The clock read two minutes to eight when Spencer saw Ashley’s car pull into the driveway. Her palms were moist with the anticipation of more time with Ashley. Spencer carefully reapplied her gloss before heading down the stairs.

Her father had answered the door in her absence and standing in the foyer before her was Ashley, looking more beautiful than Spencer had ever seen her. White short shorts and a green tank top excentuated the darkness of Ashley’s skin in the ambiant light of the doorway.

Spencer felt a new sense of confidence as she struted her way down over the stairs.

"Have a good night, Spence." Her father wrapped her into an embrace before letting her go out the door with Ashley.

"I will dad."

"And please, be careful."

"Always, now would you stop worrying and let me go?"

He released his grasp on her and she and Ashley glanced at each other, giving a look that held significance only to them.

It was a few minutes later when they pulled up in front of Gray. It was already packed with dozens of people Spencer now recognized from school.

"Well, this is it. Ready to make our entrance?"

Spencer breathed deep,then slowly opened the door to the car.

"Ready whenever you are."

They entered Gray to find Glen and Madison practically undressing each other in front of the coat room.

"Get a room Madison." Ashley said,breezing past the pair.

They headed for the back of the bar where Spencer knew Ashley usually sat, and where they would find Aiden. Sure enough, there he was sitting in the booth, sipping on what appeared to be his third or fourth drink of the evening already.

"Rough week, Aiden?" Ashley planted herself next to him in the booth.

"Something like that," He looked Spencer up and down. "But things could be looking up."

"Step off Aiden." Ashley backhanded him across the shoulder.

"Something I should know here girls? You find some other guy already Spence?"

Spencer shifted her eyes at Ashley.

"I guess there was too much out there for Spencer to settle on the first dumb jock she laid eyes on." Ashley laughed, grabbing Spencer’s knee under the table and causing her to jump a little.