It was one hell of a night for a storm--at least that's what they were all saying, but now as Antonio Lopez-Fitzgerald sat in solitude on the lonely pier, he realized that the darkness was perhaps the only place to find comfort on a night like this. Even now as he thought of the fool he'd become, his heart ached inside at the knowledge that all the time he'd love Sheridan and wanted to have a future with her, that her heart had never belonged to him. It was always Luis that she'd wanted--Luis that she'd loved and he'd just been the obstacle on their road to happily ever after. Even now as he thought about it, he'd wanted to kick himself for being so foolish--to think that he'd had a chance at winning her heart over. Maybe the world was right--maybe love was nothing more than a myth--a fairy tale that the world used to keep those hopes alive when the sad truth that there was nothing more around the corner.
Now as a sigh spilled over Antonio's lips, he wondered if he'd ever really find a way to get over what he'd believed he'd had in Sheridan. If only he'd picked up on the clues sooner, he frowned realizing that time and time again the truth about where her heart was had been in front of his face, yet he was blinded by love--blinded by what might've been. Though as he thought to the reality of the situation, there never was a what might've been as Sheridan's heart was never his. Looking to the stars above, he began to wonder if Harmony truly had a place for him anymore. While he had his family here, seeing Sheridan and Luis lost in their newlywed bliss was enough to tear him apart inside as a sigh spilled over his lips. If only things hadn't turned out the way they had…
"Quit feeling sorry for yourself," Antonio frowned letting his thoughts get the best of them as he lifted the frosted bottle he'd been holding up to his lips again taking a long, hard swig as the liquid burned going down his throat. It seemed that he'd wound up in this position all too often and as the alcohol burned through him, he realized that drinking wasn't going to make this situation any better. Now as he turned his attention to the bottle in hand, he chastised himself once again before tossing the bottle away, now vowing to find a way out of his misery somehow.
As Antonio rose from the shadows he'd buried himself in, he turned to the night ready to face whatever came his way as he had a lifetime of this to get adjusted to without Sheridan. Shaking his head as he vowed never to let love get the best of him again, Antonio headed away from the water ready to put the evening behind him when a sound erupted through the night breaking through his thoughts.
"Get your hands off of me," a woman shrieked as Antonio turned around to see a couple of figures masked behind the shadows of the night. He heard the woman cry out once again as her companion seemed to be ignoring her words.
Frowning as the situation began to unfold, Antonio marched forward knowing that he wouldn't be able to walk away doing nothing when the woman clearly needed some assistance. Standing taller, he approached the scene bracing himself for the situation at hand as he took in a slow breath, "Is there a problem here?"
The man before him released the woman as his gaze rose up towards Antonio as if contemplating the threat Antonio posed to the situation, "You'd be best suited to leave right about now. This doesn't concern you," the man warned.
"I'm afraid I can't do that," Antonio replied shaking his head as he looked to the dark haired woman before him, "Are you alright, maam?"
"I was before this jerk showed up," she answered sharply as she took a step away from the man beside her.
"I see," Antonio looked to the man once again, eyeing him carefully, "Perhaps it would be best if you took to leaving right about now."
The man opened his mouth as if to reply before stopping himself and turning to the woman once again, "This isn't over."
"Oh yes it is," she answered sharply as the man took off down the pier leaving her to the darkness with Antonio. She stood frozen for a moment before shaking her head discouraged, "Well this is just wonderful," she grumbled under her breath.
"Are you sure you're okay," Antonio questioned again wondering if the woman was even aware of his presence as she finally turned her eyes towards him.
"Do I look like I'm okay," she questioned with an air of sarcasm as she stepped out of the shadows revealing her face to him as Antonio took in a breath surprisingly taken by her beauty. While he was certain he'd planned on giving up on women all together, there was something about this woman in particular--something in the darkness of her brown eyes, in the way her hair gently blew with the breeze around her face caressing the soft contours of her skin.
"Actually…" Antonio began realizing he must've been staring as her eyes glanced up at his impatiently.
"You weren't really supposed to answer that one," she remarked offhandedly shaking her head at him, "and as much fun as this has been, I have to get going."
"So soon," he blurted out unable to believe the words had fallen from his lips as he reached out to her, "I mean are you alright? I saw you with that man before and you seemed upset…"
"I'm fine," she answered sharply, "though I'm not any closer to getting what I wanted out of that jerk."
"You mean you meant to come into contact with him," Antonio's eyes widened in surprise, "As in that meeting was on purpose?"
