“So,” Jessica says raising her glass. “Here’s to Sam and his awesome LSAT victory.”

“Alright, alright,” Sam sighs, rolling his eyes. “It’s not that big a deal.”

Turning to their friend Luis, she says, “He acts all humble but he scored a 174.”

Luis nearly chokes on his drink.

Sam tosses back his shot. He grits his teeth and squeezes his eyes shut as the alcohol burns his throat.

“Is that good?” Luis asks.

“Scary good,” Jessica answers proudly with a small laugh, staring into her glass.

“So there you go,” Luis says, walking around Sam and clamping his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “You’re our number one draft pick. You can go to any law school you want.”

“Actually, I’ve got an interview here. Monday.” Sam’s eyes are bright as he looks at Jessica. The best part of this news would mean getting to stay. With her. “If it goes okay, I actually think I got a shot at a full ride next year.”

Jessica leans toward him. “Hey,” she says, touching his hand. “It’s gonna go great.”

“It better,” he says, giving her a shy smile.

Luis touches Sam’s arm, breaking the spell between the young lovers. “How does it feel to be the golden boy in your family?”

Sam saddens and shakes his head. “Uh, they don’t know…”

The buzz of alcohol preventing him from seeing Sam’s discomfort, Luis continues. “I would be gloating! Why not?”

Sam tosses a peanut at him. “Because we’re not exactly the Bradys.” He smiles, but Jessica knows. She knows Sam doesn’t have the family he wants. He doesn’t have the support of his father or brother.

Luis throws one back. “And I’m not exactly the Huxtables. More shots.”

“No. No!” Sam and Jessica both call out as he disappears into the crowd.

Jessica grows serious. She grabs Sam’s hand, pulling his attention back to her. “Seriously? I’m proud of you. And you’re gonna knock ’em dead on Monday.” Her smile grows. She has faith, even if Sam doesn’t. “And you’re gonna get that full ride. I know it.”

He loves her confidence. Loves the way her blue eyes sparkle when she looks at him. Being with someone who wants to see him happy – someone who wants him to be what he wants to be – makes him feel special. Like maybe he really can do this.

He shakes his head. His voice soft, yet strong, he smiles and asks her, “What would I do without you?”

She gives him a saucy grin and a slight shrug. “Crash and burn…” Grabbing his neck, she crushes her lips to his. Her fingers entwine in his hair.

With big hands, he cups her face and slows the kiss. He sucks at her lower lip and makes it tender. Jessica holds the answers. She may even be The One.

Pulling back, she raises an eyebrow and cocks her head toward the door. “Whatdoya say we get outta here before Luis comes back?” she asks playfully. “Go home and I’ll put you to bed?”

Sam smirks. This is a good plan. He likes the idea. A lot. Ever since seeing her in the silly costume with its knee-high stockings and ridiculously short skirt, he’s wanted nothing more than to strip it off of her. Nice and slow. “I’d say hello, nurse!”

Little does he know, she has other ideas…

Jessica’s mouth is on his the second they hit the door. Her parted, pink lips are soft and tempting pillows begging for exploration, but she teases him. Peppers him with light, airy kisses.

They turn together, barely able to keep from knocking into furniture as he desperately toys with her lips. She struggles to slip off his jacket, yanking when it catches on his wrist.

Sam’s hands pull at the collar of her little dress, his fingers skimming between the lapels until Jessica pushes them out of the way. Her eyes bright and mischievous, she bites her lip before answering, “Not yet.”

Watching her with a raised brow, he allows her to guide his hands over her curves and down to her hips.