He finally said something about it when they stood at the door of her apartment when they got back. “You’ve been acting really strange all night, Meg. I know it’s probably none of my business, and I should just leave it alone, but I’m going to ask you anyway. But if you don’t wanna answer, I totally understand, but is there something wrong?”
Fearing he would think she was with him only because he was famous, she had not said anything all night about what she had seen on TV before. Finally, she let it all tumble out of her mouth. “Look, I really don’t wanna let this get in the way of what we have. I mean, if we have something here. We do, right?”
“I think so. I hope so.”
She began to twirl her long, thick, brown hair around her finger and then brushed a few strands out of her face. Playing with her hair was a nervous habit she had developed when she was a lot younger, and she did it without even realizing it now. “Well, that’s good, because I think so, too. Anyway, I don’t want this to get in the way of what we have, but I kind of figured out who you are. You’re a Backstreet Boy.” She kept doing the hair thing while she was talking, and it must have been annoying Nick, because finally he grabbed her hands to make her stop.
“You did? Oh, well. I knew I couldn’t keep it hidden forever, and I probably shouldn’t have lied to you in the first place. I’m sorry.” He sighed. “So how did you figure this out?”
“Yeah, I saw you in your video for Drowning on MTV, which, by the way, was awesome.”
“You’re a fan?”
“Yes, I am. And I can’t believe I didn’t recognize you or your name, but I didn’t. I don’t watch MTV much and I don’t read many magazines. But I want you to know that’s not why I like you. I like you because you’re an amazing guy, without a doubt the best one I’ve met in a long time, and you’re sweet and romantic and thoughtful, and well, just perfect in general. I’m not dating you because you’re rich and famous and cute and sexy and oh, gosh, I can’t believe I said that. I just called you sexy to your face, didn’t I?” she rambled. He placed a finger to her lips.
He laughed softly. His hand moved down to her hip as she stopped talking, and his other one fell to her other hip. “Yeah, you did, but I won’t let it go to my head or anything.”
She almost started doing the nervous hair thing again, but she stopped herself and placed her hands over Nick’s. Then she bit her lip and met his blue eyes with her blue-gray ones. “So this isn’t gonna screw anything up between us, right?”
“No, of course not. At least I hope not. I really like you, Meg, and I can tell you’re not with me because of what I do and how much money I make and how I look. I’ve only known you for a few days, but I can tell you’re not superficial like that.” He paused. “I’d come in, but my sister flipped out on me last night for getting back so late because I had to wake her up to get inside. She wasn’t too happy. I’m sorry.”
“That’s fine. I understand. I had a good time,” she stated. “Do you wanna give me a call, then?”
“Absolutely.” He kissed her with his soft lips and then turned to leave, but stopped and looked back at her. “Oh, and by the way, I think you’re sexy, too. Incredibly sexy.”