I woke up the next morning to the sound of Finn barking like a mad man. It was 10:00 am, I guess I had slept through his previous attempts to get me up that morning.

I got out of bed and walked to the back door to let him out.

I threw the kettle on as I tried my best to open my eyes. I guess the long day yesterday in surgery really drained me. It was that or how I couldn't sleep due to my dinner date with Ryan tonight. I am not too sure what you would call it.

As I was deciding on what to have for breakfast my phone pinged and I looked down. It was Mer, she wanted to know if I wanted her to stop by later to help me get ready for, in her words "my hot date".

I smiled and texted her back "Sure come by around 3:00pm", as I didn't have to leave till at least 5:00pm.

She texted back , "I'll be there at 2:00pm, we need to have lots of time to choose the right outlift".

I just rolled my eyes and text back a thumbs up. This made me a little more nervous. Was this a date?

I tried all morning just to relax and not think too hard about it, after all it was just two old friends getting together to catch up after 6 years. That's all it could be anyways. Even if we both felt more, I was his surgeon and if it went past friends he would have to get a new one to do the operation.

I went for a long run as I still had some time before Mer was going to come by. I needed to clear my head and I was getting stir crazy in my house. By the time I got back I had exactly 30 minutes to shower before Mer cam by.

I hopped in the shower and got cleaned up. I threw on some sweats and combed out my hair. Just as I was finishing up, I heard a knock at the door and Finn start to bark.

I ran downstairs and opened it up. Mer was there with her extra large bag of make up and a smile. I shook my head.

"You know Mer, I do own make up you know", I said smiling and letting her in.

"I know, but this way we have options. I know you just have the basics," she said smiling and walking into the house.

"Ouch Mer, Ouch," I say, faking a knife to the heart.

"Well let's get started. First off where is he taking you?" She asked.

"About that. I am kind of going over to his house and he is going to cook for me." I say, knowing what is coming next.

"Oh my god this is huge. He's cooking for you at his place? This is very good." She says with the biggest smile.

"Now before you get all excited. We are doing this so it's more private, so we are not hounded by the paparazzi. There is nothing more to it." I say trying to hold her back.

"No no sweetie, he is trying very hard to impress you. You don't just do that for an old friend. I think there is more to his motive." She says getting all giddy.

"I think you are getting way ahead of yourself and even if there is something there. I can't go there. As his doctor it's not right and if something were to happen he would have to get a new surgeon and he wants the best. So we cannot be anything more than friends." I say with a little regret in my voice.

Mer gives me a big hug and says "Well let's just get through tonight and go from there."

We head into my room and start to go through some outfits. I tell her that I don't want to go too formal as it's at his house and I want to be comfortable. She looks through my stuff and starts to work her magic.

After about 7 different outfits and nothing that we both can agree on. She puts out on last outfit for me. It is skinny dark washed jeans with a black fitted top. I slip it on and it looks great. Causal, but not too casual. I smile and let her know it's perfect.

Mer then took to doing my makeup and hair. She choose to do a natural look with a little bit of pop in the eyes and lips. My hair was left down, with a waterfall braid.

"Oh Mer it's all perfect. Thank you so much." I said staring at myself in the mirror not really recognizing the girl looking back.

"You are more than welcome. Now go and let that man see what he let walk out of his life 6 years ago." She says with a smile.

I give her the biggest hug and walk her out to her car. I wave bye and turn and get into my little car. I plug in Ryan's address into my GPS and start the drive to his place.

On the drive there I start to think about all things that are going through my mind. Is this a date? Are his feelings more than just a friend? Am I going to get my heart broken again if he just wants to be friends?

I shake my head and try not to obsess top much about all these questions until I actually sit down with him and talk about things.

I get to the gated community that Ryan lives in and pull up to the guard tower.

"Who are you here to see miss and your name," the guard asks me.

"Alison Hudson and I am here to see Ryan Anderson," I say smiling at the guard.

"One moment please," he says and I see him pick up a phone and call Ryan.

I sit there looking around at all the houses and think to myself how beautiful they all are and how far Ryan has come from that little boy from Sioux Lookout.

"You are good to go Ms. Hudson. Mr. Anderson is expecting you, but he says no need to be so formal next time and just say Alley," he says with a smile and a little laugh.

"Thank you so much and I will remember that for next time," I say giving him a smile back and a wave.

The GPS takes me through a row of big houses and I still cannot believe that Ryan lives here.

I pull up in front of Ryan's house around 5:45 and sit there for a minute and try to compose myself and prepare myself for this dinner.

It's just dinner with your oldest friend Alley, I keep repeating to myself. Yeah your oldest friend who you have been madly in love with since you were 16 I say back to myself.

I get out after what seems like forever and walk up to the nice modestly sized house. I bring my hand up and ring the door bell and wait for Ryan to answer.