Grace wandered out onto the balcony………Her body was immune to the blistering cold, as she marvelled at the beautiful sight of the city………dots of light scattered across the dark sky-scrapers; and she almost couldn't tell where the lights from apartments started, and the actual stars in the sky ended.

She breathed out, and suddenly realized the cold air surrounding her; as it kissed her lips bitterly.

She hugged herself tightly; she contemplated going back inside, to grab her coat; but as she thought about it, she was faced with one of three dilemmas:

# Running into Eli, and having to face his cold shoulder routine again.

# Running into Greg, and give into temptation- which would mean flirt madly (partly to make Eli jealous)

# Or having to talk to another guest- like the absolutely mind-numbingly boring music executive, who was in charge of advertising or something a rather…………..

She decided she'd deal with the cold!

But just as she hugged herself tighter, she heard the sliding door, which opened onto the balcony, open.

She turned around, and was met by Greg- sandy hair, piercing eyes………..good looking (and interested) Greg.

Seemed she didn't have to go inside in order to bump into him- he could deliberately bump into her on the balcony!

"Oh, Hey" she said quietly.

"Hello" he replied, walking over to her- she looked up at him, the dim lights from inside illuminating his strong featured face perfectly.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" he said- and Grace looked over the city, as Greg stared at it.

She suddenly remembered that she and Eli were leaving tomorrow………leaving all this, and going home…………as a couple?

"Mmm" she murmured in agreement.

"But, it doesn't quite compare" he added, still focussing on the mesmerizing city.

"To what?" Grace asked, stepping out of her thoughts and back into their conversation.

"To you're beauty" he said smoothly.

GRACE are you serious?………..If I wasn't so flattered, I'd be puking!

GREG I worked that line on a model once………she fell for it!

There was a long silence, while Grace ran his 'line' over in her mind again………."Mmmm" she muttered again, not summing up enough words to make a full sentence.

Greg turned to her- and slowly put his hand out, and brushed her cheek.

GRACE why are you brushing my cheek?

In a whirlwind, Greg bent down- and his lips collided with Grace's- she instantly felt his tongue poke in and out of her mouth.

GRACE I don't open that wide for the dentist!

She made a small squealing noise; but Greg didn't seem to notice.

GRACE and the whole time………even though it lasted about 2 seconds……….I was thinking………..he doesn't kiss like Eli.

Once Grace felt his hands wander up her stomach, and pass over her breasts- she grabbed them, and shoved them away- pulling apart hastily.

"How dare you!" She said bitterly- but controlled the volume of her voice, so as not to disturb the guests inside.

"What?" he asked innocently.

"What?" she repeated, amazed by how brainless he was!

"Did you fail to notice that I have a boyfriend………?" she waved her arms around, fury and frustration taking over.

"Well I thought……….." Greg began to stammer, but Grace cut in.

"You thought?" she repeated, "You thought that you could just KISS me?" – her words were sharp and angry.

Greg stepped away from her "whatever" he mumbled, fumbling towards the door, he stepped back inside.

GRACE not even a 'sorry for sticking my tongue down you're throat!'

Grace shook her head, and hugged herself tighter- the disgusting taste of beer and cigarettes still lingering unpleasantly on her lips.

GRACE definitely not Eli!