"I can't believe you'd never been to Chili's before?"

Nick and I walked out to his car after what I thought was a very romantic date. I also think any place that serves molten lava cake is top tier.

"I can't believe you told them it was my birthday and it wasn't," he said opening my car door for me.

I snickered his face had gotten so red when they started singing to him. "Isn't your birthday in a few weeks? Besides how else were we going to get a free dessert?"

"Maya Scott, you are so cheap."

I shrugged. "You say that like it's a bad thing. You helped me eat the cake." And he loved it.

He shook his head at me before closing the passenger side door to go over to the driver's side. If Rhonda didn't teach me anything else she taught me how to scam a free dessert.

Nick turned on the heater blasting me with warm air and the scent of leather. I love the way his cars smell. And that they're always so clean.

Slipping his fingers through mine, he backed out of the spot with ease.

"Why do you like cars so much?" I asked out of curiosity. Rephrasing the question, I asked, "I mean when did you get into them?"

Pursing his lips together, he thought about it for a moment before saying, "I guess it started when I was a kid. Every Friday my Dad would switch cars, never wanting to be seen in the same car twice." He looked over at me. "Pretentious, I know."

"Very."

"Anyways," he continued, "I would get so excited on Friday afternoons when I would come home and there'd be a shiny new car in the garage. He treated them like toys, but they were so much more to me, like pieces of art. All of them so different from one another. When I was fourteen, he let me drive one of his Ferrari's around the neighborhood. I didn't even have a learners permit yet." He smiled at the memory. "I almost wrecked it."

"Is that how you learned how to drive?"

"Sort of. I still had to take driver's ed, but by the time I took it. I had already been driving around with Crystal." He paused realizing he had just mentioned his ex-girlfriend.

"It's okay if you talk about her," I told him. "She's a big part of your life."

"I just don't want it to be weird you know," he said nervously.

"She's dating my best friend, remember?" I chuckled. "I don't think it can get much weirder than that."

"You're right." He brought my hand to his lips, kissing the back of it. "You should meet her, she would like you."

"I'm sure we'll meet eventually." If she and Tasha are a couple, I'm sure she'll be coming around more often. I hope they last, Tasha never stays in relationships for very long, but she seems to really like Crystal so maybe it will last.

"Maybe I should have another party and you two could meet then," he suggested with a cheesy smile.

"That won't be necessary." Besides that would put more pressure around it than it needs to be.

"We can just get coffee or something." His nose scrunched up at the mention of coffee he still hadn't come around to it, but I would get him to like it. "And a smoothie for you."

"That sounds like a great idea." I rolled my eyes, he's so picky.

We drove the few minutes it took to get to his neighborhood talking about different things we could do over his Christmas break. I suggested we take a road trip somewhere, while Nick, always so over the top, suggested we go to Seattle to see the Orca pods. We watched Free Willy once, and he's been fascinated by them ever since.

"We could drive to New York and stay a few days," I suggested, "I could get Nia or Tasha to cat sit." Probably Tasha since she'd kill to have an apartment all to herself for a few days. "I'm sure I can get a few days off work."

"Anything you want," he said looking over at me. Innocently batting his long lashes at me, "As long as we're home on Christmas so Santa he can bring you your presents."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "I hope Santa doesn't over do it."

He shrugged with a smirk. He's up to no good, I can tell.

We've had this conversation about presents before, and he had basically brushed me off about my concerns being cute to avoid an argument. I let it go for the moment, but I would not be comfortable with accepting extremely extravagant gifts. A necklace, maybe, but I know Nick well. He doesn't do anything lightly when it comes to money.

The guard at the gate waved us through without a second glance. As we got deeper into the neighborhood, I felt him grow tense next to me. He was anxious.

I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze and prayed that there was a letter in the mail for him. He whipped into his driveway stopping at the brick mailbox. Rolling down his window, he reached into his mailbox and pulled out at least two days worth of mail.

"Check it. Check it! See if it's in there," Nick demanded, shoving the stack of mail in my hands.

