A week later, Deanna was as confused as ever. She and Howie were still friends, and he didn't even act uncomfortable around her. She knew she was falling in love with him. The fact that he respected her need for space only made her love him more.
One night, after a concert in Baltimore, Vanessa pulled Deanna aside and said, "Tonight we need to get together and talk."
"I have my own room this stop," Deanna said. "Fatima went to choreograph some video."
"Lets go," Vanessa said.
When they got to the hotel room, Vanessa asked, "How are you and Howie?"
"We're friends," Deanna said.
Vanessa sighed. "Let me tell you a story. I'm from New York, and when I met Kev, it was pretty much love at first sight. I fell in love hard and fast. But part of me denied that I loved him. So when he was leaving New York, I told him I could live without him. I broke his heart and mine. I was so wrong. I saw Kev two months later and we got into a fight. He apologized. I apologized. I told him I had been wrong. And here we are, in love and happy as can be."
"I'm glad it worked out for you," Deanna said.
"Me too. Kevin makes me whole," Vanessa said. "Without him I am completely miserable."
"So I'm assuming this relates to Howie and me," Deanna said. "How?"
"I nearly let the love of my life walk out of my life because I thought we had gone too fast," Vanessa said. "We probably did go to fast, but that's the best kind of love if you ask me. It starts fast and furious, and when you give it time to grow, it's the most beautiful thing you've ever felt."
Deanna took a deep breath, "I see, I think."
"I hope so, because throwing away happiness is like suicide," Vanessa said. "Only you're still alive."
"Thanks V," Deanna said.
"Hey! Us couples like help those experiencing love traumas," Vanessa said. "I've seen the way you and Howie look at each other. If that's not love, then I don't know what is." "Really?" Deanna asked. "He loves me?"
"Yeah," Vanessa said. ""I'll give you some time alone."
"Thanks," Deanna said. He loves me? Wow. Am I just being an idiot? What in the world should I do?
Chapter 9
My Heart Stays with Howie
Backstreet Boys Fan Fiction Index