"Unfortunately," she nodded with a sigh, "I was hoping that in Harmony I might find a private investigator who might be worth the money I was paying him, but that jerk wasn't worth a dime…"
"A private investigator," Antonio repeated eyeing her curiously, "and just what is it exactly that you were seeking out a private investigator for if you don't mind me asking?"
"What are you," she gave him a brief perusal, "A cop?"
"No," he shrugged his shoulders, "Just curious. That's all."
"I see," she eyed him closely before speaking up again, "well, not that it's any of your business, but I was hoping to have someone help me with…" she stopped herself as she took a step away from him, "never mind. It doesn't matter anymore."
"Of course it matters," he reached out to her touching her arm briefly before withdrawing, "I mean if you need some kind of help, then maybe I can be of assistance."
"Unless you're a private investigator or you know a good place to get a drink in this town, then I'm afraid you won't be of any help to me," she sighed shaking her head as her dark hair pooled around her features.
"Well I'm afraid I'm not a private investigator, but I might be able to help you with that drink," he suggested flashing her a smile, "that is if you're interested."
"Hmm, that all depends," she gave him another perusal as the first hint of a smile touched over her lips.
"Oh?" he lifted a curious brow noting the expression on her face as a sudden warmth washed over him. Clearly he had to have had too much to drink as he'd never immediately reacted to a woman--not even when he'd found Sheridan the first time, but still there was just something about the lovely lady before him.
"That's right," she nodded simply.
"And what might it depend on?" he asked feeling a nervous rush pass through him as he realized that suddenly he never wanted to get a drink more than he did right now with this beauty before him. That in itself caused him to challenge his own firm notions about romance as he found himself growing more curious by the moment about what it was her terms were.
"On whether or not you're buying," she flashed him a bright smile as she tilted her head to look him over once again, "So what do you say? Care to buy me a drink?"
"With a smile like that," he extended his arm out towards her surprised and delighted that she'd accepted as she curled her arm around his, "how can I refuse?"
"That's the beauty of it," she eased her arm around his as she stepped towards him, "You can't," she grinned allowing him to take her somewhere quiet for a drink as Antonio realized his luck had taken a sudden shift for the better it would seem.
************
"So tell me," Antonio began stretching out on his side of the booth he and his lady companion settled into moments earlier, "what brings you to Harmony…other than looking for the perfect man that is," he winked over at her finding himself playfully flirtatious as her cheeks grew flushed with color.
"Honestly," she sipped her drink before leaning back a bit in her seat, "it's a rather complicated tale."
"And I'm just the kind of uncomplicated person to share it with," Antonio urged with a playful wink, "so lay it on me."
"Persistent aren't you," she hinted at a laugh as she circled the rim of her glass with her index finger, "Well truth be told, I'm looking for my sister."
"Your sister?" he repeated curiously, "Does she live in Harmony?"
"So I've been told," she sighed running her fingers through her dark hair, "though I've yet to find her."
"What's her name," he inquired watching the way her lips curled in a scowl as she breathed her words, "maybe I know her."
"I don't think so," she shook her head simply, "If you had, then you and I probably wouldn't be having this casual of a conversation with one another."
"Really, and why is that?" he lifted a curious brow.
"Because you would've thought I was her," she confessed with a hint of a smile and a shrug of her shoulders, "It's a common mistake that's made between us, but truth be told I'm nothing like her."
"Hmm, well in that case, I'd have to say I was fortunate to have found you this evening because I happen to think I'm in with good company," he replied a smile teasing over his handsome features as he leaned forward a bit taking in her chocolate eyes.
"Flattery now huh?" she lifted a curious brow as she leaned forward reciprocating the gesture he'd made, "You must be feeling hopeful about tonight."
"What can I say," he winked back at her, "I thought I was going to be miserable tonight, but suddenly here you are and things are looking up it would seem."
"So it would appear," she smiled at him brushing her finger tip against his in a brief, but lingering movement as a flood of laughter rushed through the small pub breaking through their moment of flirting.
"Oh Luis," a woman bellowed with laughter as Antonio's eyes darted immediately over to the happy couple over at the bar. Suddenly on edge, he shifted in his seat realizing he'd spoken too soon about the turn his night had taken.
"You know them," his companion questioned breaking through his thoughts as his eyes turned back to her once again.
Antonio nodded in confession, "That's my brother and my ex-wife."
