Soon we found ourselves mingling with everyone but my mother. In fact she was no where in sight. I'd begun hoping that just maybe she wouldn't show up. About the time Kellie and I got ready to sneak off I heard her shrill voice.

"Tyler, darling," my mother shrieked, "I'm so glad you could make it. I have someone I want you to meet. She's absolutely divine. Her father is a partner in one of the most prestigious law firms in D.C. And you two would make the most gorgeous babies."

"Mother," I grimaced, "It's would be so great not to see you."

"Melody, this is my son Tyler," my mother said, gesturing to the honey-haired debutante next to her, "Now why don't you two get to know each other better?"

"Mother," I said, pulling Kellie close to me, "I already have adate. Kellie meet my mother, Chanel."

"But you could do so much better than that urchin your father dragged out of the sewers," my mother said, "Do you really want to be a laughingstock like your father? You should hear the things people say about him. What was he thinking when he took on that as a charity case." She gave Kellie a dirty, disgusted look.

"Maybe because he actually cares about people," I said, unable to stay calm and keep my voice low, "Unlike you who only cares about shopping, gossip, and maintaining your position in society."

"Tyler that is no way to speak to me your mother," she replied, "I only want what is best for you. Besides, people will hear you."

"Excuse me, Mrs…" Kellie said, "What's your last names now? Is it Higgins or Welshly? Or something else entirely? Tyler told me about your string of ex husbands, more than Erica Kane I believe. Never mind. As I was about to say. I think Tyler can speak to you however he wants. You are the one who essentially kidnapped me and him, keeping us from our date. What would all these people think and say if they knew that the only time you see your son is at these parties where you have to lie and scheme to force him here to keep up appearances?"

"Why you little witch," my mother shrieked, "You're absolutely horrid. Tyler, I demand you and your father get rid of this thing immediately. I don't care what you have to pay this gold digger. Just get rid of her."

"I don't hate to break this to you," Kellie said, "I'm not a gold digger and I'm not that easy to get rid of."

The next thing I knew Kellie's lips were on mine. It fireworks, explosions, stars and everything else I had imagined. For a moment we both forgot where we were. Kellie back away.

"I'll meet you in the car," she said slyly and left. Everyone just watched stunned as the hurricane that was Kellie left the room.

For first time, I'd experienced not only damage her mouth could unleash with a few bullets but a glimpse of her ability to control and manipulate a situation. Of course these signs of what was to become of Kellie could only be understood once it was too late to undo the damage. I'd no idea how one dinner party could foretell the future so well.

As for my mother, she began trying to shove Mallory or whatever her name was in my face, acting as if nothing ever happened.

"Mother," I said, "Until you can apologize to Kellie for the way you treated her, we have nothing more to say to each other." I turned and left.

Kellie was waiting for me at the car, tossing the keys in her hands. The pseudo driver was passed out a few feet from the car.

"Dare I ask," I said.

"Self defense class and kickboxing," Kellie said, "I saved for weeks to afford it when I was in junior high. Do want to drive or should I?"

I took the keys from her. "I have this feeling if I let you drive, we'll get pulled over by the cops for speeding," I said. We got in the car and I drove her home.

When we arrived at the apartment complex, I walked her to her door.

"I had a great time," Kellie said, "As strange as that sounds. It was a exhilarating seeing the look on your mother's face."

"I promise you that on the next date my mother will be no where in sight," I said.

"I'll pick you up next time," Kellie said, "Then your mother can't dispose of the driver and kidnap us."

"It's a date then," I said, pulling her closer to me.

"I have to work tomorrow," Kellie said, "I should really go."

"Shh," I said, putting my finger against her lips.

Kellie looked directly into my eyes, trying to figure out my next move.

"I didn't expect a kiss on the first date," Kellie said, "At the party, I was doing it for show. I don't expect you to kiss me good night."

Kellie would have continued rambling had I not silenced her with the only weapon at my disposal.

I kissed her. And this time it didn't matter if we forgot where we were.