Jordan bent to check his teeth in the side mirror before he straightened up and walking inside. As he opened the door the smell of food hit his nose, the music whispered around his ears and his eyes took in the people gathered around the room having a good time.

He removed his jacket and scanned the crowd trying to find his date.

Wait date? Is that what this is? Well she asked me but I don't think she was ...

"Well miracles still happen. Jordan Walters I can't believe my eyes!"

Jordan turned to glare at his friend.

"Thanks Brian can you say that any louder!" He grumbled

"Sure I can, but I don't think you want me to" Brian replied with a teasing grin.

Jordan ignored him and went back to trying to find Bethany in the crowd. As soon as he saw her his stomach did a funny little twitch. She was talking to a group of women including Brian's wife and Georgia. Her face alive with animation and laughter. Just then Georgia turned and saw him, her eyes widened for a split second. Who could blame her, he wasn't known to be the social type at all. He watched as she turned and whispered something to Bethany who looked over and caught sight of him Her face lit up and now it was his heart that did a funny twitch.

"Attractive isn't she?" Brian said next to him

"Yeah" he drawled

"And you're interested" it wasn't a question.

He was saved from answering when Bethany ran over and hugged him. He didn't miss the knowing grin his friend sent him before wondering off.

He stared at her face when she pulled away and looked up at him. Her eyes were bright and her cheeks were a little pink.

"I'm so happy you decided to come, I didn't think you would" she said

"I almost didn't" he replied

"Well I'm glad you did" she replied

The next thing he knew she laced her fingers through his and pulled him from table to table, greeting people. The rate at which she was going you'd think she was the one that grew up there.

Jordan quickly realized that the self absorbed defensive woman he met the first time she came to cause trouble, was quickly fading away. Instead that woman was being replaced by a relaxed, carefree, friendly version, her true self. He hasn't missed the way everyone lights up around her. Her smile and laughter was the contagious sort.

I wouldn't admit it but he rather enjoyed knowing that she loved knowing she was right by her side. Throughout the day she left a careless arm laying on his thigh if they were sitting, if they ever stood her arm was around him in a hug. For him? He just let his hand lay on the small of her back.

A soft country ballad started and people drifted towards the dancefloor. Bethany didn't ask but he knew she wanted to dance. There was a look of longing on her face when he casually glanced at her.

One dance won't do anything right?

He stood up and offered her his hand. She stared at his hand in surprise before smiling and accepting. He lead her to the dance floor and spun her in a little twirl before gathering her in his arms. The music spun around them lifting away every doubt. This was what mattered, having in his arms, held close moving to the slow music. He resisted a shiver as she ran her hands up his chest to wrap them around him. She lowered her head to his chest and he was sure she didn't miss the way his heart galloped like a runaway horse.

When she glanced up at him all sensible thoughts went out the window as he lower his head.

"Jordan?"

His body went cold and stiff. He looked away from Bethany to see Lila watching them.

He blinked in surprise and confused.

"I couldn't believe it was you. I had to come over and get a closer look. How are you?" She continued

"Good Lila, I'm good" he replied in a tight voice.

"You look good" she went on in almost a flirty tone.

He felt the unmistakable way Bethany tensed beside him. As far as uncomfortable situations went this one could be rated twelve on a scale of ten.

"We should catch up, for old times sake. Come on let's dance"

Before he could object she squeezed her way between him and Bethany and took his hand.

What the hell is her deal? When did she even get back in town?

He caught Bethany's confused expression. She looked from the brunette in his arms to his face. With her cheeks clenched and her lips in a angry purse she turned and walked away. Before she could go back to their table Randal another local cowboy pulled her back on the dancefloor for a dance. Now it was his turn to go tense with unease.

He turned to look down at Lila as she lightly touched his face.

"What are you doing Lila?" He asked her as they kept moving to the music.

"I'm dancing with my highschool sweetheart" she replied in a flirty tone that made him tense all the more.

"That was light years ago" he said with a shrug

"And you have grown up. You look, wonderful" she replied as her hands moved up his chest.

It was the same move Bethany had done just a few minutes ago but while her touch had left him warm and wanting, Lila's touch made him uncomfortable, cold. He caught her wandering hands and held them firmly away from him.