"Your brother and your ex?" she repeated her eyes widening with surprise, "And I thought my life was complicated," she shook her head as she noted the way his gaze traveled back over towards the bar, "So how long have you two been apart?"
"Not long," he shrugged his shoulders trying to focus on the moment between them, "She and my brother are happy together."
"Somehow I get the feeling that their happiness was at your expense, huh," she stated watching him intently, "That always does pose as a problem, doesn't it?"
"Sheridan's happy now," Antonio blurted out trying to forget the way his heart had felt torn in two upon her leaving him to be with Luis, "that's all that matters."
"Hardly," his companion blurted out shaking her head at him, "You really expect me to believe that seeing them together makes you feel wonderful?"
"I didn't say that it made me feel wonderful, but I'm not going to cause them trouble either," Antonio explained simply turning his attention back to his companion once again.
"It looks like you don't have a choice in the matter as they seem to be coming over with trouble for you," she motioned to the duo as they'd spotted Antonio over at the table.
Now as Antonio's eyes fell upon Sheridan and Luis he felt his heart skip a beat as he realized that this would never be easy for him. Somehow this was going to be the hardest part, but as he took in a breath he prepared himself for the inevitable meeting between his brother and Sheridan.
"Antonio," Sheridan greeted him politely as her smile breezed through him reminding him of their time together, "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Sheridan," he forced a smile trying to ignore the awkward feeling inside of him as he greeted her, "I didn't think you'd be back in Harmony so soon."
"Luis and I had to cut the honeymoon short," she explained simply, "but now that we're home, we're hoping to get a few moments together before the real world sets in."
"I'm sure," Antonio's eyes cast over in his brother's direction as he fought to suppress the resentment he'd harbored still after the loss.
"Antonio," Luis nodded casually.
"Luis," Antonio offered feeling his fingers clench at the very sight of Sheridan and Luis so happy with one another. It brought back all the memories, all the feelings of foolishness, but before he could let his thoughts get the best of him, a voice broke through.
"Antonio," his companion spoke his name as she leaned forward reaching for his hand offering a light squeeze, "darling, aren't you going to introduce me?"
"I um…" Antonio began realizing he and his companion hadn't bothered with formalities in exchanging names, but now as she flashed him a flirty smile, he immediately wished he'd taken the liberty of asking her name.
"Oh don't be shy," she shook her head as a giggle spilled over her lips, "I mean honestly, we're all practically family it would seem," she turned her attention to Sheridan, "I'm Shelly. Shelly Lambert."
"It's a pleasure," Sheridan shook her hand politely.
"Likewise," Shelly nodded flashing Sheridan a bright smile, "and you must be Luis. Antonio has told me so much about you both."
"Has he," Luis offered a skeptic look.
"Indeed," Shelly nodded as she rose from the booth, "though I must confess, I didn't imagine we'd all be running into one another tonight, did you Antonio?"
"No I hadn't," Antonio answered wondering what his companion was up to as she extended her arm out towards him.
"You still owe me a dance, remember," she winked down at him before tossing her hair over her shoulder as she smiled back at Sheridan and Luis, "Antonio is such an amazing dancer and I'd just hate to let the moment pass us by when they're playing our song."
"Your song," Luis gave his brother a strange look, "Really?"
"That's right," Antonio nodded playing along as he rose from his side of the booth, "and I'd better get going to it, huh?"
"You bet you should," Shelly winked back at him, "but it was nice meeting the both of you."
Antonio followed Shelly's lead out into the center of the dance floor wondering what had inspired such a bold move on her part as she wrapped her arms around him smiling up at him as her fingers fanned over the center of his chest.
"Care to explain that one?" Antonio questioned a smile tapering off over his lips.
"I owed you one," she replied glancing over in the direction of Sheridan and Luis, "So now we're even."
"Is that how it works," he asked fighting the laughter building up inside of him as he spun her around on the dance floor.
"Well, we're almost even," she decided ceasing movement as she reached out to him drawing him in against her as she pressed her mouth against his in a surprising, passionate display.
Shelly's arms curled around his neck curling him in closer to her as her lips beckoned him into her tasting the sweetness of her kiss as Antonio couldn't held but reciprocate the gesture. He hugged her closer surprised at how easy it was to lose himself in this beautiful stranger's kiss, but still as the warmth of her flooded through his body bringing his every synapse to life again, he continued to squeeze her against him suddenly not wanting this moment to end. He'd wanted to share this perfect, savory kiss forever, but as Shelly pulled back breathless he saw the spark of playfulness behind her eyes as a smile curled over her features.
