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Shit! The impromptu going away party. I'd been so wrapped up in worries about Georgia, packing and then distracted with Stefan that I'd forgotten about the get together Anna and Lukas were planning. Lukas had taken off in his red convertible, heading off to meet Anna to plan the last minute get together. I'd been hoping to say my goodbyes to Anna and Georgia separately and bypass a celebration, but once Lukas had planted the seed in Georgia's mind, there was no going back. Anna just took over the preparations and I just needed to show up.
Groaning loudly, I covered my eyes with my hands. "I know, I know. "
He leaned over the bed and pulled my hands away from my face. His blond hair fell across his forehead and his eyes sparkled teasingly. "Shower?"
Smiling despite myself, I nodded and sat up on the bed. Satisfied that I was right behind him, he turned and strutted towards the bathroom, six-feet-four inches of gorgeous perfection.
I couldn't help but admire the view. The muscles in his back moved as he walked, stretching and flexing. And that ass. . .
"Let's go get clean so we can get dirty again later. "
He spun to face me, shock etched on his face. I'd finally managed to surprise Stefan.
Jumping up from the bed, I breezed past him, winking at him over my shoulder. "Last one to the shower loses. "
"I do not think there is a loser if I get you in the shower," he said, speeding up to catch me and throw me over his shoulder.
He was right once again. Neither one of us was going to lose.
* * *
By the time Stefan and I made it downstairs after our failed attempt at getting clean in the shower, the unofficial party was under way. Lukas had some sort of Latin influenced music playing on the stereo and was busy behind the bar mixing drinks. Anna was perched on one of the stools, sipping away on a margarita, laughing loudly at something Lukas had said. Georgia stood beside them, uncharacteristically quiet. She fiddled with her dark hair and appeared to be uncomfortable. In other words, she was exhibiting very un-Georgia like behavior.
Glancing up at Stefan, I shot him a concerned look. He raised one of his blond eyebrows, and his mouth was set in a thin, straight line across his handsome face. "You need to talk to her and find out what she is thinking. "
"I know. I'm afraid of what I'll find out once I start talking to her. "
His large hand slipped to rest against the small of my back, leading me towards the small group. Managing to plaster a huge smile on my face, I approached Georgia first.
"Hey, Georgia. " I reached out and hugged her lightly, concerned when she stood unmoving and stiff, her arms hanging at her sides. I was relieved when she finally returned the hug and laughed lightly. "I'm glad you're here. "
"And miss your going away party?" Georgia asked, pulling away and patting my cheek with her manicured hand. Her smile was tight as her gaze flashed to Stefan. He was standing next to me, holding me close against his side. Her smile slowly faded as awareness swept over her face. I had purposely left my shields down tonight so I could monitor Georgia and her emotions were. . . odd. She wasn't frightened of Stefan, or even scared. Instead she was emoting smugness and resentment, yet had resigned herself to not cause any trouble. Unconsciously, she had recognized him for what he was, even though she didn't understand or have a name for it. She sensed he was something different. Not exactly human, but something peculiar.
As Stefan would say, interesting.
Anna made a beeline to me, with a drink in hand. She handed it to me and winked, her cheeks flushed. She swayed back and forth for a moment before she whispered loudly to me. "Drink this, Josie. Lukas is the best bartender ever. It's a shame he's gay because. . . "
"La la la. I don't want to hear it. " Plugging my ear with my free finger, I shook my head to clear my head of Anna's drunken c
hatter. I swallowed down half of my drink in one gulp as Stefan's handmade reappearance at my back and guided me towards Lukas. His ice blue eyes sparkled as I sat down at the small bar and watched me toy with the stem of my margarita glass.
"I'm glad you could join the party, Josie. It's for you after all," Lukas placed his hands on the bar and rested his weight on his forearms. "It must have been difficult to pull yourself away from the magic Stefan possesses. You know, his magic di. . . "
"Shut your mouth, Lukas!" I hissed, pointing a finger at him as a blush spread across my face.
"Don't shoot the messenger! Anna and I were just talking. " He waved his hands in surrender. "I've spent 175 years with him and I've found out more about him since you've been in the picture. Magic dick and all. "
"Lukas," Stefan muttered his name in warning. Lukas nodded and busied himself in cutting up a lime.
Anna had wasted no time in telling Lukas about our discussion today. Angrily, I glanced over my shoulder to glare at Anna. She was talking away to Georgia but felt my eyes watching her and glanced up. When she saw the expression on my face, she swallowed and diverted her eyes downward into her drink.
Sensing my annoyance, Stefan scooted my drink away and took me by the hand just as the music changed.
"Come dance with me. . . it is the merengue," he said, leaning to whisper in my ear.
"What is it with you and your obsession with dancing, Stefan? I don't know how to do this. " I tugged against him, attempting free myself of his grasp.
"I love to dance with you. Come. "
