"Hey Paul," Candice smiled letting him in the door.
"Merry Christmas," he smiled sitting down next to Amanda. "I got you something Candice." She frowned and reluctantly took the small package out of his hands. "Paul, thanks, but," he cut her off quickly. "No, you have to accept it. Open it. Please?"

Candice glanced at her doctor sadly; she knew it what the gift was. She didn't even have to see it. She just knew. Call it ESP, it wasn't though. She knew Paul a little too well and she knew he would pull a stunt like this. Back her into a corner and then let her suffer.
"C'mon Candi! Open it!" Amanda urged wide-eyed.
"Amanda," Candice growled under her breath. Candice flashed a fake smile as Dr. Paul grinned at her knowingly. She pulled the pink paper off slowly and stared at the book. She closed her eyes as the rage inside her built. "What the fuck is your problem Paul? Why the hell are you doin' this to me?!" She clutched the book close to her chest and ran out of the living room.
"What the hell was that Paul?" Amanda hissed at the grinning doctor.
"What she's always wanted." The doctor began to frown. "Amanda listen to me, I've heard every aspect of their relationship and Nick and Candice, rather they believe it or not, belong to one another and they always will, no matter what. They just need to realize this and use what they have." He winked at her then walked out of the front door.
So this has to do with Nick? Of course, he's the only one who makes her cry! Amanda thought rushing to her best friend's room.

"Candice, sweetheart will you please open your door and let me in?"
"No!" Candice whispered. "I'll be out in an hour or two." Amazingly enough Candice wasn't crying and she sounded normal..for once. And she kept her word, she came out of her room yawning an hour and a half later. "Amanda lemme explain. Paul and I disgusted EVERYTHING, and I mean it all. I told him about my whole Jane and Bob Carter theory and he thought I was a hypocrite, but I knew better.
  I promised myself I wouldn't read Jane's book about Nick, even though I read Aaron's. And Paul gave me the heart and soul. I read it. It made me cry, a lot. Jane was so sweet when I met her, but she didn't show the same attention to Nick as Aaron and Angel and that hurts him, even today." Candice smiled at her best friend. "Amanda, I do love Nick Carter and I know you can't stand it. Maybe it's not worth all this to you, I know we've fought a lot and all but I really, truly deep down think this is how love goes. It's not a fairy tale. It's real."
"Candice I can trust you, and I know you'll make the right choice," Amanda whispered drawing her friend in for a much-needed hug.
"Amanda thanks for always bein' there for me, even though I've been a bitch to you. So how are things with you and your boyfriend?"
"Good. We're doin' great actually. He's on a business trip in France right now, but I don't miss him too much." Amanda grinned at her friend slyly.
"Amanda, thanks for not judging Nick too much. I know you don't like him much. I understand your angle and I'm ready for whatever happened between him and I." Candice smiled at her friend and silently prayed that she would be truly ready for what would happen in the coming months. "Paul really, really makes me mad. I can't believe I PAY him to torture me!" Amanda laughed at her best friend hoping she would get back to normal and forget about Nick and find a normal guy who would support her and do his best to help her through all this mess Nick had caused.
"Candice, I think you should try and get over Nick," Amanda kept her gaze out the window. She knew Candice thought she needed Nick, but Amanda knew better. She didn't need anyone, just to trust herself enough to open her heart to the right person. And Nick was not that person.

"Amanda, I know what you feel and I know you are just looking out for me, but I wanna give this whole Nick thing a chance and I know he does too! So maybe it won't be normal. I like that."
"Candice I just don't think he really cares for you! Why hasn't he called yet! He's probably out fucking some girl right now! Some random girl! While you are at home crying for him!"
"Amanda you're soo wrong!" Candice declared just as the phone began to ring. Candice grinned evilly as she put the phone up to her ear. Her head fell as she said hello and Amanda jumped out of her seat.