Well, I certainly hope I'm not scaring too many of you away with my reference to exploring some angst in this story. Trust me, it's not going to be continual, and I hope you can give it a chance to work through it. You won't be disappointed!

As for a sub-plot for Mark...well, hadn't thought about a romantic interest for him, but you never know!

Now, this chapter is a little shorter, enough to give Meredith's thoughts after the party. The next chapter will be longer...


Chapter Two - Who Was That Guy...?

Meredith kicked off the Louboutin sandals and dug her toes into the soft carpet of her bedroom blissfully. Damn shoes – perfect to look at, but oh so painful to walk in. The things we do for beauty, she mused, heading for the bathroom to fill the tub. Then she grinned to herself – and thank goodness for that, or she would be out of a job.

As the tub filled, she hummed softly, moving around the bedroom, putting away her outfit, and pulling her hair up into a knot on her head. She could see the light flashing on the phone beside her bed, but she ignored the messages for now. She didn't feel like talking to anyone right now – it had been a long evening, chatting with potential clients, and promoting her new makeup line. Now her eyes stung from the smoke, and all she wanted was a long bath and a good night's sleep.

From the bed, her cat, Stormy, watched lazily. Meredith rubbed the cat's head softly, listening to the comforting purr that emanated from the little animal. Meredith had rescued him from under a bush in her backyard during a particularly nasty rainstorm two years ago, hence the name. Bedraggled and scrawny, Stormy had made himself at home immediately, and had stayed ever since. The little cat was half Siamese, and half tabby – he had the inquisitive blue eyes and chocolate points of the Siamese breed, and the laid back attitude of the tabby. Laid back, except for her fiancé, Jack, that was. As soon as Jack would make an appearance, Stormy would hiss and leave the room, tail twitching in annoyance.

Wandering back into the bathroom, Meredith peered into the partly fogged mirror, rubbing the little bruises on her upper arms. She frowned, remembering how Jack had dug his fingers into her skin, when she told him she was planning to go the party without him tonight.

"You're working anyway," she pointed out, applying her makeup, as he sulked on the bed, watching her every move. Dressed in one of his designer suits that was tailored to fit his broad shoulders, he looked every inch the successful businessman that he was. Groomed, toned, impeccably dressed, he always exuded confidence.

"I just don't like it when you go out without me, Meredith," he said quietly, finishing his drink. He had stopped by her house before heading to his restaurant, and he was not happy about her decision to go out.

"This is work, just like you," Meredith replied, tried to quell his anger. "I'll be fine."

He came up behind her, his hands landing on her shoulders. "Just remember who you're engaged to, sweetheart," he murmured. "All those guys on the prowl, looking for someone to fuck. And you look so fuckable…" His mouth grazed her temple, his hands sliding down her arms. "You're mine, Meredith. Don't ever forget that." His fingers squeezed painfully into the soft skin of her arms, as he pulled her back against him, and leaned forward to catch her mouth in a searing kiss, his tongue thrusting in and claiming hers.

As soon as he released her, she twisted away, rubbing her arms. "Jack, that hurt…don't do that…"

"I'm sorry, honey," he apologized. "You know I'm just concerned about you. I would hate to think of some guy pawing you...things can get out of hand at these damn parties."

"Don't worry. I love you," she murmured, her eyes on the huge engagement ring he had given her the month before, on her birthday.

"I love you too sweetheart." His pale blue eyes swept over her, seeing his finger marks starting to show on the delicate skin. "Now, finish getting ready…."

Meredith sighed a little. Jack was a good man, truly he was. He was the owner of a successful restaurant, and he worked a lot of late hours, which is why she couldn't understand his pissy attitude earlier tonight. It happened from time to time that she had to go out like tonight - in this town parties were an important way to do business. She knew the messages on the phone would be from him – contrite, apologizing for hurting her, and promising not to do it again. It wasn't the first time it had happened, and he always followed up with apologies, and usually big bouquets of flowers.

She shut the water off, and sank under the fragrant bubbles, willing away the bad thoughts about her fiancé. "I know you don't like him, Stormy, but he's a good guy, really…" she murmured at the cat, as he joined her in the bathroom. He just tucked his paws under his chest, and looked at her with his wide blue eyes, as if unwilling to give his opinion on the subject.

Jack was a charmer, most of the time. They had met at a fundraiser last year, and she had been swept off her feet by the way he made it clear he was interested in her. He inundated her with bouquets of roses at the shop, late night dinners at his restaurant, and whirlwind trips to Paris or Monte Carlo at the drop of a hat. Everything he did was bold and calculated to impress, and she found herself drawn to him. He was different from any of the other men she had dated, and she tried to overlook his sharp temper that bubbled up from time to time. But sometimes it was difficult to do that, especially when it was directed at her. Meredith sighed. Once they were married, things would be different – marriage would mellow him out.

As she relaxed, her thoughts drifted back to the party, and she mentally reviewed some of the potential clients she had talked to. Along with her regulars, and the stars she had rubbed elbows with, there had been that guy. The one she almost spilled her wine on before she left. He'd looked sexy, with that hair and those eyes...hmmm...she always had a thing for guys with blue eyes...not that she was looking, mind you.

Leaning her head back against the edge of the tub, she conjured up his face again. There was something vaguely familiar about him, something she couldn't put her finger on. A commercial maybe? Some movie? There were a lot of hot guys in Hollywood, after all, and it wasn't unusual to find them at an industry party.

Then her phone started to ring again, and she sighed, refusing to budge out of the warmth of the bubble bath. She sank a little lower, ignoring the ringing, and the subsequent message that she could just make out.

"Meredith…are you there? Pick up…I'm so sorry for before, you know it's just because I love you that I get upset. You're my fiancée, after all." There was a short pause. "All right maybe you're in bed, I'll see you tomorrow. I love you...