After the two of them had finished watching both movies and eating way too much junk food, they were still wide awake. They had spent the past 20 minutes trying to think of something else to do.
“We could go out” he suggested.
Sam shook her head, “No, I don’t feeling like getting dressed and all that mess.”
“Yeah, me either. It takes a lot of time to get this hair ready for public viewing.”
“Then why’d you suggest it you dork?”
“Well, I don’t see you coming up with any ideas smarty.”
“Sorry, I’m boring. This is fun to me.”
“What’s that?” he asked, slightly confused.
“This, you and me talking, just the two of us. We don’t get to much time when we can actually sit down and chat like this” Sam replied.
“See, I knew it. I knew you were just dying to get me all alone, so you could seduce me with your pillow talk.”
Sam just laughed and rolled her eyes.
“No, really though” Justin started, he had stopped smiling all of a sudden and had a serious look on his face.
“What?” Samantha was waiting for him to finish.
“Even though you won’t admit your obsession with me yet, I would like nothing better than to just sit and talk with you,” he finished his face again erupting in a smile.
“Cool then, it’s settled. Now what do we talk about?” Sam asked.
“Well, woman that will be your choice, since it was your idea.”
“Oh great.” Sam mumbled. “Hmm, is there anything off limits?”
“Nope, as long as you're willing to tell all too, I will tell you whatever you want to know.”
“Darn it! Well, I guess I’ll have to think about it for a minute. I can’t give you all my dirty little secrets” she joked.
“Well, while you’re deciding, I’m going to use the little boy’s room” he said as he stood up.
“Be prepared when you come out. Just call me Oprah, we’re getting deep baby.”
Justin laughed as he walked into the bathroom and shut the door. Samantha’s began to realize just how close she had gotten with him and almost everyone else in the few short months they’d been together.
*****
Sam was so nervous on the ride over to meet her new boss. She couldn’t believe that Lance was now her boss. Just days ago she was enjoying his music and hoping that she’d get to meet him and the rest of the guys someday. Now he was going to be signing her paychecks. It was almost surreal. Not to mention the fact that she’d also be traveling with him as *NSYNC toured the country. She was almost relieved to see only him when she stepped out of the limo.
“Hi I’m Lance, you must be my new right-hand gal.”
He smiled gently as he extended his hand out to her. Sam shook his hand and was instantly put as ease by the young man standing in front of her.
“Yep, I suppose that’s me. I’m Samantha…” before she could finish Lance interrupted her.
“Samantha Clark, you are 21 years old, originally from Michigan, moved to Orlando around six months ago. You worked as a secretary before you moved here but you have no experience as a personal assistant. Did I get it all right?”
Sam smiled, “Yeah, that’s about right. Just one thing though…”
“Oh geez, did I screw something up? I thought for sure that I’d memorized everything my mom told me.”
He had an apologetic look on his face. He looked sincerely upset. Sam decided she’d let him hang for long enough.
“No, no. I’m sorry, I just meant that all my friends call me Sam and I’d like you to do the same.”
“Well thank you, I’m glad you think we’re going to be friends. That’s what I was hoping for, I’ve never had an assistant for just me, so I don’t really know how to be the boss. So I guess we’re in the same boat here. How about we learn together?”
“Sounds like a good plan.” Sam smiled.
“Great, well we have some time before we have to leave, so I was thinking that the two of us could go out and get some dinner” he paused, “Ya know, get to know each other a little bit before we’re stuck on a bus together.”
“I would love to Sir” Sam replied.
“Please don’t call me that, for goodness sakes you’re older than me. I won’t be 21 for a couple days.”
Sam pretended like she didn’t already know that. “Oh really? I’ll be sure to make a note of that, a couple as in two?”
“Maybe, I guess you’ll have to do some research” he teased.
“Research ha, I’ll just ask one of the other guys. I’m sure they’ll rat you out.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right. So you ready to head out?” Lance asked.
“Sure, just tell me where I should put my bags.”
“Don’t worry about those, the driver has already put them on the bus.”
Sam turned around as the driver was stepping onto the bus with her suitcases. “Wow, great service around here. I think I may have to stick around” she joked.
“I hope so, I think we’re gonna have fun.” He smiled at her and they were off.
