Chase is hardly through the door and she's already looking for him. She knows it's wrong. Dean is dating a mutual friend, so they have bumped into one another several times at parties and social events. They always chat briefly, polite conversation about the weather and such, both knowing that to discuss anything deeper would be a mistake. Right or wrong there is an attraction between them that they are both trying to ignore.
Her date is saying something, offering to take her coat. She hands it to him, distracted. Dean is nowhere to be seen so she moves into the crowd, finally able to relax. It's better that he's not here. That's what she keeps telling herself as she tries to fight the disappointment. Her date returns with a drink for her and they move through the group, talking with friends, smiling and laughing. Things are as they should be.
After nearly an hour, Chase excuses herself to go outside. These are her friends; she should be having a great time. She just can't get him out of her mind. Telling herself to snap out of it, she steps back inside and heads down the hallway.
"Chase, I didn't realize you were here."
She sees him and smiles, "Hey Dean, did you just get here?"
He holds up the coat in his hand, "Yeah, we just walked in. I was headed to put Lisa's coat away. Got any idea where it goes?"
Grinning, she turns back the way she came. "Follow me."
Chase leads him down the hallway to the first bedroom where the bed is piled with jackets. Depositing his alongside the others, they head back to the living room. The two chat about nothing, as usual, getting ever closer to the party. The closer they get, the slower they walk, both trying to prolong this moment. It's the first time they've ever really been alone together. Stopping at the end of the hall, only steps away from a room full of people, they struggle to keep the conversation going, wanting to keep it light.
Finally Chase says she better get back in there and turns to walk away. Dean reaches out and touches her shoulder. She turns back just as he says, "I was hoping you would be here tonight." Knowing it's wrong, she gives in to the moment and steps closer to him. She starts to tell him that she hoped he'd be here too, but the words are left unspoken as he leans down to kiss her.
The kiss is soft, just a brief touch and then he pulls back slightly, still close enough she can feel his breath on her face. It seems like he's hesitating, waiting for a sign maybe, but then he kisses her again. His lips press hard against hers and she sighs, letting go of her fear as the passion she's been hiding overwhelms her. She moves her arms up around his shoulders, pulling him closer as they deepen the kiss, his tongue sliding boldly into her mouth.
