Nick finally appeared in a new outfit and a wet head.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," he said as we walked out. We got in his car and started driving to my house.

"Nick, I wanna make dinner for you for today. I haven't had any fun in a year," I said as we pulled into my driveway.

"You don't have to," he started.

"Please? Its not like I have anything else to do," I begged. He nodded and followed me in. I fixed dinner and we sat down.

"So, what do you do?" Nick asked bluntly.

"I'm head of a firm that works with attorneys and stuff," I said simply.

"Ooh a boss," Nick said a little surprised.

"I know its shocking. I'm so young to be the head I know. I only got this job through an ex and then I got promoted," I explained.

"How were you transferred then?" Nick asked confused.

"I relocated myself here, it was to painful in New York," I said as I cleared the dishes. Nick was still confused. Dinner was over, "Dessert?" I asked.

"Okay," he agreed. I searched for an appropriate dessert, but there was nothing.

"Oreos, okay?" I asked embarrassed.

"My favorite," he grinned.

"I guess you're wondering what I mean by pain," I said as we sat down on my couch to watch TV.

"Kinda," he admitted.

"Well, I met my true love, Dan. He was everything I wanted. He got a great job for me and I loved him, I did. The thing was I wasn't the first one to get to him. He had a wife and she was expecting. She forgave him, but it hurt me too much. Seeming him everyday. Then pictures of the baby came. It just hurt me so much I had to get out of there. I lived a year in hell up there so I came here. I came home," I explained.

"What a jerk," Nick muttered. I raised my eyebrows at him, "I know. I'm not that great with girls."

"But you'll change," I assured him and rubbed his arm, "I'll help you."

"How?"

"Stay with me. I'll set you straight. If you stay here at night or I'm just with you then it will help," I offered.

"I'll try," he replied.

"Well, I guess staying with me doesn't sound all that great, but just try to control you urges is all I'm saying," I reasoned.

"I understand," he agreed.

"So, how come you don't look for a girlfriend or anything. I mean in High School you did," I wondered.

"I, uh, just decided I wanted to have fun," he said uncomfortably.

"Oh," I replied unsatisfied. I could tell he was lying. We stayed silent and just watched TV. I started to fall asleep and I leaned on Nick's shoulder. He pulled the afghan off the back of the couch and spread it over us. He too soon fell asleep.

About an hour later I woke up and felt Nick's warm arm around me. He looked so peaceful with his head on mine. He probably didn't want to stay over so I gently shook him. He slowly opened his eyes.

"I wasn't sure if you wanted to stay over or not. You're definitely welcome I said stretching.

"I'll stay," he nodded.

"Lets go in my room then," I said helping him up. I led him to my room," Do you want some clothes to sleep in? Dan left me with plenty," I pointed out a box full of men's clothes.

"Nah, I just sleep in boxers," he shook his head. I changed into a spaghetti strap shirt and boxer shorts. We got in bed and faced each other, "Ali, I like you," he said bluntly.

"But you don't like anyone," I shook my head in disbelief.

"I know, but you're different," he confessed.

"I don't want a relationship right now," I admitted, "Lets just be friends for now. See where it leads us," I suggested.

"I guess that's all I could as for," he smiled.

"You don't have to ask. I'd always be your friend," I shrugged.

Nick smiled satisfied. "The guys are going swimming before all that media stuff tomorrow, you wanna come?" he offered.

"Yeah, I'll tag along with you guys tomorrow," I agreed.

"Great," he grinned. We fell asleep soon after. The next morning I woke up to the feel of warm arms around me. My arm too was on Nick's bare chest.

"Nicky, wake up," I said remembering he hated that name. I shook him gently.

"Its Nick, Ali-SON," he replied with his eyes still closed.

"Come on," I laughed getting out of bed. Just then the phone rang.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Ali, its Brian," his voice came over the phone.

"Hey Brian," I replied happily.

"Don't tell him I slept over," Nick whispered to me.

"Is Nick over there? I was wondering if he was still going swimming today," Brian said knowing the answer.

"Yeah, but he uh, he only came over to um, drop off my purse! I left it in his car last night and he invited me to came today," I replied relieved I found an excuse.

"Don't even try it Al. I know he slept over," he laughed," I saw his car out there all night."

"Sorry Nick, he knows," I smiled to Nick as he got dressed.

"Well, tell him I wasn't myself last night," he replied worried Brian would think bad things.

"Nick said to tell you he wasn't himself last night," I said into the phone.

"Good, so you guys are coming?" he asked just to check.

"Yeah, we'll seeya later," I said hanging up. I changed into my light blue bikini and we headed over to his house to get Nick's swimsuit.