"Now we're even," she whispered throwing her arms around him as she motioned towards where Sheridan and Luis were standing both watching with surprise evident in their features as Antonio hugged Shelly closer to him. Somehow what started out as an evening of misery had transpired into something more, and as he held Shelly dancing to the music with her, he wondered if perhaps fate had something more in store for him. Something that he'd never imagined before this moment in time.
Now as a sigh spilled over Antonio's lips, he wondered if he'd ever really find a way to get over what he'd believed he'd had in Sheridan. If only he'd picked up on the clues sooner, he frowned realizing that time and time again the truth about where her heart was had been in front of his face, yet he was blinded by love--blinded by what might've been. Though as he thought to the reality of the situation, there never was a what might've been as Sheridan's heart was never his. Looking to the stars above, he began to wonder if Harmony truly had a place for him anymore. While he had his family here, seeing Sheridan and Luis lost in their newlywed bliss was enough to tear him apart inside as a sigh spilled over his lips. If only things hadn't turned out the way they had…
"Quit feeling sorry for yourself," Antonio frowned letting his thoughts get the best of them as he lifted the frosted bottle he'd been holding up to his lips again taking a long, hard swig as the liquid burned going down his throat. It seemed that he'd wound up in this position all too often and as the alcohol burned through him, he realized that drinking wasn't going to make this situation any better. Now as he turned his attention to the bottle in hand, he chastised himself once again before tossing the bottle away, now vowing to find a way out of his misery somehow.
As Antonio rose from the shadows he'd buried himself in, he turned to the night ready to face whatever came his way as he had a lifetime of this to get adjusted to without Sheridan. Shaking his head as he vowed never to let love get the best of him again, Antonio headed away from the water ready to put the evening behind him when a sound erupted through the night breaking through his thoughts.
"Get your hands off of me," a woman shrieked as Antonio turned around to see a couple of figures masked behind the shadows of the night. He heard the woman cry out once again as her companion seemed to be ignoring her words.
Frowning as the situation began to unfold, Antonio marched forward knowing that he wouldn't be able to walk away doing nothing when the woman clearly needed some assistance. Standing taller, he approached the scene bracing himself for the situation at hand as he took in a slow breath, "Is there a problem here?"
The man before him released the woman as his gaze rose up towards Antonio as if contemplating the threat Antonio posed to the situation, "You'd be best suited to leave right about now. This doesn't concern you," the man warned.
"I'm afraid I can't do that," Antonio replied shaking his head as he looked to the dark haired woman before him, "Are you alright, maam?"
"I was before this jerk showed up," she answered sharply as she took a step away from the man beside her.
"I see," Antonio looked to the man once again, eyeing him carefully, "Perhaps it would be best if you took to leaving right about now."
The man opened his mouth as if to reply before stopping himself and turning to the woman once again, "This isn't over."
"Oh yes it is," she answered sharply as the man took off down the pier leaving her to the darkness with Antonio. She stood frozen for a moment before shaking her head discouraged, "Well this is just wonderful," she grumbled under her breath.
"Are you sure you're okay," Antonio questioned again wondering if the woman was even aware of his presence as she finally turned her eyes towards him.
"Do I look like I'm okay," she questioned with an air of sarcasm as she stepped out of the shadows revealing her face to him as Antonio took in a breath surprisingly taken by her beauty. While he was certain he'd planned on giving up on women all together, there was something about this woman in particular--something in the darkness of her brown eyes, in the way her hair gently blew with the breeze around her face caressing the soft contours of her skin.
"Actually…" Antonio began realizing he must've been staring as her eyes glanced up at his impatiently.
"You weren't really supposed to answer that one," she remarked offhandedly shaking her head at him, "and as much fun as this has been, I have to get going."
"So soon," he blurted out unable to believe the words had fallen from his lips as he reached out to her, "I mean are you alright? I saw you with that man before and you seemed upset…"
"I'm fine," she answered sharply, "though I'm not any closer to getting what I wanted out of that jerk."
"You mean you meant to come into contact with him," Antonio's eyes widened in surprise, "As in that meeting was on purpose?"
"Unfortunately," she nodded with a sigh, "I was hoping that in Harmony I might find a private investigator who might be worth the money I was paying him, but that jerk wasn't worth a dime…"
"A private investigator," Antonio repeated eyeing her curiously, "and just what is it exactly that you were seeking out a private investigator for if you don't mind me asking?"
"What are you," she gave him a brief perusal, "A cop?"
