Keeley raced frantically around the roller rink until a song ended and an announcement crackled over the speakers.

"Alright everyone, clear the track! It's time to put the connections you've made tonight to use. Couples skate only for the next ten minutes!"

She skidded to a stop, annoyed. She was really getting into her groove.

Smoothly skating toward the exit, she found Ryan waiting with a sheepish expression.

"Hey…so, this girl has been following me around, on and off, and will probably ask me to couples skate with her, and I don't know how to say no. Could you do it with me instead?"

Well, she did owe him one for the time he'd gone drinking with her. It wouldn't be the end of the world.

"Sure, let's go. I didn't want to stop skating anyway. But I'm fast; can you keep up with me?"

"I think so."

The rule of the couples skate was that you had to hold hands and skate next to your partner. Keeley had never held hands with a man other than Aaron. It felt like a nice little act of rebellion, since she was still angry at him.

She wasn't kidding about going fast; Ryan gripped her hand for dear life as he struggled to keep up as she flew around the track.

This wasn't so bad. Pulling a weight was half-decent exercise.

Cameron was surprised by the attention he was getting from the ladies at the party.

He wasn't the same nerdy-looking guy he was in college. His improved eating and sleeping habits, affordable skincare, and well-maintained stubble had helped, as had his thinner, more stylish glasses. His pirate costume also garnered many compliments, and he managed to score three girls' phone numbers. Not bad for an hour of socializing.

Cameron was actually quite good at roller skating—his ex-girlfriend used to make him practice with her—but he spent most of his time chatting, until he saw a semi-familiar yellow blur zoom past him four times.

He knew that pineapple dress.

Excusing himself from his companion, he went to get a closer look. His eyes weren't deceiving him; that was definitely Keeley Hall. What on earth was she doing at a singles party?

Did his boss know about this? He'd said she was going to a party with her friends…

He tried cutting across the rink to get closer and introduce himself. His curiosity about his boss's employee had been eating him alive since Aiden had described her as "normal."

The middle of the rink was usually empty, or used by people trying fancy tricks or dance moves. Cameron was so preoccupied that he didn't notice a girl skating backward and executing complicated spins until she spun right into him.

Reflexively, he caught her in a dip. Her skates were still rolling, so he stuck his foot out in front of hers to stop her.

Her sparkling emerald green eyes, visible even through her thick-framed glasses, gazed up at him in shock. She was breathing heavily, and Cameron's heart began to pound.

It was as if the world around them had stopped. The sounds, the lights, the other skaters…everything faded away.

Cameron gathered his wits. "Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going."

The woman laughed, showing pearly white teeth. "I'm the one who was skating backward. Thanks for the save."

He released her and subtly assessed her. She was wearing a hipster Little Mermaid costume; a wig obscured her true hair color. A mermaid and a pirate; their costumes sort of matched.

"What's your name? I'm Cameron Singleton," he said hastily, extending his hand.

Her hand was warm and soft. "Jennica Stevens."

Just then, an announcement came over the loudspeaker: couples-only skating. He wasn't about to waste this opportunity.

"Since we're here…would you like to be my partner for the couples skate?"

A surprised smile lit her face. "Sure!"

As most skaters cleared the floor, Jennica slipped her hand into his and urged him forward. "So…what's your skill level? I'm a dancer, so I can do a bunch of tricks, but I'm cool with just going around the track if you can't keep up."

Cameron sent a silent thank you to his ex. "Actually, I know how to skate-dance, too."

She raised an eyebrow. "Alright, hot shot, show me what you can do."

He rose to the challenge, clasping her other hand and skating backward. His ex-girlfriend Melody, a dance teacher, had taught him a choreographed skate dance. He was curious if Jennica could keep up.

The dance involved switching arms, spinning, and changing who skated backward. Jennica hadn't been bluffing—she kept up as if they'd practiced a hundred times. She was clearly impressed.

They were too engrossed to converse during the first song. When it ended and he spun her into another dip, she grinned.

"You really can dance!"

A few couples applauded, and Cameron felt slightly embarrassed. He'd forgotten others were watching.

He held out his hand. "Shall we go again?"

"Let me lead this time."

As she skated circles around him, she suddenly laughed.

"What is it?"

"My friends. One of them doesn't seem to be having a very good time."

He followed her gaze to Keeley dragging a much taller man behind her, skating almost violently.

"Neither of them look terribly happy," he commented. "You came here with them tonight?"

"Uh-huh. There are about seven of us: my two roommates, that guy over there, and a few of his friends. Did you come with anybody?"

So they were roommates. Aiden would know her; he should ask for more information later. Something about Jennica was different, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

"No, my friends are lame and ditched me. I came alone."

Cameron sighed, thinking about his earlier conversation with Aaron. Aaron would be furious to have missed seeing the love of his life.

Jennica executed another perfect spin before placing a hand on his waist.

"Well, you're welcome to join us. We were going to get drinks after the party. Nobody should be alone on Halloween."

Excellent. He could spend more time with her, possibly get her number, and see what the fuss about Keeley Hall was all about.

"I would love to."

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