Chance walked over to the mini bar in the corner and took out a beer. “Would you like anything?” he asked her.
“Probably just a soda,” she replied. “Unless you have something more interesting.”
“You’re not a drinker?” he asked and pulled a soda from the fridge.
“Not usually. Claire…” she began.
Chance’s ears pricked when he heard Claire’s name. “Claire?” he asked. “Is that your friend?”
“Yeah,” Amy sighed.
“So what’s her story?” he asked.
“What do you mean?” Amy asked.
“She didn’t want to come with you?”
“No, Claire’s got her own mind,” Amy said and walked over to the pool table. “How do you play?”
“It is complicated; you won’t learn overnight,” he told her. He wanted to get back to the subject of Claire, but he didn’t want it to look too obvious.
“Well, is there anything else we can do that I can be taught overnight?” she asked. She ran her tongue across her lips.
“That depends,” Chance said and set his beer down on the counter. “What would you like to learn?” He leaned against the wall, maintaining his distance.
“I don’t know. You tell me,” Amy said as she swished her hips provocatively as she walked toward him.
“So what do you want to learn?” he asked.
“What do you have to teach?” She could see the gleam in his eyes as he watched her. She touched the golden curls on his chest, which were peeking out of his shirt. She wet her lips and leaned in, but someone pushed the door open.
“Chance.” A man interrupted their discussion.
He looked at her and gave her a devilish grin before moving past her. Amy gritted her teeth and followed him. “What’s going on?” he asked his father.
“Most of the staff is gone for the day, and we need to make some room in here for our guests.”
“Sure,” he said and turned to Amy. “Would you like to help?”
Amy’s disappointment was pronounced as she sighed, “Sure.”
But there wasn’t much to do. In less than five minutes they had moved what little furniture was there and turned the room into an indoor camp site. Amy had just moved the last piece when she saw Claire walk past the door.
“Hey,” Amy called to her.
Claire stopped mid-stride and cocked her head. “Oh, there you are,” she said. She walked into the room, saw Chance, and froze.
“Where are you going?” Amy asked.
“Looking for you. Oh,” she said with shock.
“What?” Amy asked.
She looked from Amy to Chance. “Oooooh,” she said with a knowing smile.
“No,” Chance defended too quickly. “She was just helping me out.”
“I can see that,” Claire said. She folded her hands as she leaned against the door.
“I thought you were staying down there,” Amy said.
“I was, but then Mom decided she preferred a bed tonight, so here I am.” She nodded at Chance and then started to leave the room but he skipped across the room to reach her.
“Do I offend you in some way?” he asked.
“Why would you? I don’t even know you,” she replied.
“Exactly,” he said and folded his arms. “You don’t know me but you already hate me.”
“I don’t hate you, Chance,” she said. “I just don’t know you.”
Amy chose that moment to interrupt them. “I wonder where everyone else is. Let’s go.”
Claire didn’t move. Amy tugged on her hand and she followed her.
Chance ground his teeth as he watched them go. He would have her one way or the other. He watched her as she walked to her mother, and she and her friend sat down to chat. He saw other men looking at her, and he could completely understand why. She was different from everyone else, and devastatingly beautiful. He leaned against the beam, biting his nails and trying to concoct a plan to win her, even if it was only for a night.
***
On the other side of the room, Claire was looking at her mother oddly. “So?”
“What?” Willow asked and blushed.
“I saw you flirting with that man over there,” Claire said, nudging her.
“And what is so wrong with that?” she asked.
“Nothing. Just asking. So, what do you plan to do about him after tomorrow?”
“Who said I have to have plans after tomorrow? I’m just living for today. Maybe you should, too.”
“Way to go,” Amy hooted and laughed.
“It isn’t funny,” Claire said. “She is too old for this.”
“I beg your pardon?” Willow said. “It has been five years since I left your father. I think I’m due for a handsome man.” Claire shook her head. Willow shrugged her shoulders and got up. “As a matter of fact, I believe he is waiting for me.” She straightened her top and fluffed her hair, and without another word she glided across the room and disappeared down a corridor.
“I think I might take her cue,” Amy said and got up, too.
“Where are you going?” Claire asked.
“You said I could take him,” Amy responded.
“Take who?” Claire asked.