The girls were walking down the street looking in shop windows when Alex’s cell phone rang. She dug it out of her bag, “Hello?”
“Hey sexy lady, how much did you buy?”
Alex shifted her bags from one hand to another, “Um, just a few things.”
“So, you need six bags for a few things?”
Alex looked down and counted her bags, “How did you…?” She stopped and looked around, “Where are you?”
“You look so good in that dress.”
“Nick, where are you?” Leighanne and Kristen stopped and started looking around as well.
“I am right here.” He said walking up behind her.
Alex hung up her cell phone, “You know, you are not as funny as you think you are.”
He just smiled and kissed her, “You want me to take a couple of those?”
She handed him a couple of the bags, “thank you. What are you doing here?”
“Well, we were done with rehearsals and stuff, and Brian and I thought we would come find you guys and see how much of our money you were spending.”
Alex didn’t think his last comment was funny at all. She then noticed Brian, “Hey man.”
“Hey Alex, you look nice.”
“Thank you.”
“Wait until you boys see her tomorrow night.”
Brian and Nick looked at each other, “What did you get?” Nick asked trying to look in her bags.
“No you don’t Nick Carter, you will have to wait until tomorrow night.” Kristen said, then she turned to Alex, “Don’t let him peek.”
Alex nodded and laughed.
“I hope you ladies have something nice to wear for this evening.” Brian said as they continued to walk down the street.
“What’s this evening?” Leighanne asked
“We’re taking you out to dinner, at the nicest restaurant in LA of course.”
Kristen looked at Alex and smiled leaning over she whispered, “Wear the blue.”
“You think?” Alex asked
“Of course.”
**
As they walked into their hotel room Alex dropped the bags onto the bed, “Nick, I owe you a lot of money.”
Nick put the bags he was carrying on the bed next to the others and then looked at her, “No you don’t.”
“Yes, I do. I didn’t think this would all add up to cost so much..”
Nick stopped her, “Alex, its no big deal. I wanted you to be able to shop without worrying about money. Besides, pretty soon it’ll be yours too.”
Alex knew it would do no good to argue so she dropped the subject. She looked at the clock and realized she didn’t have much time to get ready. She went thru the bags and pulled out the blue dress, “Can I have the bathroom for a minute?”
“Yeah, go ahead.”
She went in and quickly changed into the blue dress, pulled down her hair, and washed her face. She opened the door to find Nick getting dressed. His dress shirt was unbuttoned over an undershirt, he looked adorable, “You look gorgeous.” He said looking her up and down. Alex blushed, “You done in the bathroom for a minute?” He asked
“No, but I just have to but on my make-up that’s all.”
“Okay, well, I have to shave. What do ya think?” he asked, he bent down and hugged her rubbing his whiskers against her cheek
“Hey! Stop, that hurts!” Alex said pulling away from him.
Nick just laughed and walked into the bathroom. He was in the process of shaving when Alex came in and made him scoot over. She started by pulling her hair up and piling it on top of her head. Then she started on her make-up. She was trying to put her mascara on when she realized Nick was watching her, “Stop, I can’t concentrate when you watch me.” Nick just smiled and went back to shaving. Alex finished her make up and went to find her shoes. She dug thru the bag until she found the black strappy heels. She sat down on the end the bed and put them on. Nick came out of the bathroom as she got up and tried to walk in them. As she foresaw she tripped, but Nick caught her.
She sighed, “I hate these shoes.”
Nick smiled, “Just try to get use to them.”
“Oh, like you would know about wearing these things.” She thought for a minute, “Please, don’t answer that question.”
Nick laughed, “Mom and B.J. buy these shoes all the time and they always say that they have to get use to them.” He answered buttoning his shirt and tucking it in. Then he went in search of his tie. Once he found it Alex helped him tie it. When they were both ready Nick called Brian’s room to see if they were ready. They were all going to meet in the lobby. Nick opened the door for Alex and she walked rather slowly mumbling, “I hate these shoes, I hate these shoes.”
Nick smiled, “I got your back babe.”
“Thank you, I’ll need it.”
Nick and Alex went down stairs and on exiting the elevator saw A.J., Kevin, and Kristen, “Well, Alex, you look beautiful tonight.” A.J. said smiling at her
“Thanks A.J. You don’t look so bad yourself.”
They waited only a few minutes before Brian and Leighanne came down stairs with Howie. The guys had arranged for a limo and it appeared after only a few minutes. As Nick had promised he ‘watched Alex’s back’ and offered her his arm as they went down the steps of the hotel to the limo.
**
Alex was seated between Nick and Kristen half the menu wasn’t even in English and she wasn’t sure what to do then she heard Kristen whisper, “Just order a salad.”
Alex looked at her and then the waiter appeared, “Just order what I do.” She said smiling. Kristen ordered some sort of dinner salad and Alex did the same. Kristen just smiled at her and didn’t say anything else about it. They had a good dinner, Alex remained quiet thru most of it and just listen and observed. She loved being around the guys, they were all a lot of fun, and she was sad when it was over.
The guys took care of the check and then they waited outside for the limo to be brought around. It had gotten cooler and now a chill went down Alex’s back. Nick noticed this and slipped of his jacket, “Here.” He said slipping it around her shoulders. Alex smiled at him, “Thanks.” She said slipping her arms into it. The jacket was huge but she didn’t care, she was with Nick and that was all that mattered.
