Free Solving For Nic by Lexxi Callahan

think I’m crazy but there’s something going on between them.”
    Nic froze, the hairs on his arms and neck standing up without warning. Lizzie was in Miami? He stared out to sea, not seeing anything but he could feel her. Taste her skin. The sound of his name on her breath. A low ache started deep inside him and the craving fired up again as his body flat refused to care that she’d walked out on him. No, it wanted who it wanted and she was in Miami.
    Less than an hour and a half away.
    “I’ll be there tonight. Stop worrying. If there is something going on, I’ll deal with it.”
    “Okay, Nic, thank you.” Then she added, “ Ti voglio bene. ”
    Nic was on his feet, reeling in the line and tossing the custom-made rod and reel onto the deck of his boat without thinking. He didn’t believe for a second anything was going on between Rogan and Lizzie. They’d known each other all their lives. It made no sense.
    As hot water rushed over him in the shower, he couldn’t wait to see her. Would she try to explain why she left? Would he care?

Chapter Five
    Lizzie did another sweep of the crowded ballroom, before turning back to Rogan. “Did you see her? She’s over by the bar.”
    She’d caught a glimpse of Angie earlier, but it was hard to see anything in the throng of people.
    “Do you think she saw us?”
    Rogan shook his head in indulgent disbelief. “Lizzie, everyone saw us.”
    She sipped her champagne, her eyes wandering across the room full of glittering people, and gold, aqua and pink lanterns gave the whole atmosphere an early sixties vibe. She had to hand it to Angie. The other girl might be a total bitch but she knew how to throw a party. Beautiful people lounged on low leather sofas and sipped martinis. Lizzie expected Don Draper and Roger Sterling to walk in at any time. The entire hotel was a midcentury modern dream come true.
    “Where did you say you got that dress again?” Rogan asked.
    “Don't you like it?” she asked, twisting so the sequins danced.
    “Too much.” Rogan shook his head again.
    It was a scandalous dress. It had taken her two glasses of champagne to stop feeling so exposed in it. It wasn’t too short but the red dress slithered down her body like liquid fire and the sunburst pattern of gold sequins flared whenever she moved. She’d found it in one of the resort’s outrageous boutiques. It was the first time she’d ever used her Amex. Her father was going to choke when he got the statement. He’d given it to her five years ago and she’d made up for five years with one dress and a pair of wicked shoes. The shoes were totally worth it.
    She sipped more champagne and did her best Scarlett O’Hara impersonation. She was good at worrying about things tomorrow. Living in the now. And right now, she was determined to make Angie Rogan fight for her husband. Maybe she’d finally appreciate what a great guy Rogan was if she had some competition. Angie believed Lizzie harbored a secret love for Rogan and any day Lizzie would snap her fingers and Rogan would come crawling to her.
    She dragged Rogan back onto the dance floor and put the red dress to work. Rogan was a better dancer than he thought, but even he couldn’t keep up with Lizzie tonight. He caught her around the waist and pulled her up against his side. “Are you having fun yet?” He grinned. The devil knew exactly what she was doing and had decided to play along.
    Rogan was spinning her again when she stumbled then leaned into him for real.
    Nic.
    Nic was not supposed to be here.
    She swallowed hard and glanced back around again to make sure she hadn't imagined him.
    No. There he was. In the flesh.
    And pretty spectacular flesh.
    Lizzie's whole body reacted at once. Chaos zinged through her as memories of him crashed back down on her without warning. She’d had too much champagne but she couldn’t wait to get another glass.

    “There she is. In the red dress.”
    Nic turned in the direction his sister indicated and