My phone buzzed beside me. The guys were on their way to the restaurant.

I took a final look in the mirror. Dark jeans, black sleeveless button up top. I had decided to leave my hair in loose curls and finished the look with a light coat of lip gloss. She had always loved my ‘natural’ look.

I pulled up and handed my keys to the valet. I looked at the restaurant, The Copper Turret. Relatively small and intimate. The perfect place for the farce I was entering.

I went in and scanned the room. I heard her musical laugh before I saw her. I looked over. She looked… stunning. Hair flowing in gentle waves around her shoulders. The light purple of her dress somehow enhancing the blue of her eyes. The same eyes that met mine almost immediately. She smiled and excused herself. My feet carried me closer to her, meeting her for a tight hug.

I inhaled. Lilac. It sent my head spinning. Suddenly I wasn’t sure if I could do it. But when she smiled and lightly kissed my palm I knew I would be able to. She left to greet other guests.

From what I had pieced together he had planned the entire party with the help of her parents. Everything from the menu to the song list the DJ would be playing.

Jeff brought over a round of shots. Drinking had lost its appeal long ago, after I realized how much it bothered her. But tonight it was needed. I drank it quickly, almost gagging. I hoped it would help me to loosen up. I had never been this nervous because of a performance. Then again I had never had a performance quite like the one tonight.

I took a seat. I saw him. In his khakis as usual. He smiled and waved at me. I felt sick. Every inch of my body was itching to run over and take her away from this charade. I settled for staring into my glass of Coke. Taking a sip I almost choked when the DJ began playing "Welcome To The Jungle". She looked at me as if to say ‘what the fuck?’. It may have been rude but I laughed. I was right, he didn’t know her.