Chapter 10:

"You look great," he told her, grabbing and kissing her hand in a very gentlemanly way. His eyes locked with hers, which almost sent shivers down her spine. His eyes were so hauntingly suggestive. Suggestive of friendship, fun, and .... maybe romance?

"Thank you," she blushed slightly. "You look very nice yourself." His tie was a bit off to the side, and she gently brought her fingers over to his chest, pushing the tie back into place.

Her eyes burned holes in his, as their eyes met for a few seconds.

"Thanks," he responded, grinning at her. He could almost detect a look of longing cross through her eyes. And for some reason he liked it.

She smiled up at him.

"Do you wanna dance?" he asked, eyeing the dance floor behind her, which was quickly filling up with couples dancing.

"Yes," she whispered. He took her hand and they walked over to the dance floor.

A slow song came on, and Gwen could feel Hank's fingers around her waist. She put her arms around the base of his neck, liking how good she felt in his touch. Emotionally and physically.

He's an amazing dancer, she marveled to herself. He doesn't seem like it, but he's great.

She let him stroll her around the dance floor for a few more songs, before they decided to take a break.

"How about I get us something to drink?" he suggested. She nodded, and he walked away. She stood at a far corner of the spacious room, watching everyone and everything as she waited for him.

I'm not having such a bad time, she thought to herself. Although I thought I would. Heck, I haven't even see Ethan yet! She smiled inwardly.

"Well," came a voice etched in venom. "Looks like little Miss Hotchkiss was lying when she said she was getting over Ethan Crane. I think that she likes having someone dote on her. Someone to make Ethan jealous, eh honey?"

Gwen turned to stare calculatingly at Ivy Crane. "It's not like that." Her mouth protruded into a frown.

"Oh? So then what is it like? You have that young man all over you, and you don't expect anyone to notice or gossip?"

"I don't care about gossip," Gwen retaliated. "I care about Hank Bennett."

"Bennett?" Ivy gasped. "You mean -"

"Yes, Ivy," Gwen interrupted, leaning down to face the older woman eye to eye, "that is the Police Chief's younger brother. You know. Sam. The man you love."

"Whaaa?" Ivy struggled to say, because she knew Gwen was right. She didn't know that Gwen knew about her love for Sam. And she didn't expect her best friend's daughter to use that information against her. But she had to admit it - she was kind of proud to see Gwen standing up for herself. When Gwen was growing up, she had been like another daughter to Ivy, because their families were so close. It saddened her that Gwen would never really be a daughter in law to her now, but she still thought of her that way. "Fine, Gwen," Ivy responded, considering the matter closed. She turned around and strolled away in her wheelchair.

Hank returned a few seconds later. "Here you go," he said, handing her some champagne.

"Thank you," she replied.

"Gwen honey," came her mother's voice. She hastily advanced towards them. "The Cutlers have arrived. I want you to go introduce yourself to them."

"Mother, I'm kind of busy," she protested pointedly, nodding towards Hank.

"I'm sure he doesn't mind, do you?" Rebecca asked him, challenging the man with her eyes. She wanted to make sure he wouldn't say yes.

"No, I don't mind," Hank said reluctantly, smirking at Rebbecca in a rude way. He eyed Gwen, giving her an apologetic look. He could tell she didn't want to go and mingle with other rich families.

Gwen sighed, and angrily trudged behind her mother. Why does Mother always ruin everything? she wondered to herself, exasperated.

Hank stared at Gwen's retreating form. He took a sip of his champagne before feeling someone tap him on his shoulder.

"Hi there," Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald said innocently.

He turned around. "Ahh, Theresa," Hank nodded in a bored tone. He should have known that he would run into her tonight. The events between them at the Book Cafe came into focus in his mind.

"How about a dance?" she suggested. She extended her hand, hoping he'd take it.

He didn't answer her. "Where's Ethan?" he asked, instead.

"He's being grilled by his father and grandfather," Theresa said, exasperated. "Apparently their still mad that he's not with Gwen anymore."

"Oh," was all Hank could say.

"So the dance," Theresa continued impatiently.

Hank gave in. It couldn't hurt. Besides, it was better than standing by yourself, all alone.

Theresa draped her arms over Hank's neck, much in the same way Gwen had done a few minutes earlier. His hands were on her waist, but he kept her at a distance a bit further than the one he had with Gwen.

She looked up into his brown eyes. "You look great tonight," she marvelled.

"Thanks," he replied, not making much eye contact with her. He could tell that she wanted him to say the same so he relented. "So do you."

She smiled. "I've noticed that you and Gwen have been getting pretty close," she said.

"She's a good friend," Hank replied, emphasizing on the word friend. He knew that she could be more than just a friend, but what was it to Theresa?

Theresa got a thoughtful look in her eyes, as if she was taking a trip down memory lane.

"Do you remember my first junior high dance?" she asked, chuckling. "I didn't have a date, and Luis had to practically beg you to take me. You - the big man on campus. But you ended up doing it. This moment reminds me of that night."

Hank began to feel uncomfortable. Theresa was being just a bit too pushy. He never liked that trait in a woman. He fidgeted as they continued dancing.

"Hank, I have to tell you something," Theresa said a few seconds later.

"What?" he asked, looking into her eyes.

"Last week when you, Ethan and I had that discussion at the Book Cafe, and how you came so close to me, like you wanted to kiss me, it just made me realize that maybe I don't love Ethan, that maybe I love you."

Hank stared at her, not sure what to say. He was aghast, yet interested. Not interested in Theresa, at least not romantically, but her words affected him nonetheless. But he was wondering how she could love him. They had never gone out, much less shared a kiss together......

"All I want to do is kiss you," Theresa whispered into his ear. "Will you let me?"

Before he could respond, he could feel Theresa's ruby red lips on his. For some reason deemed unfathomable by him, he didn't pull away. He didn't kiss her back, but tried to think things through as she kept on kissing him. He wanted to know how he was feeling as he was experiencing the kiss.

"Hank, I'm back," Gwen called. She came back to where they had been standing before, only to find him with Theresa in his arms a few feet away.

Gwen stared at Theresa and Hank in a mixture of horror, shock and anger. That bitch, she screamed out in her mind. First she takes Ethan, now she takes my chances with a guy I could have a relationship with.

He pulled away once he heard Gwen's voice.

{a/n: im liking this fic more and more lately. I hope u r too. R/r}