"This is your office?"

"No, but I like to come in here from time to time."

"Funny Kassidy."

"Yes this is my office."

"Cool. So will I be in the way?"

"No. I'm putting you to work," said Kassidy.

"You are?"

"Yep. Your first assignment is procuring caffeine. Take this money and go down to the coffee place on 2nd floor. I want a Mocha Chiller with whip cream and get whatever you want."

"OK."

"Grace you can also look around the building. It's an interesting place."

"All right."

Grace disappeared and Kassidy got to work. She checked email and voicemail. She was working on emails when one of her co-workers knocked.

"Hey Kev. Whass'up?"

"Nothing much. Wanted to say hi and see how things are going."

"Good. Have you heard any rumblings about staff this afternoon?"

"Lawrence is playing golf with a new client."

"In other words, no staff meeting."

"That would be my guess. So Jody's after work?"

"Can't today. One of the reasons why is standing behind you with my caffeine."

The guy moved saying, "Oops."

"Excuse me," said Grace, stepping past him.

"Grace Johnson meet Kevin Wadkins."

"Nice to meet you," said Grace, shaking Kevin's hand.

"Likewise. Grace...Grace...Oh I remember, you're the girl Kassidy chaperoned for the Backstreet Boys trip."

"That's me."

"So what's the other reason you can't have drinks with me after work?"

"Some other friends are in town."

"Oh I see how you are. I'm only good enough to hang with when other people aren't in town," teased Kevin.

"I think that pretty much sums it up," said Kassidy with a smirk.

"Oh here just take my beating heart out of my chest. It would be less painful."

"But messier. Now go back to your office and do some work. You know your job."

"Fine. Have fun Grace."

"Thanks."

Kevin walked down the hallway whistling. Grace had a strange expression as she looked at Kassidy.

Kassidy asked, "What?"

"He likes you."

"Yeah, he's a good buddy."

"No I mean he really likes you," stressed Grace.

"Nah."

"How old is he?"

"My age."

"Married?"

"No."

"Ever been?"

"No."

"Don't you think he's cute? I do."

Kassidy stopped and thought for minute before responding, "Yeah he's cute, but I'm telling you we are just friends."

The phone ringing stopped the conversation. They got down to work. Grace helped Kassidy catch up filing. At 11:00, they got some visitors.

"Well ello, ello," greeted AJ.

"Ello yourself. Hello everyone. What are you all doing here," asked Kassidy.

Leighanne answered, "They wanted food and we came to invite you guys."

"Wow small crowd alert."

"Hey Kev. Want to go to lunch with us," asked Kassidy.

"OK, but who is us? Although some of you do look familiar."

As they left the office, Kassidy introduced everyone. They went down to the restaurant, Jody's, on the ground level of the office building. The owner, Jody was in and greeted Kassidy and her party warmly. He ushered them into the private dining room. Kassidy's co-worker, Kevin fit right in. He and Kevin Richardson got a kick out of both answering every time someone said Kevin. Angie visibly relaxed when Kassidy sat between her co-worker and Grace. Nick on the other hand was very quiet. Kassidy assumed it was because Angie was there and he didn't want to deal with another tantrum.

After lunch, Grace headed to the studio with everyone. Kassidy and Kevin went back to work. Grace felt a bit out of place with AJ's girlfriend, Melody Fisher, with him. She had gotten use to just hanging out with him. He was still his usual huggie-self, but Grace didn't feel right. It was even harder because she liked Melody. Melody was goofy and sweet. She was also gorgeous. Melody had decided Grace would have to go shopping with her and Leighanne the next day.

Kassidy arrived at the studio after work. She enjoyed listening to the guys work. She met the engineer they were working with on the project. She sat at the board with him. She had once thought she might like being a recording engineer, but realized she didn't have the patience for it. If she were going to work in a studio, she would prefer singing, but she didn't really have those aspirations either. She had found a creative outline in designing WebPages and helping companies get started.

The guys took a break when dinner was delivered. Kassidy divided her time watching Grace and Nick. Grace was putting up a brave front. Kassidy knew how much it was killing her to watch AJ and Melody. Melody was a good girl, but Kassidy got the feeling she wasn't as into AJ as he was into her. Then there was Nick. He was not talking to her at all. Once she caught his eye, but he quickly looked away. At one point, Angie left the studio to make a call and Kassidy took the opportunity to talk to Nick. She asked Grace to be her look out. As much as she wanted to talk to Nick, she just as badly wanted to make sure there were no repercussions if Angie caught them talking.

"Hey Nick."

"Hey Kassidy," said Nick, nervously looking at the door and saw Grace.

"Don't worry, Grace is keeping an eye out for Angie. I don't want to cause you any trouble."

"OK. Thanks."

"Nick are you OK?"

"Me? Sure. So you're dating that Kevin guy huh?"

"What? No," exclaimed Kassidy. "He is just a friend."

"But I thought..."

"Well you thought wrong. Nick you ever need to talk I'm a phone call away."

"Thanks Kassidy."

"And if you ever need a place to get away, my door is always open. Talk to you later."

Nick watched her walk away just before Angie walked in. For reasons unclear to Nick, knowing Kassidy wasn't dating that Kevin guy made him feel better. The good feeling was diminished as Angie started whining about wanting him to take her shopping the next day. Angie was his first love, his first almost everything, but she had changed. It had been gradual, but it had happened. It was getting harder to see the person he fell in love with. Luckily they went back to work and he didn't have to think anymore.

It was 1am when the guys finished for the night. Everyone was saying good night. Nick made the mistake of holding Kassidy too long when they hugged good night. Angie was livid. She didn't wind down on yelling at him until 4am.

Grace went shopping the next day with Leighanne and Melody. They ran into Nick and Angie at the mall. Grace watched Nick be led around. It was clear he didn't want to be there, but Grace knew that Angie usually got her way with Nick. Grace also noticed out tired he looked. At one point, he caught her looking at him and gave her a weak smile. Grace decided to tell Kassidy about all she had observed.

"I'm telling you he's not happy," said Grace later that evening over dinner at Kassidy's.

"I know that Grace but what am I suppose to do about it?"

"I don't know, but something," stated an exasperated Grace.

"I wish I could. Unfortunately the only person who can get Nick out of this is Nick."

"I know you're right, but it's hard."

"Just like it's hard to watch AJ and Melody."

"Yes, but Melody is nice."

"I know she is. I hate to say it but I think AJ is heading for a fall."

"Why?"

"I think Melody is not as hung up on him as he is on her."

"You noticed that too?"

"Sure did," replied Kassidy. "But that is another one we can't do anything about."

"Yep and it sucks."

"Sucks big time."