Her brothers had wrecked both her hair and her outfit, but it seemed she’d been gone an awfully long time for repairs. He was tired of waiting. And he was finished dancing with anyone but her. If she didn’t show back up soon he would go to the house and find her. And if that happened, neither of them would be returning to the party at all. Familiar laughter hit his ears, and he followed the sound to find Michelle talking with a man who appeared quite pleased with the attention. She’d been at Gabe’s side for most of the evening, seemingly on her best behavior, but she stood now, distanced from everyone else, just her and this man. And then Ben realized who the guy was. Ben had seen Michelle talking with him at the bar Sunday night. Or, rather, flirting with him. Ben hadn’t said anything at the time, assuming it to be harmless. She’d had a few too many to drink, but she and Gabe had seemed to be having a good time.
