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How many nights have I been lonely without you?
I tell myself how much I really don't care.
How many nights have I been thinking about you?
Wanting to hold you, but knowing you would not be there

They had arrived at the Ballroom fashionably late. He pulled into a spot and wordlessly got out of the car. He began to make his way to her side when the door opened and one slim leg appeared before him. He offered his hand and she took it as she slid out of the car.

"Thank you." She said as she stepped out. At that moment, he should have let her hand go. He had been polite as he helped her out and that was enough. But as he looked at her, he moved on pure instinct and weaved her arm through his with a smile.

She looked at her hand resting on his arm, then into his eyes. She blushed and looked down. They made their way to the doors together. She never pulled away. She showed no regret. As he opened the door and waved her in, she hesitated just a moment and ran her hands down her dress.

"Do I look alright?" she asked innocently.

He wanted to say, beautiful. He wanted to tell her how unbelievably sensuous she looked.
How he had only seen her this way in the fantasies he pushed out of his mind. They hated each other, everyone knew it.
How sometimes she crept into his dreams, so much taboo and he would wake up denying it all. She was just a kid and his boss' daughter.
How seeing her the next day would make him react in ways he should not. She never did any more than annoy him.
He always denied it, but at the moment with her staring at him expectantly, it was at the front of his mind.
He knew it still wasn't right.

"Fine." He said, "You look just fine."

And she smiled as she walked in.

The receiving line seemed to validate the idea that they came together. Everyone knew the position Velma put Corny in and where Link was. It was taken all "matter of fact". These two people who detested each other had no other choice. When they sat together and laughed, there would be no whispers in the studio. When they talked, it would be taken as required. They had a veil of excuse around them. It made him lose some of the guard he put up as his hand rested on her back, chit chatting with Mr. Spritzer. When it traveled down to rest below the soft mink, he felt her shiver. He shouldn't have liked it, but he did.

For some reason, she stood straighter and moved with more grace than he had ever seen. Maybe it was the satin that hugged her hips, maybe the height of her stilettos. No matter what it was, he found himself watching her as they walked away. Yeah, it wasn't right, but he did.

They found their place cards as they made their way through the sea of tables and he pulled out her chair next to Tammy. They were amongst friends, this wasn't going to be that hard. A couple hours of socializing and pleasantries were all that was required. As long as he could keep his mind where it should be, it would be over before he knew it.

"How about I get us something to drink?" he smiled at her. "7up?"

She looked to the bar, "Yes, please."

He didn't give a thought to what that drink could do to him. He sipped the Seven and Seven before he made it back to the table. Brad and Vicki's families joined them. There were pleasantries all the way around. And in fact, he was so busy talking that he hardly noticed when Amber's hand took his drink instead of her own. Twice. The third time he looked her way.

"Um, I think that's mine." He said as he delicately pried it from her fingers.

"Oh!" her eyes grew wide in mock surprise, "Is it?" She just glowed. He couldn't help but find it amusing. She giggled.

The buffet line grew and the wedding requirements began. The introductions with explosions of applause, the clinking of glasses for kiss after kiss, toasting with Dom Perignon (only the best, he thought) and the start of the band for the bridal dance. He hardly had to pay attention to her at all. Except when her knee brushed his under the table or she looked to him for a response to something she said, did he have to hold himself in check. He could glance at her and she paid him little mind. It was working out alright.

"May I have this dance?" he heard behind him and a masculine hand cut between the two of them. She looked to him but her view was obscured by Brad's extended palm. Was that disappointment he saw?

"Yes, of course." She said as she took it, stood and followed him to the floor. Before the first twirl, Corny downed the rest of that drink and headed to the bar for another. He glanced back to see her in Brad's arms. At that moment, he hated the kid for all he was worth.

o0o

Most of the guests were leaving. The Bride and Groom were gone. Spritzer and his wife had said their good-byes not long after. Corny looked at his watch. It was 9:15, he would have plenty of time to get her home before ten. He spied her talking to Tammy and Doreen by the door. Just a couple more minutes and she would be ready to leave the nearly empty hall. He leaned back in the chair as another banquet worker picked up the sugars. He closed his eyes. This evening would be something he should, but would not soon forget. He knew his subconscious wouldn't let him. As he looked at her Monday and every day from now, he would see her bathed in gold satin, her creamy shoulders peeking above the strapless bodice and every curve of her body. Just as she was tonight.

"Ladies and Gentlemen" he heard the bandleader announce, "It has been our pleasure to perform for you tonight. Good night, please drive carefully. We close with 'I Only Have Eyes for You'. Enjoy."

He felt a hand on his shoulder and he looked up at her, "May I have this dance?"

He shook his head and looked down.

She leaned down and whispered in his ear, "Please. You haven't danced all night, please." She took his hand and pulled him up before he could say anything more. It was only one dance, it would be short. She made her way through the tables and he scanned the room. Not a single person they knew was left. A wash of relief came over him. They would dance unnoticed then go home.

Her arm went around his waist as they stood among the few couples there. She smiled as she took his hand. His arm encircled her and they began to move, no actually they flowed. For all the times he had seen her dance with the boys, he had never realized how well she danced with a partner who was not scripted. She moved with him as if she were an extension of his body. He began to enjoy it. Whether it was the alcohol talking or the feeling of her in his arms, he looked down at her.

"You are beautiful, Amber." He whispered.

Her head fell onto his chest and he could feel her smile.

So there they were, in their own world. Away from the others, away from reality. At that moment it was just them. Everything else blurred away. And when she looked up at him with those blue eyes, skimming her hand down to embrace him totally, there was no strength left in him to hold himself back.

He leaned down and his lips brushed hers. It was only right, this night.

"This night you're mine. It's only you and I.
I'll tell you to forget yesterday
This night we are together."