CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

"That jerk!” Claire was standing in front of the vanity mirror in the ladies' room, breathing capriciously.

The sight of Ryan arriving with his awfully beautiful girlfriend kept reminding her on how stupid she'd been by far. What the hell was she thinking getting too comfortable with him? She admonished herself.

The reflection of herself slowly began to calm her, and eventually drew a small and confident smile. She was beautiful, too, and didn't need anyone's approval to believe that.

With her looks; tall, long golden hair, tanned skin and proportionate figure that fitted any type of clothes she wore; she could have had any man she desired.

"But why Ryan Stevens, huh?" she thought out loud, agitated. Sighing, she opened her silver clutch and obtained her powder kit.

It didn't take long until she exited the bathroom, all refreshed. She had to stop thinking of Ryan! It was a stern mental reminder as she made her way through the small hall leading to the ballroom, only to bump into the