***
Lance had taken her to a very nice restaurant; they had a wonderful meal and had decided to enjoy a glass of champagne to celebrate the occasion. Sam playfully teased him about how it wasn’t exactly legal for him to be drinking.
“I suppose I won’t tell, since it’s only a couple days away” she laughed, “As a matter of fact, lets make this a double toast. One for my new job, and one for your birthday, since I’m sure it’ll be madness on the actual day.” Sam said referring to the insane partying that would most likely take place.
“Thank you very much” he said as he raised his glass to hers.
They had talked about everything from family to school to past jobs during dinner. As they were enjoying their second glass of champagne, they were discussing some of the things Sam would be taking care of for him. Lance was explaining how this tour was going to be exhausting, that’s why he would need the help of an assistant, to keep him on top of things. Then he got to the question that Samantha had been expecting all night.
“So, have you heard our music?”
Sam played it cool at first. “Yes I have.”
Lance was waiting for more but Sam wasn’t talking.
“Well, would you say that you enjoy it or not?” he prodded.
Sam knew what she wanted to say but when she opened her mouth, something totally different came out.
“Okay, I wasn’t gonna tell you this right away, but I figure why not just get it out. So here it is, I am a huge fan. I have been since early 1999. It was the music that got my interested at first, and can I just say that the new album is freaking amazing! Anyway, after I learned more about you guys, and you gotta admit, the looks are an added bonus, I was hooked. I had been to two concerts in Detroit and Jen and I, that’s my roommate and best friend, were planning on going to most of the Florida shows. Ya know, if you think about it, if it wasn’t for my love of you guys I would’ve never gotten this job. I started going online to find out more about you guys and I started talking to other fans and that’s how I met Jen, after I found her web site about you guys, and we started talking and then I moved down here and I was looking for a job and the rest is history. Now that I think about it, I have met some really cool people thanks to you.” Sam paused for a breath. “Did I mention that I think you guys are truly gifted vocalists and musicians? It drives me nuts when critics and other people say you have no talent. Hello! Have they actually listened to you guys sing? You can knock me on my ass with your harmonies. People are just jealous they just don’t understand…” Sam started to trail off as she realized what was coming out of her mouth. “Oh my goodness, I am such a dork. I can’t believe I just said all of that.”
She was nervously waiting for Lance’s reaction. He said nothing at first. He just stared in amazement at the attractive young woman in front of him. After what seemed like hours to Sam he finally spoke up.
“Wow. I was expecting a simple yes or no.”
“I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to give you the full disclosure so soon. I was planning on telling you eventually, just not like this. I hope you don’t think that this will affect my job performance in any way. In fact, I think in some ways it’s a bonus.”
“How’s that?” He asked.
“Well you see, because I am such a big fan I truly care about what happens to you and I want you to be happy and successful in everything that you do. Therefore, that’s only going make me work harder to make sure that happens.”
Sam was trying to read his thoughts to see if he agreed or if she had just made incredible mistake divulging all of this information so soon. He seemed to be carefully planning what to say.
“Okay, first of all,” he started.
‘Here it comes’ Samantha thought to herself, ‘He’s trying to think of an easy way to tell me that he thinks I’m a raging lunatic and that’s there is no way in hell he’s going to trust me with this job.’
“I’m glad that you enjoy our music. I don’t think I’d want to be working side by side with someone everyday if they didn’t at least appreciate us as artists. Second, I’m glad that you told me right away. It’s out in the open and that’s good, you don’t have to worry about hiding it from me now. Not that you would have to hide it from me, but you know what I mean. Third, if you think it’s going to make you work harder to help me out, then it can only be a good arrangement for both of us.” He smiled warmly at her before continuing. “Now what’s this about Jen running a web site about us?”
Sam laughed, “Sorry, that’s a story for another time.”
“Okay, as long as you promise to show it to me someday.”
Sam was watching his piercing green eyes, as they seemed to be dancing with the flickering of the candlelight. “Maybe, I’m not making any promises though” she teased.
He just smiled and offered her another glass of champagne. She passed, she knew she’d reached her limit.
“You know what? You’ve learned a very valuable piece of information about me tonight.”
