As they walked into the noisy house, Ross guided them downstairs and handed Lucky and Kat red plastic cups with a cold red liquid inside. Kat clinked her cup against Lucky's and took a sip. Lucky looked into her cup, her browfurrowed.
"What is it?" Luckyasked.
"Hawaiian Punch and vodka. You'll love it. We make a huge batch for every party,"Rosssaid.
She took a sip, letting the cool liquid swirl down her throat. It was sweet, but had an edge to it she couldn't describe. Other than the occasional sips of wine with her parents, she neverdrank.
They followed Ross around the house as he said hello to everyone. In one room, a small group of people were sitting cross-legged on the floor and passing a bong around. In a room with bunk beds, a couple kissed on the top bunk while a few other people played avideogame.
Eventually they made their way through the dining room and out sliding glass doors to a large deck with lawn chairs. The smell of citronella candles filled the night air. Ross kicked a couple of people out of their seats so Kat and Lucky couldsitdown.
"Oooh Lucky, check out that hottie over there," Kat whispered beforegettingup.
"No, don't leave me alone," Lucky said as shegrabbedKat.
"You're not alone, Ross is here. I think helikesyou."
"You know whatImean."
Kat sat back down and Lucky breathed a sigh ofrelief.
"You're going to be a big star, Lucky Saldano," Ross said as he slipped his arm around hershoulders.
Lucky felt her cheeks turn hot as she looked down into her cup. She thought he was really cute and he smelled yummy, like the grape candy he kept popping into hismouth.
"So, what do you do?" sheasked.
"Oh, I'm still in school, but I really haven't thought much about what I'm going to do after college. This summer I've been chopping wood for this guy I know. Maybe I'll keepdoingthat."
Chopping wood?Afraid of sounding like an idiot, she kept it to herself, but she wondered if that was a real job or if he meant something she didn't understand. She smiled at him and got lost in his brown eyes for a moment. He moved closer to her and the grape scent grew stronger. Tilting his head to one side, she caught her breath thinking she was about to have her first real kiss. Just as his lips almost touched hers, shegiggled.
"What?" heasked.
"No, no, I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me." She looked down and forced herself to stop giggling then looked back into his eyes. "Okay, I'malrightnow."
He touched her cheek gently, stroking her skin with his thumb. Leaning in again, he almost touched her lips when she giggledagain.
"Really?"
"I'm sorry!" She couldn't stop the giggles this time, and they turned into full-blown laughter. "I can'thelpit!"
"It’s okay. You probably drank too much." He took her cup and saw it was still almost full and shrugged as he put it back on the small tablebesideher.
"What timeisit?"
"I guess around 2am. I don't wear awatch."
"We really should head back. We're heading to DC in themorning."
"But the night is still young. Come on,Lucky."
"No, really, we're leaving first thing and I'mtired."
"Alrightie then, I'll bring you guys to your hotel." He stood up and tookherhand.
Lucky grinned as she felt him squeezeherhand.
"Thanks for the fun night, Ross,"Luckysaid.
"Anytime. You owe me a kiss, you know, but I'm sure I'll see youagain."
Lucky rode the elevator up with Kat in silence. She knew she looked silly with her stupid grin but she couldn't help it, it was nice to get that kind of attention from a guy. She wasn't used to it. Ross was super cute, but she really didn't care if she saw him again. Something about him seemed a little flaky, and she couldn't help but think he only cared about Lucky the singer. He never even asked about herrealname.
