The bathroom is packed, but that's really not unusual on a Saturday night. Girls fixing their hair and makeup, crying, yelling, and vomiting violently while their friends laugh and groan intermittently. Ruby leads me in front of an open mirror and starts nitpicking at her bangs. "So, about Loki."

I lean against the counter next to her and let my smile widen. "What about him?"

"Thanks for flirting with him in front of me right after he blew me off."

I frown. "I didn't flirt with him. If either of us were doing anything even remotely flirty it was him."

"Oh, please, you were literally inches from kissing him just now."

"Dude, I had no clue what I was doing!"

Ruby scoffs. "I'm sure. You always have to have a guy. That's why you're so damn good at your job."

I roll my eyes. The insult stings slightly, but it's not the first time I've heard it from Ruby. "Whatever. If you're going to act like that then I'm going back out to talk to Loki."

Ruby shrugs. "Then go. Happy birthday, bitch."

I push off of the counter and head out of the bathroom, back into deafening music and sweaty bodies. From where I stand I can see Loki still at his seat at the bar, and a half dozen girls a few feet away pointing and giggling. The anger Ruby ignited swells in my chest and down into my stomach. I've only known Loki for a few minutes, but I already feel protective of him.

In haste, I dodge across the dance floor and across the room to the bar, just as one girl from the group dispatches herself from her friends, her sights set on Loki. Now I'm pushing people out of my way to get back to him. The girl catches sight of me and speeds up. I match her pace, but she's already so close. She may beat me.

I stop in my tracks. What does it matter? I pointed out earlier that he was flirting with me. And Ruby was very open and ready to talk to him, but aside from greeting her, he basically ignored her. He wanted to talk to me. Out of every girl in this building I caught his eye. He came to me. I have nothing to fear. Might as well take my time.

It's actually kind of fun to just stroll back and watch the girl try to flirt with Loki. He's polite, of course, but not to the same extent and he was to Ruby and me.

When I get back to my stool, the girl is giggling like a little school girl, and Loki smiles that smile. Then he notices me a few feet from him and his smile widens even more. I return it warmly and retake my seat. A fresh drink sits in place of the old one.

Loki says goodbye to the girl and turns his attention on me. "That was quick."

"Ruby wanted to speak to me."

"About anything important?"

Just you. "Not really?"

Loki's quiet for a moment. "Are you sure? Because Ruby seemed a little…" he trails off.

I look back at my drink and chew my lip. "Yeah… She was a little…"

"Did I cause any harm, Avery?"

I look at him instantly, eyes filled with concern. "No, no, of course not. Ruby's just-"

Ruby appears on Loki's other side, a pouty frown hampering her face. "Well, I'm afraid I'm off. It's getting late." I check my watch. It's only 11:30. We've been at the club less than an hour. "But I had to come say goodbye." She leans in and kisses Loki's cheek, tentatively biting her bottom lip when she pulls back. "Bye, Loki."

"Goodbye, Ruby."

Rue floats over to my chair and wraps an arm around me from behind, digging her nails subtly into my arm and making me grimace. "Happy Birthday, Avery." She digs her nails in deeper. She's had to have broken skin. "Love you," she continues with just a hint of venom.

She releases me, and I realize I was holding my breath the entire time she "embraced" me. I check my shoulder for blood, but find only four, purple, crescent-shaped marks in my shoulder. I glare daggers at Ruby as she collects her purse from the bartender. As she leaves, she turns and blows a kiss I'm not sure to which of us.

I turn back to my drink and angrily wrap my hands around it, hunching my shoulders over it.

A hand slides across my shoulder to the back of my neck. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Jealous."

"What?"

"She's just jealous."

"Of what?"

I'm quiet. I glance at him furtively, my face turning red. "You."

"I thought you said-"

"Well, not of you, but of how you're talking to me."

Loki's silent again. I look at him somewhat remorsefully. His eyes are soft, but he stares at nothing. His hands rest on the bar, locked with each other.

I feel bad. He obviously feels guilty now for what happened with Ruby, but it's really not him.

I pull the other Avery out – the one that flirts with anyone – and slide a hand down his forearm to his clasped hands. He looks up at me, a sly though half-hearted smile on his face. I lean in slightly, giving a small, warm, alluring grin. "Let's dance."

His smile grows to full size. "If that's what you wish."

"Trust me, I wish it."