Sam had peaked his interest. “And what would that be?” he asked.
“I’m a light-weight when it comes to alcohol. Just get a couple drinks in me and I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”
Lance smiled mischievously, “I’ll definitely have to remember that. We should go now though we’re cutting it close.”
As they walked out of the restaurant the cool night air hit Sam and sent shivers through her body. Lance noticed it too and immediately insisted that she take his jacket. He was standing in front of her draping it over her shoulders as he looked down and their eyes met. Sam was still shivering but not because of the change of weather. She was feeling something magnetic and she was almost positive that Lance was feeling the same thing. For an instant she thought he was going to lean in and kiss her. Instead, he quickly pulled back.
“We better go. Johnny’s going to be pissed off if we hold everybody up.”
As they were riding back, Samantha was replaying that moment in her head. ‘Maybe I misread the signals’ she thought to herself. She had no idea that Lance was sitting next to her thinking about how badly he had wanted to kiss her at that moment. He was also making a note to himself to thank his mother the next time he talked to her.
*****
Sam hadn’t noticed that Justin had emerged from the bathroom and was now thumbing through a photo album that was lying in a pile of her stuff.
“Uh, Sami baby, I hate to interrupt your deep thoughts, but why do you have a picture of me and some girl in Hawaii?”
“Oh man, you weren’t suppose to see that. You’re pretty nosy aren’t you?” she said, pretending to be upset.
“Well, excuse me, but since you were so busy with your thoughts I had to entertain myself. So are you going to explain or what? Who’s the girl and why do you have the picture?”
“Well, first of all, it’s not just some girl. It’s Jen.”
“Your roommate right? She’s a fan? How come you never told me?” he asked.
“I don’t know” Sam said sheepishly.
Justin flashed a huge smile at her, he knew why she had never mentioned it before. “Wait a minute Samantha. Are you an *NSYNCaholic?”
“Oh geez, my secret’s out. Yes Justin you are right, I even attended meetings for my addiction.”
He had a sly grin on his face.
“You’re never gonna let me live this down are you?” she asked.
“You know better Sami. Wait till I tell the rest of the guys.” He laughed, “What do you think your boss is going to have to say about this?”
“Nothing, he already knows. He has since the very beginning.”
“What! And he didn’t tell me?”
“No we thought it would be better if we didn’t mention it for this very reason.”
“No, don’t worry about it, I think it's cool that you’re a fan. And obviously a big fan if you went to Hawaii to see us. I remember posing for this picture, but I don’t remember seeing you there.”
“That’s because I wasn’t there Sherlock. I didn’t have the fundage. And I was a fan, past tense, now that I know you the mystery is gone, it’s nothing but a job now.”
“Yeah right, you can no longer deny your love for me. It goes way back. I bet I was even your favorite right?”
“HA! Wrong again you conceited little boy.” Sam said as she was sticking her tongue out at him.
He threw a pillow at her as he laughed. “Then who was?”
“I’m not telling and you can’t make me.”
“Oh yes I can. Never underestimate my powers of persuasion.”
“Oh really? Exactly what is your plan?” Sam asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.
He had a smug smile on his face. “It’s simple…torture.”
He instantly tackled her and started tickling until she gave in. Sam could barely speak and her sides were sore from all the laughing.
“Alright, I’ll tell you, you fool. Just stop please. I’m gonna pee my pants!”
He laughed and stopped tickling so she could talk.
“I can’t believe you fell for that you dumbass.” Sam giggled as she freed herself from his grasp.
“Fine, if you’re not gonna play fair I give up” Justin huffed as he folded his arms and drooped his bottom lip.
“Aww, you’re so adorable right now. I almost feel bad for you” Sam teased.
Justin arched one eyebrow, “Bad enough to tell me?”
Sam thought about it for a minute. “Nope. Not even enough to stop me from doing this.” She pounced on him and continued the tickle war. They both had tears running from their eyes when she finally stopped. They sat up on the floor and were leaning against the bed. Sam turned to face Justin. His crystal blue eyes were still sparkling with laughter. Samantha wasn’t exactly sure what she was feeling at this moment but she knew that she couldn’t deny it any longer. She took him by surprise as she leaned in and embraced him with a passionate kiss.
***