Part
7
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Are you sure?" Nick asked her.
"What did I say?" Alex wondered.
"Okay, nothing," Nick agreed, not
believing her. The elevator opened with a ding! Nick led the way through the
hotel and out to the sidewalk. They walked in silence until a small little
dachshund ran up to Alex.
"Oh, Aren't you just the cutest little dog on
earth," she said picking up the tiny dog. "He doesn't have a collar.
Do you think he's a stray Nick?"
"Probably."
"Can I keep him?" Alex asked like a child
would.
"Sure."
"Really? I was only joking," Alex looked
at Nick.
"Why not? It'll drive everyone nuts," he
said with a smile. Alex carried the dog all the way to Big Apple Bagles. Nick
held open the door for her.
"You go ahead," Alex said sitting on a
bench.
"Huh?" Alex pointed to a sign on the
door. No Shirt, no Shoes, no service. No Pets.
"What do you want? I'll bring it out for
you," he said with a smile.
"Um. Chocolate chip bagel. Strawberry cream
cheese please," she said, laughing as the little dog licked the palm of
her hand.
"Chocolate chip. Strawberry cream
cheese," Nick said making sure he'd gotten it right before going into the
store
They ate their breakfast on the bench and continued
on to the hospital.
"Dr. Willis," Nick said, "Appointment
for Alexandria Devereaux," he told the receptionist who stared at him with
recognition.
"Alex," a nurse called. Nick followed as
she took her blood pressure and all that. "The doctor will be with you in
a moment," she said.
"Okay," Alex said looking at Nick who
grinned back.
"Alex, I'm Dr. Willis," A young man with
light brown hair said walking in. "Nice to see you again, Nick."
"Same here, doc." Nick noticed the look
Alex was giving him. "The last time the group was here, I pulled some muscles.
He checked them out."
"Oh," Alex said.
Twenty minutes later, Alex was told she could go.
She was in excellent condition.
"Thank you, Dr. Willis," Alex said.
"Anytime Alex," he said. "Take care
of this one, Nick. She's a keeper," he said making Alex blush.
"Yes sir," he said seriously.
"So, how do you feel about going shopping?
Clothes and stuff?"
"Okay, I guess. But what about him," she
pointed at the dog that had been following them around.
"I called Drew when I was getting breakfast.
He's right over there waiting," he pointed to a corner where Drew was
standing, looking for them.
"Oh."
"Drew!" Nick called.
"Hey. How you doing Alex?"
"Okay."
"Here's the dog. See ya."
"You're welcome bro," Drew said.
"Thanks."
"Have fun shopping!" Drew called as he
carried the dog back to the hotel.
"We will!" Alex called as Nick grabbed
her hand and pulled her away.
Alex hadn't thought that shopping with Nick would
be that much fun. She was surprised that it was. And the fact that he was
buying anything she said she liked. She knew he was generous, but she didn't
know how generous. Until now, that is.
Hotel Lobby. . .
"We have a performance tonight."
"We do?"
"The guys and me," Nick said.
"Oh."
"You're coming. And sitting just off to the
side of the stage."
"Oh I am, am I?" Alex asked.
"Yes, you are," Nick said. "Now go
upstairs and change."
"Yes, Sir," Alex saluted.
"Go!" Nick pushed her into the elevator.
