Avoiding Commitment (Avoiding 1)

The room they entered was large enough for a party to fill, but not too big that everyone would be so spread out they wouldn't enjoy themselves. The space was already beginning to crowd in. Lexi had originally thought they would be one of the first people at the party which she never enjoyed. It was refreshing that she didn't have to make small talk with people she didn't know nor care to know.

Lights were dimmed and music was playing evenly through the speakers at a volume just loud enough that no one had to speak over the music to be heard. Hors d'oeuvres were being carted around the room on silver platters. There was an open bar along one side of the establishment and another that opened up to a stunning view of the Braves field. The sun had just set across the veranda, and the last hints of pink and orange hues lit up the building before diminishing into darkness.

Lexi's eyes followed the crowd of formally dressed do-gooders noticing a distinct pattern. She set her gaze on the swarm surrounding one end of the bar. Through the crowd a pair of blue eyes seemed to catch sight of her across the room. His mouth opened slightly when he took in her breathtaking beauty, all concentration lost on his eager subjects. He was king for the night and the room full of jesters were keen to do his bidding. The queen at his side appeared elegant and serene in her flowing, gold, silk dress. She upturned her nose as the king extracted himself from her grasp and volleyed himself across the floor to his mistress in red.

Bekah followed quickly behind, speaking before Jack could reach Lexi. "Ramsey," she cried wrapping her arms around her big brother. "What took you so long?"

Ramsey smiled down on her. "I had two gorgeous ladies to escort," he said wiggling his eyebrows up and down and moving to wrap his arms protectively around Lexi and Chyna.

"You came with him?" Jack asked them even though it was pretty obvious to anyone involved with the situation that he was talking directly to Lexi. After the conversation she had with Jack about her date with Ramsey, she was amazed this was all the reaction she had elicited from him.

"Well I did tell him that I would go with him, and I wouldn't want to go back on my promise," Lexi stated pointedly. Jack's eyes blazed at the implications behind the statement, but before he could react, he was shouldered out of the way from behind.

"What the…" he trailed off.

"Lexi, baby, oh dear God. Please tell me you are single. Please, oh please, oh please," Seth cried running his hands down her sides.

Lexi couldn't help but giggle as he scooped her up into his arms. "Seth, put me down," she cried as he twirled her around in place knocking her legs into the unlucky few who didn't get out of the way.

"I'm never letting go," he said setting her on his feet, but dropping his head so that it rested on her br**sts. Lexi let out a peel of laughter at the absurdity of the situation.

"I haven't seen you in forever. The least you could do would be to give me a legitimate hug," she told Seth.

Just then someone stood behind Seth and smacked him hard against the back of the head. "You get off her this instant you pig," Sandy cried grabbing at his arms.

"Oh sweetie, it's just Lexi," he said letting go and turning to his wife.

Sandy nudged him out of the way and reached out to hug Lexi instead of continuing her scolding. "I'm sorry Lexi. It really is good to see you. When Jack told me you were coming, I just flipped by shit I was so excited."

"I can't believe you're here either. Jack didn't tell me you two were coming up," she said glaring over at Jack.

"Don't blame him," Sandy replied swatting at her husband's wandering hands. "Seth didn't think he'd be able to get away so it was kind of last minute."

"Well this is all a nice touching reunion, but I need a drink," Chyna said as she wandered away towards the bar.

"I should probably follow her. You never know what…or who is going to happen to Chyna when she is alone," Lexi said extracting herself from the group. As much as she loved Seth and Sandy, it just brought back too many painful memories to be around them especially with Jack only a few feet away. She took one brief glance backwards and saw him staring at her behind as she walked away. She knew that look. It was right before his eyes turned crystal clear blue and his desire began to peak. He wanted her. Right now. It didn't matter where he was at the moment; he just wanted to have her.

Just another reason for her to back away from him. She wasn't sure how well she would be able to resist him when he looked so damn good, and was looking at her like he could devour her whole.

"Chy what am I doing here?" Lexi asked as she reached Chyna and latched onto her elbow.

"Because you want him," she stated simply ordering a round of dirty martinis for them. The bartender almost instantly had the drinks before them. He was cute, roguish looking with a strong jaw line masked by stubble and dark hungry eyes. She smiled at him taking in the way his large, callused hands poured the drinks into triangle-shaped glasses. He pushed the drinks towards her on blue and white napkins. Chyna produced a twenty from her billfold and tossed it into the blue glass tip container. He winked at her. Lexi knew Chyna could have his number any minute now.

"Yeah, you're right. That is what I want," Lexi agreed reaching for the martini.

"Did you say you wanted something?" Ramsey asked coming up next to them. He raised two fingers and nodding at the man behind the bar.

"Uh…yeah. Well I already got my drink," Lexi replied anxiously.

"Steven," Ramsey said in greeting. The two men latching arms across the bar. "Good to see you. It's been awhile. You here now?"

"A couple places now," Steven replied pouring a drinking for Ramsey and sliding it across the table.

"I was wondering where you had gone."

"Wherever the money is."

"Well if you need anything, you let me know," Ramsey told him.

Lexi analyzed the situation before speaking. "Do you know everyone?"

Ramsey chuckled. "Pretty much. It's my job to know everyone."

"Uh huh," she humped. "And what do you do?"

His face turned a few shades lighter at the question, but he quickly recovered "I know people that's what I do," he said sending a full-watted smile her way. Her eyes narrowed at his backhanded way of telling her to back-off. But her curiosity had been peaked, and now she really wanted to know what he did.