“Are you sure you are okay?”, Brian asked handing her a cup of hot chocolate. “I’m fine Brian. I’m safe now.”, she said crawling into his arms on the couch. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there sooner.”, Brian apologized. “Brian it wasn’t your fault. I just want to forget about it.”, Haley said yawning. “You ready for bed?”, Brian asked stroking her hair. “Yeah. Which bedroom is mine?”, Haley asked. “What do you mean which bedroom is yours? You can share a room with me you know. Two people can sleep in the same bed without doing anything.”, Brian said sweetly. “You are the sweetest man on this earth.” “Thank you. Let’s go to sleep.”

*The next morning*

“What is on your agenda today?”, Brian asked pouring two cups of coffee. “Well I am going to go try to find a job at a hospital or a clinic, then I am going to go talk to Kameron about setting her up with AJ.”, she said sipping the coffee. “Are you sure you want to try to find a new job so soon? You can take a little time off you know.”, Brian said placing his hand over hers. “No. I love my job and I want to do it again. I am a people person.” “You have a good head on your shoulders.”, he said getting up and walking to the sink. He washed his cup and put it in the cabinet. “I have to go to the studio. Here is my cell phone number and the address to the studio if you need me. I should be there all day.”, he said writing down the information on a piece of paper. “Thanks babe.”, she said kissing him goodbye. “Bye honey.” “Bye sweetie! I hope you find a job!”

By lunch time Haley had found a job. The Walnut Clinic downtown was very impressed with her resume. A nurse had quit a few days earlier and they were looking for a replacement so they hired her on the spot. She was supposed to start on Monday. “Now I have to go see Kameron.”, she said pulling into Kameron’s driveway. She had rented a car until she could get one of her own. “Hey girl! What’s up?”, Kameron said answering the door. “Not much. I got a job downtown so I figured I would come by and see you.” “That’s great. I’m on vacation. I go back to work on Monday.” “I have to ask you something.”, Haley said sitting down. “What?”, Kameron asked curiously. “Well, what do you think of AJ McLean?”, Haley asked expectantly. “AJ McLean?!? He is a stud if I ever saw one!”, Kameron exclaimed. “Good! He thinks you are hott too!”, Haley said laughing. “He what?! How does he know what I look like?” “I showed him that picture last night of you and me at the lake in Lexington. He likes you an awful lot.” “Really? I think he is so gorgeous. He is my type of guy. When I saw him in that “Quit Playing Games” video I nearly fainted girl!” The girls laughed. “So, do you wanna come with me to the studio? The guys are recording there today and Brian said I could drop by.” “Sure! I want to meet AJ!” Kameron locked her house up and the girls walked to Haley’s car.

“Do I look all right?”, Kameron asked when the reached the studio. “Yes you look great! He will love you!”, Haley said pulling her inside the doors. They walked up to the front desk. “Excuse me. Could you tell me which studio The Backstreet Boys are recording in?”, Haley asked politely to the receptionist. “Yes. They are in Studio 5.” “Thank you.” Haley grabbed Kameron’s arm and they walked down the hall to Studio 5. They knocked and went in. “Hey Haley! What’s up?”, Kevin asked kissing her on the cheek. “I just figured I’d see how things were going. This is my friend Kameron.”, Haley said introducing them. “AJ and Brian are recording right now but they should be out soon.” Haley looked through the glass. Their backs were to them so they didn’t know they were there. Nick and Howie walked in the door with drinks in their hands. “Hi Haley!”, Nick said cheerfully. Howie did the same. “Who is your friend?”, Nick asked nicely. “This is Kameron White. My best friend.” Howie and Nick shook hands with Kameron.

They were all standing around making small talk when Brian and AJ came into the room. “Hey honey!”, Brian said giving Haley a peck on the lips. “I brought Kameron with me.”, Haley said pointing and smiling. AJ looked at her. “AJ this is Kameron. Kameron this is AJ.”, she said introducing them. “Ugh..n...n...nice to meet you.”, he stuttered. “Uh..it’s....it’s..v.v.v..very nice to meet you too.”, she said shaking his hand. Everyone laughed. They pretended not to notice everyone making fun of how nervous they both were. “So anyway. How is recording going?”, Haley asked the guys. “Pretty good. We have gotten a lot done today.”, Brian said taking a drink of water. “That great. I got a job today.” “Already? Where?” “At the Walnut Clinic downtown.” “You’re kidding me!”, Kameron burst out. “No. Why?”, Haley asked confused. “That is where I work!”, Kameron exclaimed. “Oh my gosh!!”, Haley exclaimed running over to her. They hugged. “That’s all you girls do is hug all of the time!”, Nick joked. “All best friends hug all of the time.”, Kameron informed him joking. Nick gave Brian a look. “Oh Bri. I love you so much!”, Nick said running over to him like a girl. They hugged like girls do and joked around. “I love you too Nick!”, Brian said also joking. “Okay. That’s enough.”, Nick said pushing Brian away. “Oh! Don’t I feel loved!”, Brian said pretending to cry.

AJ decided it was now or never. “I’m gonna go get something to eat from the snack machine. You wanna come with me Kameron?”, he asked smoothly. “Sure.”, Kameron replied smiling. She glanced at Haley and Brian. They were both giving her the thumbs up sign. AJ opened the door for Haley and they stepped out into the hall. They walked to the snack machine and AJ got out some change and began to look inside the machine. “So um...do you have a boyfriend Kameron?”, AJ asked trying not to sound nervous. “Nope. My love life is a bit depressing at the moment.”, Kameron said laughing. AJ laughed too. “So is mine. It sucks being single doesn’t it?!?”, he said getting more comfortable talking to her. “Yeah it does.” “So, uh, since we’re both single, would you consider going out with me tomorrow night?”, AJ asked still looking into the machine. “I would love that.”, Kameron said shyly. “Great.”, he said looking at her. “I don’t think I’m hungry anymore.”, he said laughing. “Let’s go back in the studio.”, he said ushering her to come with him. “You are very smooth Mr. McLean!”, she said laughing at how he had pretended to be hungry to get her alone with him. “Don’t I know it!!”, he laughed.