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» CHAPTER NINE «

That night bowling turned out to be a blast for everyone. They made it guys against girls, to make it interesting. The guys were sure they were gonna win, after all, they are pretty macho. But the girls came back to win by one pin, causing the boys to sulk.

The girls promised they would make it up to them. Afterwards the couples all split up to go to eat or whatever. Nick and Lauren decided to go to a nice restaurant that Lauren recommended.

"So Lauren, what do you wanna eat? I’m paying," Nick asked while glancing at the menu.

"I don’t know. And what makes you think you’re paying?" she smiled teasingly.

"Because...because...just cause I am," Nick defended.

"OK," Lauren shrugged. "Fine with me," she said brightly.

Nick started laughing in spite of himself. Lauren made him think she was gonna put up a fight. He loved her sense of humor and this meant only one thing was left before he totally fell for her. There was just one question he had to ask before they could proceed, the question that could make a total difference in everything.

"Hey Lauren?" he asked. Lauren looked up from her menu.

"Yes, Nick?" she grinned.

Nick took a deep breath. "How do you feel about Nintendo?"

AJ led Jessica to the passenger side of her car, then put a blindfold on her. "Why are you doing this AJ?" Jessica asked, but grinned just the same.

"Shhh baby," he whispered. "It’s a surprise, just for you."

He saw Jessica smile wider, then ask, "Well, what is it AJ?"

AJ just shook his head, even though Jessica couldn’t see. "If I told you, you wouldn’t be surprised," he said.

"Oh, but the contrary AJ. Anything and everything you do surprises me. That’s why...that’s why I love you," Jessica replied.

It was AJ’s turn to smile. "I love you too baby," he whispered as he leaned over to give her a sweet kiss.

Lauren glanced up from her menu to better look at Nick. His face was in total seriousness. "How do I feel about...Nintendo?" she repeated, making sure she heard the question right.

"Yep," Nick murmured.

"Well, depends. Are you talking PlayStation, Nintendo 64, or Sega? I personally prefer PlayStation, but I can kick tail on N64 too. Why do you ask?"

She saw Nick’s face light up. "N-no reason. But I bet you’ve met your match at Mario Kart or Final Fantasy. I rule those games."

Lauren laughed quietly at his cockiness. "No, I bet you’ve met your match. There’s no one within 20 miles of here who can beat me. There’s no one that would even challenge me because they’ve already tried and been defeated."

She saw Nick let a little smirk. "It’s a challenge then. Don’t forget that," he replied.

"Oh, I won’t." She raised her eyebrows teasingly. The waiter chose that time to arrive.

"Hi, I’m Tye, and I’ll be your server. What can I get you this evening?" he asked politely. Lauren wasn’t sure, but she thought she saw a sigh of relief escape Nick and a sly grin crept up her face.

Jessica let AJ’s soft lips gently kiss her as she sat in the car blindfolded. She wondered where AJ could be taking her that was such a surprise. It didn’t matter though. All Jessica wanted to do at the moment was be with AJ. It wouldn’t matter if he took her to the very end of the earth, or just to the diner across the street. Anywhere would make her happy.

She felt AJ reluctantly pull his lips away, then whisper, "Just be patient baby. It’ll all be worth it."

Jessica smiled. ‘Good gosh I love him,’ she thought. "K AJ. Just don’t make me wait too long. It’s gonna be torture not seeing your gorgeous face and beautiful eyes," she said aloud.

"Ditto Jess. Just be patient with your precious AJ. He’ll make it worth your while," AJ murmured.

’I believe you,’ she thought to herself smiling.

Nick breathed a sigh of relief. Lauren was a Nintendo freak! For some reason it made a big grin spread across his baby face. The waiter came and took their orders, to leave him and Lauren alone again. Nick decided to start another conversation. He wasn’t very nervous anymore.

"This is a really nice place Lauren," he said. Lauren smiled, and looked right into his eyes. Nick suddenly felt naked, as if she were staring into his very soul.

"I know. I guess...that tonight there’s just something uh... special in the air," she almost seductively replied.

Nick smiled back. "Something special indeed," he mumbled under his breath. He looked up to see Lauren’s eyes meet his again. Without a word, the two leaned over and met halfway in a sweet soulful kiss.

AJ wasn’t being a very cautious driver. Even though Jessica didn’t know it, he kept nearly running off the road. ‘I can’t help it,’ AJ mused to himself, ‘I just can’t keep my eyes on the road when the most beautiful girl in the world is sitting right next to me.’

Once again he glanced over at her as he had many times during this little drive. The poor thing was blindfolded and her seat-belt was buckled, no thanks to AJ. "Just a little while longer baby," he whispered. Soon, AJ reached the destination he was hoping. "O.K. Jess, we’re here. But the blindfold doesn’t come off just yet," he informed.

Jessica nodded her head in silent agreement. AJ opened the car door for her and helped her out. They walked a small distance. AJ undid Jessica’s blindfold and.... Jessica screamed!

In delight Jessica let a little squeal at AJ’s surprise. In front of her she saw the beautiful beach at night. The bright moonlight reflected on the dark water for a shimmery beauty. AJ had spread at least 5 bags of red and white rose pedals all along the sand. The shells on the beach had been strewn out and arranged to say, ‘Alex loves Jess’.

Jessica wanted to cry. She’d never seen the beach at night and no guy or ANYONE had ever done anything so sweet for her. Whimpering she ran into AJ’s arms. His huge grin quickly turned. "What’s wrong sweetie? What did I do?"

Jessica sniffed. "Nothing. You did everything so right."

AJ looked confused. "So then why are you crying?"

Jessica looked up into AJ McLean’s dark and soulful brown eyes. "Because I love you!" she managed to answer. And the tears began falling...from both sets of eyes.

Lauren looked deep into Nick’s pale baby blues, to try to know what he was thinking, to learn more about him. He just stared back into her sea-green eyes and they sat there like that for a whole minute, just searching. Something willed Lauren to lean over, and Nick met her intentions-and her lips-in a sweet tasting kiss. They let it last for a few seconds.

As they broke away, smiles rose on both their faces. ‘That said at least a thousand words,’ Lauren thought grinning at Nick. Not a word was spoken and soon their food arrived.

Lauren finally decided to say something. "Nick...I can’t do this."

¤ Chapter 10 ¤
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