"Do you know something that we don't, Cher?" Howie asked, tickling her in her side. Just then Misty and AJ walked up.

"Hey, you guys, whatcha talkin' about?" Misty asked, sitting down at the picnic table with everyone.

"Yeah, looks pretty serious," AJ said, sitting next to Misty. "What's goin' on?"

"Nothing, really," Howie replied. "Just trying to find out what Cherie knows about Laura. She's over at Brian's place right now with Kevin and Nick. Soooo, tell us, honey, do you know something???" he asked, tickling Cherie again.

"Yeah, I might," Cherie replied with a smile, jerking away from Howie so he couldn't tickle her. "Laura told me the other day she made her decision and that she was going to tell them the first time they were all together, which looks like today."

"I just knew something was going on with her today," Jenn said, and Brian nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, she sure was on edge. I wonder how Kevin and Nick are doing as well...."

"So anyway, that's my choice. I--I don't know what else to say. I didn't come to this decision lightly. Quite the opposite, I was worrying myself sick. I really hope that this doesn't affect our friendship or the friendship between the two of you," Laura said, smiling at both Nick and Kevin. She hated having to choose between the two of them, they both treated her like gold. But it wasn't fair to them, and it wasn't fair to herself. They both smiled back at her.

Kevin glanced at the clock, and stood up. "I hate to cut this short, because this is so important to me, but you know that I am expecting a phone call from my mom tonight."

Laura smiled. "Sure, Kevin, I know... talk to you later then?"

Kevin kissed her and hugged her close. "Later..." he echoed, as she walked him to the door. "Later," he said once again with a warm smile, squeezing her hand as he walked out the door. Laura closed it once Kevin was out of site and leaned against the door, sighing heavily. She then walked back over to where Nick was sitting on the couch and sat down on the other end.

"So..." Nick said, breaking the silence.

"So..." Laura repeated. "I really meant it when I said that I hope things aren't gonna be weird between you and Kev. You're both so great, and such good friends. I--I couldn't live with myself if I knew I caused a strain between the two of you."

Nick moved closer to Laura. "Nooo, don't worry about it, Laura. I mean, I'm not gonna lie, I'm sure things will be awkward at first, but they'll get better. I know they will."

Laura sighed and smiled. "Good." She looked at Nick, taking his hand. "You OK? You still seem kinda distant."

"No, no, not distant. Just... thinking about your decision."

"Why? Do you not agree with it?"

"No, no, it's not that," Nick said, moving closer to Laura, now sitting right next to her. He put his arm around her and pulled her close. "I'm just thankful you chose me," he said with a smirk, leaning in to kiss her.

The kiss was like no other either of them had felt before. Lasting for what seemed like an eternity, they finally broke away and they looked into each other's eyes. Nick spoke first. "Can I ask you something?" he asked.

Laura nodded. "Sure," she said, and Nick leaned back on the couch, as did she, still in his arms.

"Why me?"

Laura sat up and looked at him. "What kind of question is that?" she said, caressing his cheek. "Why not you?"

"I know, I guess I should just be thankful--which I am--but I just want to know. What's wrong with that?"

Laura smiled. "Absolutely nothing is wrong with that," she assured Nick. "I don't know, I guess I just liked that you were a perfect mix of fun and seriousness. You could be playful and innocent one minute, and so grown-up and romantic the next. Life isn't always fun, but it's not always serious either. I mean, I don't wanna make it sound like I didn't have fun with Kevin. I did, but I just felt more free with you to be silly." Laura paused, as Nick smiled at her. "You probably think that's silly of me to base my decision on that, but, that's why. You asked, and now you know."

"Thank you," Nick said, kissing Laura on the forehead. "That's all I wanted to know," he said, moving his kisses down to her lips. Softly he placed kisses down her neck and back up to her lips. Laura moaned quietly as Nick's lips caressed her skin.

"We, uhhh," Laura said breathlessly, "ummm, we should go, Nick."

Nick stopped kissing her and looked into her eyes. "OK, where?" he asked, returning to kissing her neck.

Laura sighed as she replied, "My place..."