This is L.o.v.e. like it should be

XXXI. One more for the road

"What an insufferable prick!", Phoebe complained in an extremely angry mood. She then turned to Ava, but her friend wasn't answering. "What's wrong?", she asked.

"Nothing serious," he replied, still holding Ava close to him. "He is one of your new bosses, maybe you should be careful."

"I know, I know. I just have a really bad temper when it comes to jerks, and...", Phoebe's words trailed off. Something felt off, Ava was showing no reaction at all. Besides, Ava wasn't one for those kinds of public displays of affection. Phoebe was sure he smelled really good, and his impeccable designer suit accented his athletic body, but that was so not like Ava. She was still in love with that jerk Julien, she wouldn't even be looking at another guy.

"Ava?" Phoebe got closer to them and moved her hair to see her face, only to find Ava unresponsive. "I killed her!", she practically fainted too.

"Of course she is not dead," the mysterious guy smiled, trying to calm Phoebe down.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, she just passed out." He replied in the same instant, stroking Ava's hair gently. Slowly, he brought up his wrist until it was just below Ava's nose, hoping his perfume was strong enough to get her to wake up.

"Mm...", she murmured, slowly coming back to her senses.

He smiled inwardly, as his hand turned her head toward his own and looked her into the eyes. Her eyes were so bright, as her lips were so desirable. Her moment of fragility forced his words: "You need some fresh air. Let me take you outside."

"My head, I feel a bit..."

"She is alive, thank God!" Phoebe almost shouted out.

The mysterious stranger helped Ava along through the crowd until they reached one of the side doors. All of those who laid eyes on them just thought they were a couple, romantically whispering words of passion. The desire on the eyes of the tall, handsome, and still nameless guy was as clear as the shining lights on the ceiling.

Phoebe, who also had a few too many glasses of champagne, lost sight of them in the middle of the crowd. For good measure, she grabbed another glass of champagne from a passing waiter, to take the edge off from these night's events. She got her friend black out drunk; she confronted and almost insulted a member of the board of directors, and now, she lost sight of her drunk friend who was led outside by a handsome stranger.

"What if he rapes her? Who the hell even was he? Damn, I just hope he is not another jerk, I'm so tired of jerks!"

Phoebe felt guilty and very, very drunk.