Chapter 13
"So what made you pick the park?" Illana asked as they entered the parking lot.
"I dunno, I just wanted to get out of the house and away from the public. Don't feel like being around a lot of people." Nick explained, parking and turning the engine off.
Illana nodded and stared out the window.
"Come on." Nick smiled, opening the door. She turned and unlocked her door, and when to open it, when Nick beat her to it. She smiled. "Thanks." She slid out and started walking with Nick. She noticed he had a few blankets under his arm. She turned to ask him about them, when he brought his finger up to his mouth, silencing her. She looked at him puzzled as he set the blankets down on one of the tables, taking her hand and leading her over to the swing set.
Just when she thought she knew where he was coming from, he did something like this. Nick patted one of the seats, and again she went to ask him what he was doing, and he stopped her, patting the seat once more. Giving up, she walked over and sat down. She let out a little squeal as Nick gently pushed her, setting the swing in motion.
Nick pushed her for a while, when finally she couldn't stand it anymore, she couldn't stand the silence. "Nick?"
"Mmm?"
"Can I talk now?"
He laughed. "You always could talk Lana."
Lana? He called her Lana. No one ever used that nickname anymore. She bit her lip to keep from sighing contently. "You told me not to!"
"Didn't want you to ask what I was doing. I wanted to, surprise you."
"Oh sure. Anyway, so have you heard from Vanessa?"
"No."
"How do you, feel about that?"
"It's a change that's for sure. I've been used to talking to her everyday."
"How do you feel about the break up?"
Nick didn't answer right away, mainly because he didn't know how to answer. Part of him was still hurt, and the other part wasn't so sure. He'd had a lot of time to think about what was going on, what direction the relationship had been going. Maybe the time apart would help them.
"Nick?"
"Hmm? Oh, sorry. Well I'm not sure how I feel. I think the break up was a good thing. I've had a lot of time to think, and I think if we'd continued on, it would've gotten worse."
"Mmm. Maybe it is a good thing, and when you two do get back together, you'll both have clear minds to talk about it." She hadn't even realized that she'd stopped swinging until she heard Nick's voice right by her ear.
"Lana..." She jumped a little. "Nick...you scared me. I..."
"Shh..."
"There you go, shushing me again! I'm..." She was silenced this time, when Nick's finger gently rested on her lips.
"Just listen ok. Look up at the sky, at the stars." He whispered.
She swallowed hard, shifting her gaze to the sky above.
"Keep looking."
Suddenly there was a flash, and a small beam of light streaked by.
"Oh, oh Nick! Look, did you see that?! A shooting star, I just saw a shooting star!" Illana announced happily.
"Did you make a wish?"
She shivered at the husky sound of his voice. "I-I didn't know you could."
"Sure, you can. Go ahead." She shivered again, closing her eyes. "I don't know what to wish for though."
"Wish for what you want, what you dream of."
Biting her lip, she wished for what she wanted. "Someone like you." She opened her eyes to find Nick standing in front of her. He put his hand out for her to take and lead her over to the table. He let go of her hand and sat on the table, picking up one of the blankets and wrapping it around himself.
"Come here Lana." He whispered, holding one end of the blanket open.
She blinked and slowly made her way over, sitting next to him. She moved over next to him, and Nick drew her under his arm and covered her with the blanket. The heat from his body, quickly warming her chilled skin.
"That's better." He smiled. "It's getting kinda cool out here."
"Mmm hmm." She smiled; she didn't trust her voice. She felt Nick start running his hand up and down over her arm. Her heart started racing.
"Warm?"
"Yup, I'm all warm now thanks." She winked at him.
"Good. I figured we'd just sit here for a bit before we head back. Is that ok?"
"Oh, that's fine."
He nodded, and pulled her closer. He didn't know what had caused him to do this. He just needed to have her close to him. It all felt so right.
************************************************************************
They pulled into Illana's driveway and Nick got out and walked her to the door.
"You didn't have to do that you know. I would've made it here alright." Illana laughed.
"No problem Lana. You, don't mind me calling you that do you?"
"Nah, not at all. I used to get called that a lot, but not anymore. You're the only one."
"Ahh, well it'll be my name for you ok?"
She could feel her face burning. "Ok, sure."
"Aww look at that, you're blushing." Nick grinned.
"Shut up!"
"Isn't that cute!" He laughed.
"Oh you suck!" She chuckled, reaching out to hit him playfully, when he captured her hands in his.
"I do huh?" He murmured, pulling her closer.
"Umm, yeah. You do."
"I'm just bad ain't I?" Slowly he wrapped his arms around her waist.
Her eyes widened, close, they were very close. "You know you're bad, you said so in one of your songs." She winked.
"Ugh, don't remind me." He laughed.
"Oh you were so cute though! 'If you really like it hot, get someone who hits the spot baby!'" She laughed.
"Illana!"
" 'If you want it to be wild, gotta know just who to dial baby...and that's me!' So should I call you then?" She laughed harder.
"Definitely." He whispered.
Her laughter faded as Nick stared down at her, her gaze resting on his full lips.
"Nick..."
"Don't say anything."
She watched as his head started to move closer to hers, as she tipped her head up. It was inevitable, and they both wanted it, which is why they knew they had to stop. Looking into each other's eyes, they knew it was wrong. Quickly, they pulled away, Illana stepping out of his arms, the coolness of the air sweeping around her.
"Thanks for a wonderful evening Nick."
"Thanks for coming on such short notice."
"Anything for a friend."
The word hung in the air. Friend, that's all they were, that's all they'd ever be.
"Good night Lana."
"Good night Nick."
She turned and headed into her apartment, and Nick headed to his truck, getting inside and heading home.