He continued driving down his long driveway while I went through the envelopes searching, hoping, to see a letter from the Kennedy Institute. I wanted this for him. I wanted him to get in.

He slammed on the brakes causing me to jerk forward slightly. "Jesus," I muttered under my breath.

"Sorry," he apologized. "But do you see anything?"

"I don't think--," I started to say but then I saw the white envelope with the red Kennedy Automotive Institute emblazoned on the front. "It's here!"

His eyes got wide as I held out the envelope. "Oh my God," he uttered taking it from me. He stared down at it in disbelief. "I'm nervous."

"I'm sure it's good news." I didn't let it show on the outside but I was nervous too. What if he didn't get in? Would he still go to that school in Miami? What would happen to us? Would we do long distance--could we do long distance?

"Let's go inside," he said looking over at me, "I don't want to open it in the car."

"Okay."

We got out of the car and went inside stopping in the kitchen.

Unlike at his party, I was able to look around and take in how grand everything in his house was, it seemed so much bigger without a bunch of sweaty teens in it. I set my bag on the big white marble counter.

Suddenly, Nick turned to me and said, "I want you to open it."

He tried to put it in my hands, but I pushed it away. "No, this is your letter you have to open it."

He looked like he wanted to fight me on it, but he pursed his lips together and gave me a slight nod. "Okay," he said quietly.

Flipping the envelope over, he began to tear at the seal. I caught myself holding my breath as he opened the letter. For an acceptance letter, the envelope seemed very thin. Maybe they don't send out extravagant packets like at other schools.

"I got an interview," he breathed.

"An interview? Is that good?"

"Yes," he hesitated, "At least I think so, it's not a rejection."

"When is it?"

Scratching his forehead, he said, "Uh, two weeks from now. It's on a Saturday."

Two weeks. In two weeks we will know. "That's exciting, Nick!" I pinched his cheeks like he always does mine. "You're going to get in, I promise. Don't worry about it."

He pulled me forward and kissed me until I was breathless.

"What was that for?" I said trying to catch my breath.

"Thank you," he said just as breathless as I was. "I wouldn't even have an interview without you."

I put my arms around his neck, leaning further into his embrace. "Yes, you would. You would have found a way to get it."

"Maybe, but it wouldn't be as fun without you."

"I can't argue with you there," I smiled. I looked at his almost perfect face. His perpetually messy blonde hair, ever-changing blue eyes, and nicely sculpted jaw. How did I get so lucky?

"You should show me your house," I said before I could get too emotional. "I want a tour."

He lifted me up and spun me around. "Well, here's the kitchen. I eat here."

"Oh my gosh, you eat in your kitchen," I gasped, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "I can't believe it."

"You and your witty comebacks," he smirked.

"Now put me down," I grinned, "Show me the rest I know there's so much more than a garage and a kitchen."

He set me down so my feet touched the floor. "You're right, there's also a bathroom."

"Hah hah hah, you're so funny."

He took my hand in his giving it an encouraging tug. "Come on, I'll show you the rest."

****

"And this is where the magic happens."

Nick directed me in his room with a dramatic sweep of his arm. He'd showed me the rest of the house, and it had been--glorious.

Each room was better than the next, it was like an interior designers playground.

My personal favorite was the theater. Huge and fit with the most comfortable reclining seats, I never wanted to leave. Nick said his Dad would even get films before they went to the theaters sometimes.

"And what type of magic are you doing in here, exactly?" Because he hasn't been in here with me.

"You know like the close up kind like with the quarters and stuff," he said barely covering for himself.

"Yeah....right."

He cleared his throat. "Look around."

He didn't have to tell me twice, I was already looking.

I vaguely remember it from his party a few months ago. The room was as big as my apartment, and it was spotless. I know he has a housekeeper, but I can't imagine it gets too dirty, he's never home.

His bed took up a good portion of the far wall, no wonder he complained about my bed his made mine look tiny. It was twice the size of a king, I mean who needs that much bed?