"I don't know what you're up to, but I can assure you, I want no parts of it" he told her.

"Jordan you can't still be upset about what happened. We were young. What we had must have meant something to you. This is our chance to try again" she told him.

All along he thought this was what he wanted, a chance to fix something that he had always wanted, so why was he standing here feeling conflicted?

"Lila this is neither the time nor the place to discuss any of this" he replied

"Can I come over later then?" She asked hopefully.

"No!" he replied immediately thinking about Bethany who was currently a houseguest. "I'll let you know, unless you're in a hurry to leave town again?"

"No, I have no intention of leaving you" she replied

"You mean like you did years ago?" He asked in a cool tone.

"And I've regretted it ever since" she replied

"Yet you're just now trying to fix things" he said

"I was ashamed of what I did" she replied wringing her fingers in what he knew was a nervous habit of hers.

He reached out and gently held her fingers.

"I know I hurt you. I'm really sorry" she said and for the life of him she really did sound and look sorry.

"Come by the ranch on Friday, we'll talk then" he told her.

He looked to where Bethany was dancing with Randal but saw Randal dancing with someone else now.

"Where's Bethany?" He asked as he walked back to their table. He noticed her jacket was missing.

"While you were busy rubbing with old fire sticks she took off" Georgia said in a crossed tone.

"Took off? Where did she go?" He asked

"I reckon she must be halfway home by now" was the woman's reply

"She walked!?" He exclaimed already reaching for his own jacket.

"She refused to let any of us drive her home"

Jordan wasted no more time. He rushed out the door and jumped into his trunk. He glanced at everyone he passed hoping one of them would be her. He drove for almost another ten minutes until he saw her walking along the sidewalk, hands wrapped around herself with her head hanging low.

He pulled up next to her and rolled the window down.

"Bethany!" He called out but she kept on walking so he had to slowly drive along side her.

"Can you please get in the truck!" He asked

When she kept on ignoring him he cut the engine and climbed out. When he caught up to her she gasped and looked up at him. That's when he noticed she hand ear buds in that was attached to her phone.

She really didn't hear him.

"You scared me!" She snapped

"I was calling your name" he explained

"Obviously I couldn't hear you!" She said pushing away his hands.

He noticed that her nose was suspiciously red and so were the rim of her eyes. He reached out to turned her to face him but she pushed away from him and lost her balance and landed in the snow.

He hurried to help her up but again she pushed at his hands and that frustrated him. He picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder and march back to the truck. He put her in the passenger seat and ignored her glare when he climbed in next to her.

The drive home was thick with tension, neither of them so much as uttered a single word. She wasted no time bolting from the truck and stomped her way into the house with him following behind her.

"Damn your nose is red! Taking over from Rudolph this season" Jason teased her as soon as they got inside.

Jordan swallowed when he saw the anger blazing in her eyes as she turned to glare at his brother. If looks could kill they would all be gathered by his brother's grave lowering him six feet under.

"Your family tree must be a cactus because everyone on it is a prick!"

Jordan watched as she dashed up the stairs, the slamming of a door followed shortly after. He turned to find his brother's looking at him with raised eyebrows.

"What the heck did you do?" Asked Joseph

"I know it's been donkey years but how did you tank the first date you've been on in years?" asked Jason

"What happened?" Joseph asked again

"Do you know what you've caused? She was already a fire cat! Now she going to walk around here like a freaking wild panther ready to rip throats, my throat to be exact since the woman can't stand my guts. You better fix this!" Jason warned

Jordan would have laughed at the horrified expression on his brother's face but he was feeling too tensed.

"Lila" he said as he dropped himself onto the recliner.

"Shit!" His brothers drawled

"She's back?" Asked Joseph

"Something like that" he murmured

"And I take it she blew up Bethany's spot" said Jason

"Something like that" Jordan murmured again

"For a guy that's treated women like they had leprosy for the last decade, it sure is darn surprising that you're in the middle of a love triangle" said Jason with a snicker.

"Shut up Jason!" Jordan and Joseph snapped

"I'm just saying" he replied

Hey guys! Sorry I didn't update yesterday. I got caught up with my drawing. So hey Lila is back, what do y'all think will happen ?

Remember to comment and vote.