"No," he shrugged his shoulders, "Just curious. That's all."
"I see," she eyed him closely before speaking up again, "well, not that it's any of your business, but I was hoping to have someone help me with…" she stopped herself as she took a step away from him, "never mind. It doesn't matter anymore."
"Of course it matters," he reached out to her touching her arm briefly before withdrawing, "I mean if you need some kind of help, then maybe I can be of assistance."
"Unless you're a private investigator or you know a good place to get a drink in this town, then I'm afraid you won't be of any help to me," she sighed shaking her head as her dark hair pooled around her features.
"Well I'm afraid I'm not a private investigator, but I might be able to help you with that drink," he suggested flashing her a smile, "that is if you're interested."
"Hmm, that all depends," she gave him another perusal as the first hint of a smile touched over her lips.
"Oh?" he lifted a curious brow noting the expression on her face as a sudden warmth washed over him. Clearly he had to have had too much to drink as he'd never immediately reacted to a woman--not even when he'd found Sheridan the first time, but still there was just something about the lovely lady before him.
"That's right," she nodded simply.
"And what might it depend on?" he asked feeling a nervous rush pass through him as he realized that suddenly he never wanted to get a drink more than he did right now with this beauty before him. That in itself caused him to challenge his own firm notions about romance as he found himself growing more curious by the moment about what it was her terms were.
"On whether or not you're buying," she flashed him a bright smile as she tilted her head to look him over once again, "So what do you say? Care to buy me a drink?"
"With a smile like that," he extended his arm out towards her surprised and delighted that she'd accepted as she curled her arm around his, "how can I refuse?"
"That's the beauty of it," she eased her arm around his as she stepped towards him, "You can't," she grinned allowing him to take her somewhere quiet for a drink as Antonio realized his luck had taken a sudden shift for the better it would seem.
************
"So tell me," Antonio began stretching out on his side of the booth he and his lady companion settled into moments earlier, "what brings you to Harmony…other than looking for the perfect man that is," he winked over at her finding himself playfully flirtatious as her cheeks grew flushed with color.
"Honestly," she sipped her drink before leaning back a bit in her seat, "it's a rather complicated tale."
"And I'm just the kind of uncomplicated person to share it with," Antonio urged with a playful wink, "so lay it on me."
"Persistent aren't you," she hinted at a laugh as she circled the rim of her glass with her index finger, "Well truth be told, I'm looking for my sister."
"Your sister?" he repeated curiously, "Does she live in Harmony?"
"So I've been told," she sighed running her fingers through her dark hair, "though I've yet to find her."
"What's her name," he inquired watching the way her lips curled in a scowl as she breathed her words, "maybe I know her."
"I don't think so," she shook her head simply, "If you had, then you and I probably wouldn't be having this casual of a conversation with one another."
"Really, and why is that?" he lifted a curious brow.
"Because you would've thought I was her," she confessed with a hint of a smile and a shrug of her shoulders, "It's a common mistake that's made between us, but truth be told I'm nothing like her."
"Hmm, well in that case, I'd have to say I was fortunate to have found you this evening because I happen to think I'm in with good company," he replied a smile teasing over his handsome features as he leaned forward a bit taking in her chocolate eyes.
"Flattery now huh?" she lifted a curious brow as she leaned forward reciprocating the gesture he'd made, "You must be feeling hopeful about tonight."
"What can I say," he winked back at her, "I thought I was going to be miserable tonight, but suddenly here you are and things are looking up it would seem."
"So it would appear," she smiled at him brushing her finger tip against his in a brief, but lingering movement as a flood of laughter rushed through the small pub breaking through their moment of flirting.
"Oh Luis," a woman bellowed with laughter as Antonio's eyes darted immediately over to the happy couple over at the bar. Suddenly on edge, he shifted in his seat realizing he'd spoken too soon about the turn his night had taken.
"You know them," his companion questioned breaking through his thoughts as his eyes turned back to her once again.
Antonio nodded in confession, "That's my brother and my ex-wife."
"Your brother and your ex?" she repeated her eyes widening with surprise, "And I thought my life was complicated," she shook her head as she noted the way his gaze traveled back over towards the bar, "So how long have you two been apart?"
"Not long," he shrugged his shoulders trying to focus on the moment between them, "She and my brother are happy together."
"Somehow I get the feeling that their happiness was at your expense, huh," she stated watching him intently, "That always does pose as a problem, doesn't it?"
