Chapter Three -Simply Irresistible! Cora flopped down on her bed. She couldn't believe how much work the boys had! She and her pals were just an opening act so they didn't have to do all the interviews, photo shoots, press conferences, fan meet and greets, charity events (although usually they attended those anyway), autograph signings, the list went on and on. Her music group, Nova, had practices - voice, choreography, running through full numbers, dress pick and a little stage work. Other than that, they were free! Alison came in and she too lay down on her own bed. "Uhg!" Was all she said. "I know!" Cora laughed looking at the ceiling, "Travel five hrs to Seattle by bus just to have a practice! And dance of all things!" "At least it's only two to a room!" Alison replied, "I can't believe I actually got up at 6:30 this morning! I'm mean 6 - fucking - thirty! I'm catching some shut eye . . . Are you feeling alright?" "Uh . . . yeah. My hands are shaking a little and I'm seeing these little dots," Cora told her, "But Grace warned me about that and she said it would go away very quickly." "That's gooooo . . . ." Alison murmured into her pillow. Cora sighed and tried to sleep, but it wasn't working. She couldn't help thinking about Nick. Now don't you dare go and fall for him!, Her broken heart warned, Don't you dare! Don't even think about it! He's got millions of girls who love him to death, Why would he fall for someone like you? Her inner critic demanded. He's got work, you've got work . . . You don't have time - Why bother? Her common sense added. Ms. Prim and proper piped up, It would be so unprofessional of you to even think of becoming involved with this young man! I don't like boys! Her inner child added, They're yucky! Did you see how he looked at me? He is soooo hot! I could just eat him! Her inner skank licked her lips. He's so sweet! He was even flirting with me and trying to cheer me up! What's so wrong with a little crush? Her inner romantic wondered. I want more than a little crush . . .Her heart murmured. *** Grace put her bag down and searched for her book. "Hello? Needful Things? Where are you?" She muttered away to herself. Grace heard a knock on the door. "Who is it?" She called. "I'm your room mate - Andrew," The voice called back. Grace hurried to the door and opened it part way. "There must be some mistake. Shouldn't I have a female room mate?" She asked. "Uh - no. See there was a mix up and it left us uneven," He replied, "But don't worry. I have a girlfriend and I'm not going to try anything. I think they figured that since you were medical personal, with defense-offense training, that it would be okay. But if you really want I could arrange for two separate rooms . . ." Grace thought for a moment. She'd always wanted a male room mate and she had a lot of close male friends. Grace gave him a smile. "Oh, I see. It's no problem at all." Andrew gave her a relived look as she let him in. "Great! I'm one of the dancers for the finale." "Oh really?" Grace asked, "You guys kick ass!" Andrew flashed her a smile. "Thanks." *** Lara was ecstatic. She couldn't stop thinking of all the possibilities. What could - would happen if she and Brian paired up. He really was her type too. Crazy, funny, active, athletic, friendly, musically talented, religious, caring . . . They even liked the same colour! Blue! Lara threw herself down on the bed with a large thud. "Urgh! Will you shut up and be quiet already!" Victoria screeched, "I'm trying to sleep! Aren't you tired? You are so annoying!" "Calm yourself dear - I'm sorry for disturbing you!" She snippily replied. Then Lara remember something Donna had told her about this place. "Tori, I'm going for a dip in the pool!" Lara announced "Good! Get out of my hearing range!" "Grrrrr . . ." Lara slipped into her suit and with a quick "Seeya!" Was out the door and away. *** Kevin landed on his king size bed with a groan. He loved having his own room, and now that they were finally making some money, it was possible. He heard a knock at the door. Unfortunately they still had adjoining rooms . . . "What do you want!?" Kevin demanded from the bed. "Yo Kevvy, it's B-Rok! Let me in!" Brian yelled through the door. With a sigh Kevin answered it, but he didn't let Brian in. "What?" he asked. "Kevvy, let me in!" Brian persisted. "Brian!" Kevin groaned, "I'm tired! I want to sleep! I have a half hour break and I'd like to use it for sleep!" Brian crinkled his nose. "This is important Kevin!" "Is it alright if I lie down while you talk?" "Sure . . ." Kevin conceded and let the door swing open. He flopped down on the big bed again, smushing his face into the floral bed spread. Brian sat down in a near by chair. " So, how do you like those girls?" He asked "This is the important thing you need to talk to me about? GIRLS?" Kevin muttered incredulously. Brian sighed, "Nice attitude Mr. Romance." "Brian we don't have time for girls! We already know that girls don't put up with our schedules! Besides it wouldn't be fair to them!" "What about the girls we're on tour with?" "Brian! I can't believe I just heard you say that! You know we don't encourage dating between coworkers! It's totally unprofessional! What if -" "I know the reasons! I just-" "Brian you will find someone someday," Kevin told his cousin, "But now is not the right time." Brian sighed again. "You're probably right . . ." *** Lara swam length after length. She could almost feel the endorphins running through her. This was nice. After about sixty lengths, she decided to warm down, and that's when she saw him watching her. "How long have you been standing there?" Lara smiled at Brian. He was fully clothed, leaning against the fence surrounding the pool. "Awhile . . ." He replied, "You like swimming?" She gave him a ‘gee kinda dumb question look', then smiled again. "Of course." Brian walked over and sat down beside the pool. "Is the water nice?" Lara thought for a second. She dove under and didn't come up again. He could see her swimming toward him underwater. What's she doing? He wondered. It hit him a moment too late. Two strong arms reached up and pulled him under the water. Brian barely had time to take a breathe. The arms pulled him back up to the surface. "Nice isn't it?" Lara said happily. Brian sputtered. He was quite pissed off. Then he looked into her eyes and it hit him how funny the situation actually was. Brian laughed, "Yes! Yes, it is very nice . . ." Lara gave him a sly smile. She had almost expected him to be mad. She definitely liked this guy. A strangely comfortable silence settle over the two. "You wanna?" They said at once, interrupting each other. They laughed again. Brian started. "Do you wanna have dinner with me tonight?" He asked, "Normally I'm not free, and it probably won't be that good, and it won't be for very long and the rest of the guys will-" "I'd love to," Lara cut in. "I like your friends and I know how busy you are. Don't worry I understand." She paused as something caught her eye. "Oh, your watch!" Brian looked down at his wrist. The gold Rolex was very, very wet. Brian crinkled his eyebrows, and looked up at her. Lara had this ‘I'm sooooo sorry! Oh shit I didn't mean too!' look on her face. "Brian- I'm so," She began. He cut her off with a wave of his hand. "Ah, I need a new watch anyway! About that dinner . . ."