“Hey, get out of there,” a security guard yelled a few minutes later, running out of the hotel.
“Come on,” I screamed, grabbing Nick’s hand and staggering out of the fountain and running as fast as our soggy clothes would allow us.
As we rounded the building I collapsed next to my car in a fit of water and laughter.
“I can’t believe I did that,” Nick said, laughing as he slid to the ground next to me.
“Why?” I asked, smiling.
“Because you just don’t do it,” he answered.
“What a shame,” I said, shaking my head.
“Why?” he asked this time.
“Because it’s just one more wonderful thing you miss out on in life,” I answered, grinning.
“Never really thought of it like that.”
“Most people don’t. So now what, sunshine? What’s a Backstreet Boy doing outside one of O-Town’s finest hotels?” I asked, standing to unlock my car door.
“I thought you didn’t know who I was?”
“I don’t, but I do know Nick Carter is a BSB. So what are you doing here?” I repeated, reaching in and pulling out a blanket.
“I was having lunch next door. When I came out I saw you and thought I should try and keep you from getting arrested,” he explained.
“Such a gentleman. Hold this up and don’t peek,” I said, handing him the blanket than reaching for the hem of my shirt.
“What are you doing?” he demanded, his eyes wide with fear.
“Changing. I’m wet,” I said, smiling at the expression on his face.
“You are in the middle of a parking lot, Riley.”
“And you are holding a blanket. I’m almost done,” I promised.
A few moments later I was dressed in dry clothes and running a hand through my short blonde hair.
“I can’t believe you did that,” Nick mumbled.
“Waste of time just to drive home to change. Come on, sunshine. Live a little,” I teased. “I’m sure you’ve seen a few naked women before.”
The hint of red in his cheeks made me laugh again and I kissed him quickly.
“You are one cute kid,” I said, smiling.
“Me? I’m twenty years old. What about you? You can’t be more than sixteen,” he said, grinning this ridiculously adorable grin.
“I can and I am. I’ve got nineteen amazing years to rejoice over,” I answered.
“You are one amazing woman, Riley O’Brian,” he said, brushing my cheek.
“You aren’t so bad yourself, Nick Carter. So what are you up to for the rest of the day?”
“Well, right now I’m thinking I should head home to change. After that I thought I would spend the afternoon on my boat.”
“You have a boat?”
“She’s my pride and joy,” he beamed.
“So just how big of a hint would a girl have to give to get an invitation on said boat?” I asked, smiling.
“Not a big one. She might have to promise to let me cook her dinner though.”
“Sounds far. So how about it, sunshine. Want to cook me dinner?” I asked, grinning.
“You don’t even know me, Riley,” He pointed out.
“I thought that was supposed to be my line?” I teased. “And you don’t know me, Nick. Isn’t that the point? To get to know each other, to build a friendship, to find a little more magic in life?”
“You see things in this amazing light. How do you do that?” he asked.
“There is not enough time in life to ignore even one gift it gives you,” I answered, spinning around like a fool as if embracing everything at once.
That’s what I wanted to do too. I wanted to do some much, do everything before someone somewhere said it was time to give up my gift. I understood there would be a million things I wouldn’t do but I didn’t care about them. All I cared about where the things I was doing and was going to do before my time was up. All the beautiful things I was going to all in my hand, see with my ears, hear with my ears, love with my heart. And maybe in the end I would show a few others the magic they still had time to discover.
Links to other sites on the Web
Chapter 4
Back to Fan Fiction Index
Get your own Free Home Page