After spending the day studying, Renee helps me get ready for the party. I can't believe the outfit she wants me to wear; it's way too revealing for me.

"Come on, Lyla," she pouts, "make every guy's head turn. You've got the body; why not use it?"

She has a point. What's the use of having boobs and a decent butt if I cover them up all the time?

"Screw it," I say, giving into Renee's outfit selection.

I slip into the tight black dress. It extenuates each of my curves and clings to my skin like glue.

"It fits you perfectly!" Renee squeals as she grabs my hips and turns me around.

I've never worn anything like this before. I grew up with very reserved parents; they would most certainly not approve of my outfit choice.

Laura was the rulebreaker of the household. She was constantly breaking curfew and seeing various guys – not the type of guy our parents would ever approve of. This is why she wanted to escape to New York with me, to regain the freedom she felt while breaking our parent's rules.

I wonder what my parents would think of Liam. Would they cast him aside after one look at his hard exterior or, would they learn to know the person within?

Laura always said that I shouldn't let someone's looks or reputation shadow their true self; that I should get to know them before making any of those decisions. But the thing is, I thought I knew Liam or was getting to know him. Renee has skewed that vision for me.

"Girl, you need more makeup than that," Renee comments on my complexion.

I don't usually wear much makeup – just tinted moisturizer, mascara, and lipstick – but, apparently, that's not going to cut it tonight.

"You need to look turn heads," she states, bringing her loaded eyeshadow brush toward my face.

I dodge her aim. "That's too dark!" I say, noting that the color on the brush is the same dark brown on her eyelids.

"Lyla," Renee says, shaking her head. "It's the look."

"I know you mean well, but can we not? I'm already wearing this revealing dress; can't my makeup be more... subtle?"

Renee purses her lips at me for a moment before nodding in agreement.

After cleaning her brush, she dips into a dusty-rose hued shadow and begins applying it to my eyelids. She works quickly, precisely coordinating her strokes as she builds up the color, then tops it with winged eyeliner so sharp it could kill.

"There she is," Renee coos, taking in my new appearance. "Just throw some mascara and bold lipstick on, and you're ready!"

I look at myself in the mirror. I look good. Hell, I look hot. The plum shadow brings out the gold flecks hidden in my brown eyes, and the slight contour on my cheeks makes my already slim features look smaller.

"I look..." I start.

"Hot. Lyla, you're sexy as hell." Renee chimes, appearing in the mirror with my reflection.

I've never felt so confident in my appearance before; it's earthshattering. The power that I feel right now has me on a new sort of high that seeps deep into my veins, fueling me.

For a moment, I forget the only reason for attending this party – catching Liam off guard. I only hope that my new appearance doesn't attract unwanted attention.

"Ready?" I ask Renee as she's slipping on a pair of heels.

"Almost. Here, put these on," she says, handing me a pair of black pumps.

"Oh, no... I shouldn't," I stutter.

"You'll be fine, just put them on."

"Fine"

***

The party is in full swing when we get there, and the loft is so packed that people are spilling out into the hallway.

Renee and I make our way through the crowd until we are spit into the kitchen.

We are spit into the kitchen, where all the booze is piled on the island. Renee grabs a cup and begins pouring from a random bottle.

She tilts her cup at me. "Want one?"

"No. I don't drink much."

"Neither did I, before him," she says, nodding at something across the room.

When I follow her stare, Liam falls into my sightline. He's playing pool with his friends, and one of them is being friendlier than the rest.

"That's Jess," Renee says into my ear. "He was fooling around with her when we were together. Apparently, they've been fucking since their freshman year."

My body tightens at her words. Knowing that Liam is playfully guiding her body through shooting motions makes my head spin.

"What is that," I ask when I turn around.

"Tequila."

Without a second thought, I take the cup from her hand and sip its entire contents. The warm liquid burns as it flows down my throat, causing me to cough once I've swallowed it.

"Here," Renee says, handing me a lime wedge.

I suck the fruit between my teeth, exhaling loudly afterward.

"Feel better?"

"Yeah," I say through the burn. "Tell me more about this, Jess bitch."

"You're right about that; she is a bitch. She's always hanging around Liam and his crew as if she's a tagalong. Whenever I see them together, they're always flirty, and as the night goes on, the two of them seem to disappear."

My blood begins to boil. "She isn't even that good looking," I snarl, which gets me an odd look from Renee. "Sorry, it must be the tequila taking."

She laughs. "Don't worry, it hits me like that, too. Want some more?"

"God, yes," I groan.

The cup seems to empty itself faster than Renee can fill it, causing me to become dangerously tipsy.

"You're back, then," a familiar voice says from across the island.

I look over and see Liam's roommate, Cole, leaning against the counter. His dark eyes trail my body as if he's mentally undressing me. What sets me on edge is when he brings his lip between his teeth.

"Yes, and?" I say, sounding more confident than I feel in my current state.

"Alone?" he questions.

"Possibly."

"Well," he starts as he makes his way to me, "it seems your guy isn't aware of your presence."

I look over at Liam, who's still being handsy with someone other than me.

"It appears that way," I shrug.

Cole gives me another once-over before speaking again. "I have to say; you look so sexy."

His comment sends shivers throughout my body. This is the sort of unwanted attention I didn't want.

"I..."

"Dance for me, darlin'," he says as he pulls a barstool from beneath the counter.

I look in Liam's direction in time to see him kiss Jess, the bitch Renee was telling me about. The sight makes me want to vomit.

I pull my eyes from the two of them when I feel a pair of hands on my hips.

"Come on," Cole coos, bringing my body between his parted legs.

"Dude! She's not interested!" Renee yells.

I immediately snap into reality. The feeling of Cole's hands on me reminds me of the last time I was in this kitchen. Liam was around to save me then, but now it seems that I'll have to protect myself.

"Let go of me!" I yell, which only sparks a jolt of laughter from Cole.

"Don't tease me, baby."

"Don't!" I grunt.

Liam is the only person who has ever called me baby, and I'm not going to let someone else start.

"Stop it!" Renee shrieks as Cole physically tightens his hold on me.

Various pairs of eyes fall on Cole and me. The only thing that's muting the commentary is the music blasting from the other side of the space.

I'm inches from Cole's face; I can smell the aroma of cigarettes on his breath as he breathes heavily against me.

"Wanna put on a show?" he slurs as a fist collides with his jaw.

As Cole's grip falls from my sides, another one takes its place. It's a familiar feeling – soft, gentle; it can only be one person. Liam.