"Sheridan's happy now," Antonio blurted out trying to forget the way his heart had felt torn in two upon her leaving him to be with Luis, "that's all that matters."
"Hardly," his companion blurted out shaking her head at him, "You really expect me to believe that seeing them together makes you feel wonderful?"
"I didn't say that it made me feel wonderful, but I'm not going to cause them trouble either," Antonio explained simply turning his attention back to his companion once again.
"It looks like you don't have a choice in the matter as they seem to be coming over with trouble for you," she motioned to the duo as they'd spotted Antonio over at the table.
Now as Antonio's eyes fell upon Sheridan and Luis he felt his heart skip a beat as he realized that this would never be easy for him. Somehow this was going to be the hardest part, but as he took in a breath he prepared himself for the inevitable meeting between his brother and Sheridan.
"Antonio," Sheridan greeted him politely as her smile breezed through him reminding him of their time together, "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Sheridan," he forced a smile trying to ignore the awkward feeling inside of him as he greeted her, "I didn't think you'd be back in Harmony so soon."
"Luis and I had to cut the honeymoon short," she explained simply, "but now that we're home, we're hoping to get a few moments together before the real world sets in."
"I'm sure," Antonio's eyes cast over in his brother's direction as he fought to suppress the resentment he'd harbored still after the loss.
"Antonio," Luis nodded casually.
"Luis," Antonio offered feeling his fingers clench at the very sight of Sheridan and Luis so happy with one another. It brought back all the memories, all the feelings of foolishness, but before he could let his thoughts get the best of him, a voice broke through.
"Antonio," his companion spoke his name as she leaned forward reaching for his hand offering a light squeeze, "darling, aren't you going to introduce me?"
"I um…" Antonio began realizing he and his companion hadn't bothered with formalities in exchanging names, but now as she flashed him a flirty smile, he immediately wished he'd taken the liberty of asking her name.
"Oh don't be shy," she shook her head as a giggle spilled over her lips, "I mean honestly, we're all practically family it would seem," she turned her attention to Sheridan, "I'm Shelly. Shelly Lambert."
"It's a pleasure," Sheridan shook her hand politely.
"Likewise," Shelly nodded flashing Sheridan a bright smile, "and you must be Luis. Antonio has told me so much about you both."
"Has he," Luis offered a skeptic look.
"Indeed," Shelly nodded as she rose from the booth, "though I must confess, I didn't imagine we'd all be running into one another tonight, did you Antonio?"
"No I hadn't," Antonio answered wondering what his companion was up to as she extended her arm out towards him.
"You still owe me a dance, remember," she winked down at him before tossing her hair over her shoulder as she smiled back at Sheridan and Luis, "Antonio is such an amazing dancer and I'd just hate to let the moment pass us by when they're playing our song."
"Your song," Luis gave his brother a strange look, "Really?"
"That's right," Antonio nodded playing along as he rose from his side of the booth, "and I'd better get going to it, huh?"
"You bet you should," Shelly winked back at him, "but it was nice meeting the both of you."
Antonio followed Shelly's lead out into the center of the dance floor wondering what had inspired such a bold move on her part as she wrapped her arms around him smiling up at him as her fingers fanned over the center of his chest.
"Care to explain that one?" Antonio questioned a smile tapering off over his lips.
"I owed you one," she replied glancing over in the direction of Sheridan and Luis, "So now we're even."
"Is that how it works," he asked fighting the laughter building up inside of him as he spun her around on the dance floor.
"Well, we're almost even," she decided ceasing movement as she reached out to him drawing him in against her as she pressed her mouth against his in a surprising, passionate display.
Shelly's arms curled around his neck curling him in closer to her as her lips beckoned him into her tasting the sweetness of her kiss as Antonio couldn't held but reciprocate the gesture. He hugged her closer surprised at how easy it was to lose himself in this beautiful stranger's kiss, but still as the warmth of her flooded through his body bringing his every synapse to life again, he continued to squeeze her against him suddenly not wanting this moment to end. He'd wanted to share this perfect, savory kiss forever, but as Shelly pulled back breathless he saw the spark of playfulness behind her eyes as a smile curled over her features.
"Now we're even," she whispered throwing her arms around him as she motioned towards where Sheridan and Luis were standing both watching with surprise evident in their features as Antonio hugged Shelly closer to him. Somehow what started out as an evening of misery had transpired into something more, and as he held Shelly dancing to the music with her, he wondered if perhaps fate had something more in store for him. Something that he'd never imagined before this moment in time.