About a week later, Ariana was over at Nick's. Nick received a phone call from The Firm.
"Nick speaking," he said.
"Nick, it's The Firm," someone said on the other end. "Jeff. We've received quite an interesting picture in our e-mail."
"Really?" he said, sitting down on the couch next to Ariana. She muted the TV and looked at him with a questioning looked on her face.
"Yes. It appears to be you kissing some girl. There's a sign in the background that says 'Sea World'. And this thing's all over the Internet."
Nick's eyes widened at realization.
"Do you have anything to say? Is it you?"
"ep."
Jeff sighed on the other end of the line.
"Nick, you know we don't mind that you date and we're not going to make you lie about it to the fans, but you have to tell us."
"Sorry," Nick said sheepishly.
"Kay. You're in the photo with a brunette. You dating her?"
"Yep."
"Okay. I need the name."
"First and last?"
"First's fine."
"Ariana."
Ariana perked up at the mention of her but Nick gestured for her to stay quiet.
"Okay," Jeff said. "Thanks Nick.
"No problem. Bye."
"Bye."
Nick hung up the phone and turned back to see an expectant Ariana.
"What was that about?"
"Someone did take our picture at Sea World when we were, um, kissing. And now it's all over the Internet."
"Oh. I'm sorry."
"Don't be. Actually, we need to talk about that."
"We do?" Ariana asked timidly.
"Uh, yeah!" Nick said sarcastically. "Was it just a kiss or was it more?"
"'A kiss is just a kiss," she recited, smiling.
"Ari, I'm serious. Is there something between us or should I forget about it and go back to the whole acting thing?"
Ariana looked down at her hands. She couldn't tell Nick that she was falling for him. She just couldn't.
When she didn't answer, Nick charged ahead.
"I don't wanna go back to acting," he told her grabbing her hands and holding them in his. "I think we should give this relationship a real chance. I mean, what's the worst that could happen?" Nick reached out and tipped Ariana's face up so she was looking at him. "So, what do you say?"
"Let's just give it a chance, I guess."
"Ya wanna seal that with a kiss?"
"Sure." As Ariana's lips met Nick, her decision didn't seem too horrible. It actually seemed like a pretty good one.
Chapter 10
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