Walking back towards the house, not paying attention to much besides talking with Mason a strange woman popped out of nowhere and grabbed me in a bear hug.

"What the..." I gasped as the air was knocked out of me. Completely in shock, not able to move due to the grip the woman had on me and not knowing what to do. I think my eyes were popping out while I tried to breathe through the uncomfortable feeling of a stranger touching me as well as the physical attack that came from when these people seem to touch Mr. Mason was no help at all, to busy doubled over laughing. Finally, Mady came and saved the day, prying off the now crying woman off me. All I could think was, "What the hell just happened" and "Who was this strange woman that practically assaulted me and never mind why she was crying?"

Stumbling a step back on weak knees as soon as I was free, I stood still and waited for someone to explain what the hell just happened. Mason finally able to stand up straight took the crazy lady from Mady and walked her back from where she came from. Mady stared at me with suspicious looking glossy eyed and smiling helped me snap out of my stupor.

"Ok, what the hell just happen and why are you about to cry?" I demanded.

"I always cry when some else does and that was Sydney's mom..." Stopping as she seen the horror on my face. "It's not bad, she was just so happy to see her little girl look happy and like a young lady. She was trying to thank you."

Relieved, I relaxed some, and then said, "Shit, she scared the crap out of me. If Mason was not pissing himself laughing, I would have nailed her. I already pissed of one person today and I didn't want to make it two."

"They just set out the food. Let's go get something to eat," Mady said, laughing and lead the way back around the house.

It was more of a feast then a barbeque. Four tables were set up with food and another 15 or so for people to sit at. The six barbeques were still going with hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, and steaks. Each table of food held meat, veggie and fruit platters, different salads and plates and utensils. The lines moved quickly, and well organized, for the number of people in each.

After dinner, they decided it was time to start a bonfire. The last of the sun rays seeped through behind the clouds, giving the illusion of the heavens shining down on us. The sky painted with splashes of red, pink, orange and yellows; it was a perfect end to a perfect day.

Lost in the beautiful view, I didn't hear Dmitri come up behind until he spoke with that deep, velvet voice that I could wrap herself in.

"How are doing Sam? Did you have enough to eat?" Dmitri asked, inches from my ear.

Jumping at the unexpected closeness, I spun and took a step back. "I'm good, thanks."

"Sam, are you avoiding me? Every time I come around, you walked the other way," Dmitri accused, trying to figure me out.

"Sure am. I prefer only one death threat per day, thank you" I only half teased, and went to walk around him, only to be stop as he moved in front again.

"What are you talking about?" He asked. No sign of teasing in his tone or humour in his face. Then recollection hit. "Ah, you're talking about Alexis," he snickered, "I like the stick out of the ass comment."

"I'm getting too old to fight, plus I have never and I repeat never fought for or over a man and don't plan on starting now. Add in the fact that you are a bad boy and those I stay away from." I said with a hint of amusement in my voice. Once again I went to walk around him and once again he prevented it.

Closing the distance between us, Dmitri leaned forward close to me ear, but not touching any part of my body. "That's Ok, you don't need to fight over what's already yours. I am not a bad boy. If anything I am a very, very good boy," his voice seductive.

As his breath hit my ear, a shiver I could not contain ran up my spine. Dmitri clearly pleased by my reaction, put on a cheeky smile. Taking a step back it was easier for me to focus on our banter instead of his body so close.

Two could play at this game, tilting my head to the side, rubbing my forefinger over my bottom lip once, and watched his eyes following my every move. "Hmm...but what if I don't want it?" My voice matched his seductive one.

"You will," he countered, closing the space between us again.

"Aren't you a cocky bastard?" The nervous laughter was not contained. We both knew it. This time I made it past Dmitri or more like he let me go. Being around this man was dangerous and the farther away I was from him the better. I would never have the upper hand with him. No way was I ever going to go through that again.

The night winding down and the good byes started. I went to go find Sydney before leaving as well. It didn't take long to find a group of young adults sitting by the fire having a good time with Sydney sitting between a couple cute boys, who were hanging off every word she was saying. Deciding not to disturb her I turned to go back. Unfortunately I didn't make it two steps before running right into Alexis.

"Isn't it Ms. Popularity?" Alexis hissed. All I could do was sigh and try to walk around her, but was stop when Alexis grabbed my arm tightly. "It won't work you know, all this community service shit to get people to like you," Alexis glared.

Trying to shake Alexis' hand off only ended up with her squeezing tighter. Refusing to show that her unbreakable grip hurt, I said in the sweetest voice possible, "You know that offer still stands." Alexis brows bunched, not having a clue what I was talking about so I continued, "Helping you get that stick out of your ass," I explained, mouth curling into a playful smile. Giving one more tug Alexis grip slipped away. Needing to rub the feeling back in my arm was not an option so instead I added a little sway to my hips as I walked away.

Heading back over towards Mady and the group I stood back a bit not wanting to interfere with their conversation and tried not to concentrate on my throbbing arm. In my own little world, it took a second to realize someone was calling my name.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Apologizing to whoever was talking, which earned me a chuckle because I looked the wrong person.

Jack laughed, "It's Ok. It has been a busy day and a lot to take in. I was asking you why you have been carrying that paper around with you the past couple of hours?"

Totally forgetting the paper, I looked down at the hand that was holding it. "Oh...well the looks I have been getting I decided if someone started to hump my leg I would just smack them on the nose with it." It was the first thing that came to mind. For a second you could have heard a pin drop. Even the crickets went silent. Then Jack, Nate, Dmitri, and Mason all bent over, spitting out the mouthful of beer that they were drinking, while the women in the group just roared laughing. Completely stunned, the men just stared as if I grew a second head. Plus I added the, "what did I say" look on my face before joining the laughter.

"Like I said she's spunky and you will never know what will come out of her mouth next." Nate told Dmitri.

Parents began to take their young children home, and not soon after my exhaustion hit like a ton of bricks. I had a great time, but I was so ready to hit the bed. Thankfully, Mady felt the same or noticed I was done for the night. Suggesting it was time to go home; we made our rounds of goodbyes, and then headed home to our own beds.