Ever since Lila and Justin had moved into Kevin's house, he had noticed that he didn't dread coming home like he used to. But then again, it was always cold and dark whenever he'd come in from a long meeting or a long day at the studio. Now, it was full of life.
The guys had a company dinner thing to go to and Kevin had finally gotten Lila to agree to accompany him. He couldn't wait. It wasn't 'officially' a date..but he kinda liked to think it was. It was formal so LeighAnne and Sarah had come over a few days earlier and taken Lila with them to find dresses. Lila hadn't let him even get a peek at her dress, saying it would ruin the surprise.
Denise, AJ's mom, offered to take care of Justin for the night. Lila was becoming a little aprehensive about leaving Justin, but knew it had to come at some time or another.
Kevin adjusted his tie one last time and walked to the bottom of the staircase, "Lila???"
"I'm coming!"
"Do you need help with Justin?"
"No, I'm coming right now!"
"Alright..," He replied going back to the living room.
Lila came down the stairs, Justin in one arm, his bag in the other. Kevin saw her and smiled, "You sure you don't need help?"
She reached the kitchen and put the bag on the counter, "Now I don't. So..what do you think?"
It was then, Kevin got his first real look at Lila. The dark blue dress clung to her curves perfectly, reaching her ankles. It was cut low in the front, but not so low it was indecent, it flared just a bit from the hips downward. "You look..amazing."
"Really?"
"Really.," He said taking Justin from her, "Doesn't your mommy look pretty??"
Justin laughed and began to play with Kevin's tie. Lila smiled planting a kiss on the baby's head, "Was that a yes?"
"Sure..we'll say it is..so you ready?"
"Yea.."
Justin had taken a liking to Denise almost immediately; though he had meet her before at one of the guys' meetings so Lila didn't feel as bad about leaving Justin for the evening.
Kevin pulled the car into the line of cars being let out at the hotel the dinner was being held at. Lila's eyes widened at the sight of all the people, "I didn't know so many people were gonna be here..."
"You think this is alot?"
"Well..yea..."
He smiled, "This is about normal."
"I don't know about this Kev.."
He took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze, "Everything'll be fine. I promise."
"Ok..I'm just nervous.."
"Don't be. We'll be inside before you know it and you'll know everyone at our table."
"okay.."
The car pulled forward and Kevin got out, the valet handing him a small slip of paper. Kevin then opened Lila's door, helping her out. The flashes of cameras that went off shocked her a little, she wasn't expecting that. Kevin kept a tight hold on her hand as they walked the press line; the photographers yelling and begging for pictures. Kevin leaned in towards her, "We have to stop, but not for long..just smile and look towards them...it'll be over before you know it."
"You didn't tell me about this Kevin.."
"I know..I'm sorry..I didn't think it'd be all of these people though...we'll only have to do this once.."
She nodded, "Ok."
They stopped and the photographers took picture after picture of them until Kevin's security came out and escorted them in.
Lila was relieved when she was finally seated at their table with the other guys and girls. Nick was the only one without a date and didn't look too happy. After dancing with AJ and Kevin, Lila finally asked Nick to dance.
"What's the matter Nick?"
"Nothing."
"Uh huh...come on, tell me. I'm a pretty good listener."
He sighed, "I'm just bummed for some reason tonight..."
"That you don't have a date?"
"Well..that's kinda it..I mean, everyone else does."
"So? You don't have to do what everyone else does, do you?"
"No..I guess not...but you even came with Kev.."
She smiled, "I know..he finally convinced me too.."
"Do you like him?"
"Of course I do..he's my friend."
"No..I mean, as more than a friend..."
"You're not going to tell him, are you?"
He gave her a LOOK, "Of course not Lila.."
"I think I do..well..I know I do. But..I feel kinda guilty.."
"Because of Justin?"
"Well..no..not because of Justin..he'll always come first. But because of Scott..I loved him..."
"But you're allowed to love more than one person."
"I know that..I guess I'm just..scared. I mean, what if he doesn't feel the same way back? I don't think I can handle getting hurt again..."
"You don't know till you try."
She smiled, "True. And just when did you get so smart Nick?"
He shrugged, "I dunno.."
"You feel any better?"
He smiled, "Yea...a little."
"Ok..good."
Lila walked out onto the balcony of the hotel to get some fresh air. The night was winding down, slowly, and Kevin had told her they would be leaving soon. She was glad she came, this had been alot of fun. Although she didn't know whether she was too comfortable with the fact some people who didn't even know her had taken her picture or not.
Kevin had been looking for her for a few minutes and smiled when he finally found her. She was leaning against the railing, the wind softly blowing her hair.
He cleared his throat to let her know he was out there, "Hey.."
She turned, smiling, "Hey.."
"You okay?"
"Yea..I'm fine. I just came out to get some fresh air.."
He nodded, "Ohhh.."
"You almost done?"
"Yea..just about. We're waiting for our manager to get back...then we can leave.."
"Oh okay.."
He stood beside her and looked over, "It's pretty out tonight.."
"Yea..the perfect evening for one of these things."
"Yeah...you okay with leaving Justin?"
"Well..let's just say I'm a little more apt to now.."
"I told you he'd be fine."
"Yea..you did..I'm glad I listened to you."
"Me too..cause it means I got you to come out with me.."
She smiled, "You begged me, remember?"
"I did NOT beg Lila."
"Oh whatever!"
"I didn't!"
"Uh huh.."
He smiled, "I did not.."
She shivered slightly from the breeze and smiled when he put his arm around her shoulders. "Kev?"
"Hmmm...?"
"Do...do you think that Scott hates me?"
"He would never hate you Lila..why do you think that?"
She shrugged, "I just..I feel so guilty."
"Why do you feel guilty?"
"Because...Kevin..I'm feeling a whole hell of a lot more for you than I should..."
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