The classical music floating through the ballroom at the Hyatt suited the entire décor of the "small black tie affair" where people dressed in their finest were socializing. As soon as Lucas and Haley made their uncomfortable entrance, Stella openly greeted them.

"I'm so glad both of you made it." Stella gave Lucas a small handshake and a kiss on the cheek, and then proceeded to welcome Haley in the same manner.

"Thanks for inviting us," Lucas answered as Haley gave a small smile.

"No need to thank me. Now let me introduce you to a few of my friends." Stella seated them at one of the tables and introduced them to a small group of people whom they would be sitting with. Afterwards she continued to fulfill her hostess duties, circulating around the room, mingling with her other guests.

As soon as everyone arrived and were seated, waiters began serving the food. An assortment of delicious appetizers, courses and cocktails continued to be served. After a rich chocolate cake with ice cream on the side was consumed, the orchestra began playing. Haley and Lucas continued socializing with the other guests, hardly saying a few words to each other. The people at the table felt the tension between the two but kept their thoughts to themselves and the people next to them.

Haley watched as people began walking towards the dance floor, entranced by their gracefully moves. As silly as it might sound, she always wanted to dance that way ever since she saw people doing so in old movies.

Lucas eyed her curiously. She had a twinkle, dazed spark in her eyes as she kept them on the same spot. Willing himself to get up and ask her to dance, he was disappointed when he saw another person beat him to it. Berating himself for being too slow, he watched as Haley hesitantly walked onto the dance floor with the stranger.

As much as it pained him to watch her in the arms of another man, he couldn't look away, awestruck by what a great dancer she was. He had never known any that could demand attention with such liquid movements. Soon, Stella was by his side. "Stand up everyone. No one is allowed to sit down when you can all be having fun dancing." Everyone did as she said and moved towards the dance floor. Lucas stood on the sidelines, continuing to stare.

Haley felt his intense gaze on her. They were just too aware of each other, and that made her nervous. Avoiding looking up, too afraid that she would be unable to keep the promise she made to herself, to him, she looked at the person she was dancing with. He was handsome in that Shane West rugged way. Smiling at him, she continued to dance, hoping that the song would end soon. She wasn't in the mood to dance at the moment and regretted accepting his invitation.

But when her curiosity got the best of her, she scanned the area, seeing Lucas surrounding by a few ladies. They stared at him as if they wanted to eat him up. Lucas looked up and smiled at Haley, then refocused his attention back toward his admiring "fans." Huffing to herself, she continued to dance as the song ended.

"Do you mind it I cut in," the voice made Haley cringe inwardly.
Disappointed, the stranger complied, "Not at all. Thank you for the dance," before he moved away.

Nodding, Haley began to walk away from Kevin, but felt a hand on her waist. "Not so fast there. I think you owe me a dance."

"I don't owe you anything," Haley seethed, still trying to move away. She couldn't believe that Stella invited this jerk, although she should have known Kevin would be there. It seemed like everyone from his father's firm was there.

"But I think you do," tightening his grasp, he continued, "You owe me a dance. I've been told dancing is a type of foreplay for..." giving her a suggestive smirk.

Resisting the urge to slap the sadistic bastard, she clenched and unclenched her fists, seeing how she was unable to pull away from his strong hold. Not wanting to make a scene, she tried to think of how she could get out of this sticky situation.

The sound of someone clearing their throat caused Kevin to relinquish his grip on Haley.

"Sorry for interrupting, but do you mind Kevin if I take Haley away from you?"

"Not at all," defeated, he watched as Haley was lead away.
Overcome with pure joy, Haley smiled at her rescuer. "Did you need something?" she asked genuinely, not wanting to give any clues to how uncomfortable she actually was around Kevin because if anyone discovered what was really going on, the outcome could be devastating.

"Actually I wanted to have the photographer take a picture of you," Stella began, "and Lucas." Stopping in front of Lucas, she politely excused him from his company.

"Lucas dear, do you mind if I get a picture of you and Haley?" She continued before he could answer, signaling the photographer, "Thanks. I think a picture of the two of you dancing would be perfect."

Neither person moved causing Stella to encourage them, "Well, what are you two waiting for?"

Giving one another an understanding look, they moved towards one another. Wrapping one arm around her waist and intertwining his hand in hers, they swayed to the music as the photographer clicked away. Satisfied, Stella left the two alone.

Forgetting about the camera, neither could think about anything but their closeness and how right it felt being in one another's arm. Haley felt the sudden jump in her heartbeat, telling herself to relax, to not look away. She couldn't avoid him, and dancing around those ocean blue, penetrating eyes were simply rude.

"So Stella is quite a character isn't she," Haley stated, tired of their awkwardness around one another.

"She sure is," Lucas mused. "Very unique."

"And beautiful," Haley added.

Lucas didn't comment. He knew that whatever came out of his mouth, she wouldn't like it.

"I never got to thank you for finishing the slideshow. It was beyond great."

"No need to thank me. It was the least I can do." She was about to add to that, but decided against it, not wanting to bring up what they both would rather forget.

"I was thinking about what you said that night." Haley felt her heart skip a beat. "You were right."

Haley felt dizzy and weak. "Right about what." Not wanting to hear what she thought he meant, but at the same time, she needing to know for sure.

"That it's best to keep the relationship strictly professional."
He agreed with her wishes, but she felt as if her life was coming to a standstill. Her heart lurched. Suddenly she felt lost. Alone. She deprived herself the opportunity to experience true happiness with him, but she had no one to blame but herself. Why was it that you were always the last one to know? He was fighting for what he wanted while she was fighting...against it. But none of that mattered now. It was all in the recent past. She had to deal with her mixed emotions.

"I'm glad you finally see things my way," she answered, blinking back her tears.