I looked around at the stuff I hadn't seen before, his bathroom, his closet. All very nice, his shower doubled as a steam room. Nick lagged behind as I made my way around the room.

Alone in his closet, I took the opportunity to snoop. I'm not usually a nosey person, but I couldn't help myself I wanted to see what he had.

He has so many clothes, all designer, of course. I hoped I could convince him to wear one of his cashmere sweaters on Thanksgiving. As I was rifling through one of the many built-in drawers, Nick snuck up behind me.

Snaking his hands around my waist, he said, "Are you looking for something?"

I jumped, caught red-handed.

"Nothing in particular," I said trying to play it cool.

"Really, because it looks like you found something you like." He pulled the t-shirt out of my hands. "Were you planning on taking this?"

"No," I lied, "I was just looking at it."

Amused, he hummed. "I'm not sure I believe you."

I looked at him, narrowing my eyes. "I wasn't going to take it...but even if I was I would have given it back to you."

He dropped the t-shirt back in the drawer. "First, you're staring at me while I'm sleeping now you're stealing my clothes. I think you might be a little obsessed with me."

"I think it's the other way around." I swatted at one of the strings on the hoodie of mine that he wore. "You're wearing my clothes."

I felt my skin grow warm as he brushed lips down my neck. "Maybe I am obsessed with you."

"Okay," I exhaled, closing my eyes. I felt my knees going weak he knew what he was doing.

"Just okay."

"Mhhm." I wasn't focused on anything except his mouth and hands.

Turning in his arms I redirected his attention from my neck back up to my lips. His hands began to roam under my shirt. They felt rough over the smooth skin of my back and stomach. We stumbled back into his bedroom shedding our clothes along the way.

He began to fumble with the band of my bra as he searched for the clasp.

"Nick, it's in the front," I told him softly.

"Oh." He quickly found the clasp in the center of my chest. "I found it."

"Good job."

"Told you I can do close up magic." He winked at me. He's so corny, but that made him even more attractive to me.

"Let me try," I said before slipping off my sweatshirt that he wore and the t-shirt he wore underneath. "Looks like I can do it too."

Nick and I fell into bed now practically naked.

"Have I told you how perfect you are?" Nick said staring down at me.

"You have." It was weird being looked at the way he was looking at me. I mean guys have seen me naked before, but they never looked at me the way Nick looks at me. I know I'm not what society normally defines as beautiful, I'm dark-skinned and I'm not stick thin, but I think I am. And Nick makes me feel ten times that when he looks at me.

He slipped off what little clothing I had left. "Good." I ran my hands down his chest amazed by how toned he was. His arms were my favorite, not too big, but still strong.

He reached into his bedside table and pulled out three types of condoms.

"Ribbed, non-ribbed, or warming?" he asked holding them out for me to choose.

"Uh, I get a choice?" This is the first time this has ever happened to me before.

"Yes."

"Ribbed, I guess, as long as it does it's the job I don't think it matters. You have such a variety."

Tossing the packets back in the drawer he said, "I just use what my housekeeper buys for me."

Shocked, I asked, "Your housekeeper buys you condoms?"

"Well, yeah," he shrugged. "She always buys them for me."

I knew they stocked personal items, but I didn't know things got that personal.

"Oh, sweet little rich boy, his housekeeper buys his condoms," I teased him.

He rolled his eyes at me. "I already regret telling you that."

I smiled. "Too late. I'm going to make fun of you for it forever, does she buy your underwear too?"

His lack of response gave me my answer--she did.

I laughed uncontrollably. "She buys your underwear!" I laughed so hard tears leaked out the sides of my eyes.

"I liked it better when we weren't talking," Nick said, unamused.

Placing my hands on either side of my face, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings." I choked back another burst of laughter that threatened to come up. I didn't think he would appreciate me laughing in his face any longer.

"You didn't hurt my feelings," he lied.

"Sure I didn't." I kissed along his jaw, trying to make him not mad at me anymore. "Tell me you forgive me anyway."

"I forgive you," he exhaled. "You're crazy."

