After helping Kris get dressed for the show, Fiona went in search of John to tell him that Kris would need a piano for the opening number. She would never make it back to the dressing room to warn Kris of the identity of John’s brother and little did she know what kind of an impact that would have on everyone close to her and John.

She found John talking to a dark haired man at the bar. "John, Kris is going to need the piano. She’s opening with her new song and needs it set up," she said leaning beside the guy.

"She mentioned something about a new song but didn’t say that she would need a piano."

"John, are you going to introduce me to this lovely lady?" Howie said with a smile.

Fiona turned to see who it was that had complimented her so sweetly and her knees almost buckled when she realized who it was.

"Oh my god… you are…you are from…oh my gosh!" she stammered like an idiot.

He laughed sweetly.

"Fiona, this is my brother Howie. And yes, he is with the Backstreet Boys" John said laughing.

Howie took her hand and kissed it gently. "Nice to meet you, Fiona."

"Nice…to umm…umm…nice to meet you too."

"Are you a fan?" he asked.

"Yeah, I love Nick. Is he in town too?" she said kicking herself mentally as he laughed.

"We hear that quite often. And, NO-he isn’t in town."

"I’m so….oh God…I’m sorry. Leave it to me to put my foot in my mouth!" she said apologetically.

He laughed again, his smile as contagious as his laughter. "No need to apologize."

Fiona hadn’t realized that Kevin had walked up behind her while they were talking. As she turned to go warn Kris, she almost ran him over.

"Hold up little lady. Where are you off to in such a hurry?" Kevin said as he helped her regain her balance.

"Oh my God!" she squealed as Howie and John broke into laughter.

"No, not God. Just Kevin Richardson" he said as he held out his hand.

"I…um…I know…."

"She’s a fan, Kev but she likes Nicky" Howie snorted.

"Nick? What’s he got that I don’t have?" he said wrapping his big muscular arms around her waist.

Fiona’s legs buckled completely at that moment and if it hadn’t been for his grip on her, she would have hit the floor like a ton of bricks.

"Whoa, baby" he whispered in her ear.

He helped her to the barstool next to Howie and remained within an inch of her neck as he spoke.

"What’s your name?"

"Fiiii…um…Fiona" she managed.

"Sounds exotic and just as sexy as you are."

His deep southern drawl was working its magic on her and she had just about forgotten all about Kris when John picked up the phone and called someone telling them to set the stage up with the piano and stand by to remove it after the first song.

" I forgot about Kris. I’ve got to go…"

"You are friends with Kris?" Kevin asked, a quizzical look on his face.

"They are roommates," John answered quickly.

"Interesting. And you work here?"

"Yes. I’m a waitress," she said proudly as she stared at the most incredible green eyes she had ever seen.

He smiled and then turned to Howie who sat watching the scene with sheer amusement.

"Can sweet little Fiona have the night off to be my date?" he asked.

"Sure." Howie said laughing.

"But…I…um…okay!" she said with a smile.

There was no sense in trying to fight it, he was tall dark and gorgeous and she couldn’t help but stare into those emerald green eyes. He had her hooked and she could have cared less if Nick had walked through the door too. He wanted her to be his date and she was on top of the world. She knew that she should have been a better friend and went and told Kris, but she couldn’t move. Actually, she didn’t want to move. His arms were wrapped around her tightly, his smile blinding her and she felt satisfyingly content.

Chapter 11            Index