As we move upward, the background music swells until it fills the air around us. Apparently, the second floor is for dancing. A DJ booth sits back against the wall, leaving a large, clear area for the mass of writhing bodies.

I don’t spot the bar right away, and again, Jasper hands out directions. Across the dance floor is an archway leading into another room. That’s where we head, weaving through the crowd of sweaty dancers in our own individual ways. Jasper just cuts a straight path. I maneuver and dodge, rather smoothly might I add. When I check to make sure Sammy is still following me, I find my previously surly roommate bopping his head and swaying his hips. He uses his dance moves to jump from partner to partner on his way across the floor.

Through the archway, we find the second-floor bar. I expect the seating up here to be just as crowded, but it looks like most people grab their drinks and head back out to dance. The first bartender I see has thick black hair falling over her shoulders, some dusting the top of her generous cleavage, which is practically resting on the bar as she leans forward to hand two women their drinks. She’s the type of person to draw stares with her stunning curves and dark eyes. But she’s not the one I’m looking for tonight.

Walking farther into the room, I finally find Holly at the other end of the bar, shaking a tumbler as she grins at two guys, laughing at whatever they’re saying. I’ve never been the macho, alpha type, but I have a strong urge to elbow them out of the way and steal Holly’s smile for myself. Instead, I move up behind them and wait until they’re done getting their drinks.

She’s quick, smoothly pouring the liquid into martini glasses and garnishing them with a flourish. “You boys have a good night. Come back and see me when these are empty.”

“You know we will!” They clink their glasses together and then saunter away, leaving an empty stool for me to swing myself onto.

“Ben! You made it!” Holly reaches across the counter and gives my forearm a squeeze while smiling at me. Then, she glances behind me to where I assume my roommates are standing. “Hey, Jasper. How’s it going?”

“It’s good now. Have you met our other roommate?”

“I don’t think so.” She lets go of my arm and holds out her hand for him to shake.

“This is Sammy.”

“Nice to meet you.” He grips her hand, but I’m glad to see the shake doesn’t linger. Not that I have any reason to expect it would.

At the start of the night, I was excited for the three of us to be hanging out, but now, selfish bastard that I am, I kind of just want to talk to Holly on my own. I’m not rude enough to say that out loud though.

“You’ll be wanting your keys, I’m guessing?”