(Written for  The_Weekend_Write-In writing challenge - prompt "hard"

 Exactly 500 words not counting this note. )

Joel stood in the shadows. His gaze raked the room, searching for one particular face. He'd been certain Carol was planning to attend Georgia's party. He caught sight of a sleek dark brown head. Yes! There she was. Smoothly, he threaded his way toward her, slipping between couples and dodging singles.

"Carol! I hoped I'd find you here," he smiled down at her. He cast a quick dismissive glance around the crowded room, then smiled again. "Let's go somewhere more interesting. Somewhere we can talk, just the two of us."

Carol swallowed, knowing she should really say 'no' but dazzled by the promise in his eyes. What the hell... she was an adult.

She tossed back her drink and smiled. "Sure, let's go."

Joel woke in the middle of the night and glanced across at Carol's bare shoulder beside him in the bed. She was sleeping, her hazel eyes closed, and her hair ruffled after his hands had run through it. She had followed him into his apartment without protest and they'd talked for all of five minutes, while he poured them both a drink, and then they had tumbled into bed, unable to keep their hands off each other.

But now the initial heat had died down. She was certainly pretty enough, and the sex had been good, but something was missing. He sighed.

It had all been too easy.

His thoughts drifted back to Katherine. Katherine, "don't call me Katie" was tall, with long auburn hair. They'd met at a party a few weeks ago, one thrown by his boss for the staff, where the team from his old business could meet the people from the new company he'd just acquired. Joel had made it his mission to introduce himself to all the newcomers, men and women alike, and if he did spend more time with the prettier women then surely that was only to be expected.

She'd been interested, he knew, despite refusing his offer to drive her home. "I've already booked a taxi," she'd explained with a smile.

He'd been tempted to follow up, but then he'd met Carol the following weekend and one thing had led to another...

Still, lying here in bed next to Carol, he knew he'd made the wrong choice. Then he smiled. Nothing was stuck in concrete. He'd back gracefully away from Carol and try his hand with Katherine.

Of course, it didn't work out quite as smoothly as that. Carol turned out to be one of the clingy types and he had to be quite firm with her. Refusing her calls and then blocking her number.

Finally she gave up, and he was free to pursue Katherine.

Katherine had agreed to meet him in the local bar after work for a drink, and he made his way eagerly over to the table. Except, to his utter horror, Carol appeared out of nowhere.

"You bastard!" she hissed and slapped his face. Hard.

"I believe you know my sister," smiled Katherine.

.