Zahir when he was away at college, enjoying the naughty messages and sexual innuendos in his texts.

God, she missed that. A lot.

Idly, she wondered if Ryan was the type to send raunchy messages to his lover. Not that she had any intention of being said lover - not anymore. Certainly not after the way he'd acted today.

Probably not the type anyway. She tried to picture him sexting and failed.

He was probably allergic to texts or calls, much like Yash, who always forgot to communicate with anyone, save Dee.

For all the remorse he'd tried to show in the elevator, the man had not even deigned to call or text an apology. If he'd been so torn up about the way he'd used her, he would have tried to make contact.

She shook off those melancholy thoughts, turning her attention back to blond guy, who was watching Erin's reaction. He noticed her gaze and looked at her, a smoldering heat in his eyes.

Just then, Dee and Kim arrived, a besotted looking serving boy trailing them with a tray full of their drinks.

"The bar is a crush!" Kim announced, her pleased grin at odds with her words. She directed the waiter to place the tray on the table, reached into her impressive cleavage to extract a fifty dollar note, which she slipped to him and blew a kiss.

The poor waiter wandered off, a dreamy smile on his face.

"This place is amazing!" Dee yelled, plopping herself on the empty seat beside Sam, grinning madly. She grabbed a drink off the tray, thrust it at Sam, and grabbed another for herself. "I think everyone in Manhattan's here tonight."

She didn't wait for a reply, merely caught her straw in between blood red lips and took a sip of her drink, her eyes wandering over the room, body swaying to the music. Then she caught sight of Justin and sat up straight, shooting Sam a wink and a knowing look.

"Hello," she leaned across Sam, holding out her hand, palm down. "I'm Dee, are you interested in Sam?"

"For god's sakes, Dee!" Sam elbowed her, an embarrassed flush staining her cheeks. "Stop it."

Fortunately, he had a sense of humor, as he merely grinned, took Dee's proffered hand and lifted it to his lips.

"Oh, definitely interested," he drawled, eyes dancing in delight. "Nice to meet you, Dee, I'm Justin."

Dee giggled and gave him her best impression of a regal nod of approval. "A gentleman. I like you, Justin. You have my permission to court my friend."

Sam laughed, amused at her antics. She turned to Justin, to find him staring at her, his heated gaze setting off butterflies in her stomach. "Don't mind my friend, please."

Justin leaned close, to murmur in her ear. "It's very nice to meet you, Sam."

Sam blushed, and reached for her drink.