Bent caught Sarah’s arm as she tried to rush past him.”Just so you know, your phone goes to voicemail.” Although his expression was stern, his eyes danced. Sarah paused, trying to read him. But it was impossible. It seemed he was an expert at masking his feelings. No wonder he excelled at poker. “So don’t call me,” Sarah said sharply. She shrugged off his hold. Her abruptness surprised him. He looked confused but held back to let her stomp on ahead of him. Well, not really stomp. More like attempting to run away while appearing to only walk. “Are you mad at me?” he called. His voice held a hint of sarcasm. Sarah wasn’t actually sure, herself. But for some reason, she wanted to be mad. What the heck did Elly and Trish put in my drink? Sarah decided now she really wasn’t drunk. Or tipsy. No, this feeling was different. Waaaay different. The girls had given her something else. Something laced in her Sprite. Her energy levels, not to mention mood swings, were off the charts. Sarah barely turned her head to address Bent. “How could I possibly be mad at a twit like Mr. Perfect?” She took the stairs two at a time to the first floor foyer. But when she reached the last step, her right heel came loose — the shoe was a tad big on her to begin with — and she tripped. Her heart lurched. She let out a soft scream as she fell forwards, towards the hard marble floor. Bent caught her waist, and yanked her back. He spun her towards him. She found herself inches away from his smiling face. “Well, well. I’m a twit again, is that right? And…Mr. Perfect?” He was really cracking up now. His left hand flicked her diamond earring. The diamonds caught the chandelier’s light overhead. Hundreds of tiny reflected rainbows shot across his black silk shirt. Sarah caught her breath, taking in the colors. She had to stop herself from reaching out to try and touch each of the little rainbows on him. “Thanks for saving me.” Her voice came out small and quiet. It was so hard to breathe with him standing that close. She sat down on the step. She took the long laces of the shoe in her hand and tried to tie them back together. “Here, let me help,” he said softly. He bent down to tie the shoe, cradling her foot in his hands.Sarah gulped. He was down on one knee!!!!!!!!!!!! Right in front of her. Maybe it was her hormones. Maybe it was exhaustion from school work and field hockey. But all those pent-up feelings seemed to collide at that moment. And Sarah couldn’t hold it in any longer. She burst into tears. Bent froze, stunned. Sarah covered her face with her hands. She tried to catch her breath. His arms wrapped cautiously around her. “Shh, don’t cry. Please don’t cry, Sarah.” He stroked her back with his fingers. Sarah choked back sobs. She rubbed at her eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” He wiped a tear off her cheek with his thumb. “Elly told me she gave you an energy drink. Thought it would be funny.” He finished tying up her shoe. “She must have added it to one of those bottles.” He gazed at her with concern. “Believe me. It’s normal, what you’re feeling right now. You’re coming down from a high dose of caffeine.” Oh, so that’s what he’s calling this? A caffeine crash???? Not that she wasn’t actually in love with him or anything??? Sarah faked a smile, nodding her head. “Yep,” she said, matter-of-factly. “It most definitely must be the caffeine.”