“Why not?” She asked.

“Because, every time he looks at me I get this weird feeling and I don’t like it,” she answered.

“Wrong, you love it, just like you love him, Grace, you need to get over this whole fear, maybe Chris can be the one to help you…”

“I want him to, I really do, but I can’t take that risk, Kay-Kay.”

“Well will you do me one favor then?”

“Of course, name it.”

“If he asks you out, don’t turn him down, ok?”

Grace thought for a minute, a date couldn’t do too much damage could it? “Alright, I won’t, but don’t count on it anytime soon.”

“Grace, that boy drools over you, it should be any day now, but I must be off to work, love you enjoy you date tomorrow! Bye!” Kayla didn’t give her a chance to rely before Grace heard a dial tone in her ear.

“Sure, what about?” She questioned him.

“Well, ya know, since we have a night off tomorrow, I was wondering, well, um, I was wondering if you wanted to grab a bite or something, go see a movie maybe?” He asked her shyly, praying inside that she wouldn’t turn him down.

Grace looked over at him smiling at the way he was twirling his fingers and staring at the floor, obviously nervous. “Of course, I would love to Christopher,” She finally answered as she watched him quickly lift his head from the floor to her with the biggest smile she had ever seen.

“Really? You will?” He double-checked.

“Of course, what time should I be ready?”

“Umm…7, let me know where you want to go though, ok?” “Alright, I’ll think about it and let you know before the show, ok?”

“Alright, I have to get going now, see you before the show?”

“You know it, bye Chris,” Grace waved as he ran off, still smiling.

She found it hard to keep her own smile from invading her face. She couldn’t get over the fact that someone had asked her, Grace Thomas, out on a date. It seemed like something she could only dream of. Yet suddenly the one guy she wanted at the moment had asked her out. The only thing she could think was ‘wow.’ She was excited; this was her first real date since her first year of med school. Suddenly the nerves kicked in and Grace was becoming a little apprehensive, but she wouldn’t let anything, not even herself, ruin this date.

“Of course, thanks you,” She said, linking her arm with his as she shut the door behind her. “So, where are we off to this lovely evening?” She asked him.

“Well, I thought we’d start with a classy game of mini-golf, then possibly grab an ever expensive and high-class, cheeseburger fit hat ok with you?” He explained as Grace stood by his side, laughing the entire time.

“Of course it’s ok with me, sounds perfect,” She let him know with a bright smile.

Something about being with Chris felt so right, yet so wrong at the same time. Grace had no idea what she was feeling, but she knew whatever it was, was making her confused.

“I want the yellow ball!” Chris whined as Grace took the yellow ball that was placed on the counter.

“So, be a gentleman for once would ya Chris? Take the green one,” Grace told him, giving a smile and a wink.

“Fine, but next time, I get yellow, got it?” He let her know.

“That’s fine, but who says there will be a next time?” She teased.

“You trying to say you would go on another date with me Gracie girl?” Chris asked, giving her a puppy dog face.

She smiled, “I’d have to think about,” she told him jokingly, only inside of Grace it was no joke. How could she go on another date with him? That would mean them starter to get closer then friends, which would mean him trying to kiss her, there definitely would be another date. At that though Grace cringed, how could she not date Chris? He was a perfect gentleman, and it was obvious he cared for her. But how much could she trust him? How did she know he wouldn’t do to her what Tom had done to her years before? a memory that never faded.

“Whatever, let’s get to golfing!” Chris said, forging ahead with his golf club in front of him.

As Grace followed behind she couldn’t help but smile. He made her feel that way all the time, Happy and worry free. That is until she returned home and he wasn’t there to shed that light on her world anymore. It was something she didn’t look forward to, but knew she needed.

As dinner began to wind down Grace was regretting how fast the night had gone by. It seemed like he had just knocked on her door, but now it as time to go back to her hotel room alone, to think about everything and tear everything apart, analyzing every aspect of her life, but mostly, the relationship she and Chris were growing. Which, most of the time, was the hardest thing to tear apart. It was too much sometimes, breaking her down.

“Well, thanks for tonight, Chris, it was so much fun,” Grace told him as they stood outside her door.

“Yeah it definitely was, we’ll have to do it again some time,” He told her as they could both feel the tension building.

“Well, I’m tired, so I’m going to get some sleep, night Chris,” Grace old him, leaning and giving him a peck on the cheek and a hug.

“Night, see you tomorrow,” Chris waved, walking away obviously disappointed at the outcome of their night.

As Grace entered the lobby she saw five guys, all head adorned with various baseball caps.

“Hey guys,” She said, walking up to them and giving everyone a slight wave.

“Ooh, Grace, the love of my good friend Chris’s life,” Justin came up next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “How are you doing on this lovely morning?” He continued as they began walking out of the hotel to an awaiting car.

“Fine thanks,” She answered tentatively. “What’s up with you?”

“What do you mean? Nothing’s up,” He told her, eyeing her sideways. “Did you give him any action last night?” He questioned her quietly.

“Justin…” she whispered as he gave her ‘what’d I do?’ look. And she just smiled. “No, I’m afraid not, he got nothing,” She answered, giving him a smile seeing the disappointed look on his face. “Lose a bet?” She asked.

He looked rather shocked. “You think I didn’t know?”

“Well...I, I mean…” He fumbled on his words.

“Don’t worry, it’s ok Jus, I’m not mad at you for being you, or the other guys for betting, so tell me, who won?”

“JC,” He answered sighing.

“Good man that JC is, well, what do you say we get out this car and get some food?” She suggested hearing her stomach growl.

“Sure, why not?” He answered, getting out of the car, lending her his hand as she nodded at his appreciatively.