I smiled, "But you're still in love with me?"

Wrapping his arms around me, he said, "We'll see."

"We'll see!" I laughed, he has to be kidding.

He snickered into my shoulder. "Yep." He put his mouth over mine, and just like that, all conversation about his underwear and housekeeper was over.

"I don't get it." I stretched out in Nicks bed. Here there was more than enough room for him and I to fit comfortably.

"What don't you get?" Nick asked pulling me closer. We laid bare chest to bare chest, his sheets tangled around our legs.

"I don't get why you come to my place so much when you have all this. You have everything you could ever want or need here, so why do you insist on sleeping on my couch."

"I like your couch it's very comfortable."

"Yeah, but not as comfortable as this," I said spreading my arms out wide in his huge bed. "It's like sleeping on clouds."

"I guess so," he replied, unimpressed. He looked at the room distastefully.

"Why don't you like it here?" I asked him.

He shrugged. "It's cold here."

"You don't have a heater?"

He laughed at me. "No, not like that. It's just there's nothing that makes this place feel like a home. It doesn't feel like anyone lives here. Sure it has everything anyone could ask for, but once you have it, you realize that none of it really means anything. It all gets boring after a while."

I brushed a hand across his forehead. "Well, you can sleep on my couch as much as you want."

"Is your bed off limits?"

"Oh, now my bed's not too small for you," I asked with a raised brow.

"It could be a little bigger, but I can adjust."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. I wonder what Charlie is doing." I had never left him alone overnight before, and I was a little nervous about it.

"Probably finding a way to get in the cabinet where you keep the treats," Nick guessed. "I caught him looking at it the other day."

"God, I hope not." When we got him he was so thin and now I'm afraid that he's gaining too much weight too quickly. He's getting a little belly. "I think I should cut down on the treats."

Nick frowned. "Why?"

"Because I don't want him to get fat. And if we keep feeding him tons of treats he's going to get fat."

"Don't drag me into this," he said, "I give him the instructed amount."

"Well, aren't you special," I said snidely.

Laughing, he burrowed his face in my neck. "I am special."

"I'm thirsty," I said, my throat suddenly dry.

"The fridge is full downstairs. I can go get you something," he offered.

Sitting up, I said, "I can get it. I won't get lost." I grabbed his t-shirt off the floor and put it over my head. It barely covered anything, stopping right at the tops of my thighs, so I slipped my underwear on as well.

"I'll meet you down there in a minute I have to go to the bathroom first."

"Okay, I'll see you there."

His house was kind of scary at night. Completely silent, I had this haunting feeling like someone was going to sneak up behind me and grab me or something. I know it's ridiculous, but there's so much space it would be easy for someone to hide.

As nice as this place is, it's ridiculous that it was built for only three people. And two of those people don't even live here! Nick barely does. It's all just going to waste.

The automatic lights in the kitchen popped on as soon as I stepped foot on the marble floor. I opened the double doors to the expansive fridge; it was full from top to bottom with food but more importantly drinks. I bent over to grab a bottled water from the bottom compartment. When I heard a voice come from behind me.

"Well, isn't this a nice welcome home."

I snapped up, screaming as I tried to cover my lower half with my hands. A man with dark blonde hair, blue eyes, and a golden tan stood on the other side of the kitchen. His white button-down had the first few buttons undone at the top to show off his toned chest, and he wore a small smile on his face.

"Why are you screaming? You're the stranger here not me," He looked me up and down, checking me out. "Who are you anyway?"

"Maya! Maya, are you okay?" Nick yelled rushing into the kitchen stopping in his tracks when he saw the man standing in the kitchen. "Dad? What are you doing here?"

His dad! His dad just saw me with no pants, his dad was looking at me with no pants as we speak. Oh my god!

Nick's dad threw his hands up. "Why is everyone acting like I'm not allowed to be here? This is my house," he laughed light-heartedly.

Nick stepped in front of me to hide me from his father's prying eyes. "Sorry," Nick said his voice tight. "It's just you didn't call like you normally do."