Just as he finished, the doorbell rang, signaling the arrival of the last guest. Nick opened the door and pulled Lauren into a tight hug. “Hey, babe. Everyone is here,” he said. She stepped into the living room and offered a shy smile and a wave. “Okay everybody, this is my girlfriend, Lauren. Lauren, meet my friends, Brian, Howie, AJ, and Kevin, and their girlfriends, Leighanne, Sharon, Amanda, and Kristin.”
“It’s nice to meet you all,” Lauren said, barely above a whisper.
Nick took her hand and led her to a chair next to Brian to sit down while he finished cooking dinner. “Talk to Brian. He’s a good guy.”
A few moments after Nick went back to the kitchen, the room livened up. Kevin, Howie, AJ, Leighanne, and Kristin became immersed in a conversation about the band’s future. Amanda and Sharon began chatting about clothes. Lauren awkwardly struck up a conversation with Brian. “So, uh, you and Nick are really good friends?”
“Yeah, he’s like my little brother,” Brian answered. He immediately sensed her nervousness and tried to make her more comfortable. “Nick talks about you all the time.”
Lauren blushed. “I’m sorry. That probably gets irritating.”
“No, not at all. I’m happy to finally be meeting you. He really likes you,” Brian said, making her blush even more.
“He’s a really nice guy. I like him, too,” Lauren replied. “Uh…is he a good cook?”
Brian snickered. “No, he’s not. We’ll be lucky if whatever he makes is edible.”
“He’s never cooked for me before,” Lauren said. “I’ve never cooked for him, either, because I’m probably worse than he is.”
Just then, they heard an aggravated groan from the kitchen and guessed that Nick burned something. “I don’t think that’s possible,” Brian joked.
“I think I’m going to go see what he’s up to,” Lauren said, excusing herself. She slipped into the kitchen and saw Nick hovered over the stove, stirring something. “Do you need any help?”
“No, I can do it. This spaghetti is just sticking to the bottom of the pan,” Nick replied. He put the wooden spoon on the stove and turned to her. “So what do you think?”
“What do I think of what? The fact that the spaghetti isn’t working out?” Lauren said, taking Nick’s place and prying the noodles from the pan. “Let me take over. I’m not too bad at cooking spaghetti.”
“No, you don’t have to. I got it,” Nick said guiltily, trying to grab the spoon, but it was tight in her grasp. “Fine, you can do it. What do you think of the guys?”
“Well, I only talked to Brian, and he said that you talk about me a lot. Is that true?” Lauren asked, trying to hide her smile.
Nick wrapped his arms around her waist. “Of course it’s true.”
“He also said that you like me-”
“You have no need to doubt that, babe,” Nick interrupted. “I love you.”
Lauren decisively put the spoon down and gazed into Nick’s eyes to say something for the first time. “I love you, too, Nick.”
“You do?” he replied softly.
“Yes, I do,” she whispered. Slowly, their lips began to join, but just before they brushed, Kevin stepped into the kitchen. Lauren pulled away, embarrassed.
“Oh, sorry, guys. I’ll just go back out there,” Kevin mumbled, his cheeks reddening slightly.
“No, it’s okay. What did you need?” Nick answered.
“I was just sent in here to find out when dinner would be ready.”
“It’ll be ready in a few minutes. We’re just finishing up the noodles,” Nick said casually.
“Didn’t look like that to me,” Kevin snickered as he left the room.
Lauren looked up at Nick, her cheeks a deep shade of crimson. “I can’t go back in there now! I’m totally humiliated.”
“Don’t worry, babe,” Nick replied. “I’ll finish the food if you’ll herd everyone into the dining room.”
“Maybe you should let me finish the food, Nick,” Lauren teased, taking the spoon from him.
Five minutes later, everyone was seated around a large, rectangular table. Lauren was between Nick and Brian as Leighanne started a conversation. “Lauren, how did you meet Nick?”
“I live next door, and he interrupted my sunbathing on my first day here,” Lauren replied. “He woke me up from a nap and couldn’t believe I didn’t know who he was.”
“Did I wake you up?” Nick asked guiltily. Lauren smiled and nodded, causing Nick to apologize profusely. “I didn’t know that! I’m sorry! I just saw a pretty girl lying on the beach by my house and I had to at least find out what her name was. I didn’t mean to wake you up!”
“Nick, it’s okay. Settle down,” Lauren laughed.
The rest of the evening went very well. Brian and Leighanne were the last to leave, but before they did, Brian pulled Nick aside. “Nick, can I talk to you for a minute?” Brian asked.
“Yeah, sure,” Nick replied, following him into the kitchen.
As soon as the door closed, Brian punched Nick’s shoulder friendlily. “You’ve got yourself a good girl there. She’s really sweet, and she seems perfect for you.”
Nick’s eyes lit up. “You think so? I really like her.”
Just then, Leighanne called out from the other room. “Brian, we have to get going. Hurry up!”
“Okay, sweetie!” Brian replied. He looked at Nick again. “Don’t ever let her go, Nick. Hold on to her.”
“I know, Brian. Thanks.” They went back into the living room and everyone said goodbye.
“It was great meeting you,” Lauren said. “I’ll see you again sometime, I hope.”
“I’m sure you will,” Brian assured her. Nick was not about to let her get away, and he was sure of that.
“Bye, Lauren,” Leighanne said. “See you later, Nick.”
After they left, Nick pulled Lauren into a warm embrace. “Brian told me never to let you go,” he whispered into her ear.
“You never have to,” Lauren replied softly. “I love you, Nickolas Gene.”
Just hearing her say that made Nick break into a smile. “I love you, too, Lauren Faith, with all my heart.”
Silent minutes passed, and Lauren finally pulled away. “I should go home now.”
“No, don’t leave. Stay here,” Nick protested.
“I wish I didn’t have to go,” Lauren whimpered.
“Just spend the night, babe,” he pleaded. “I want you to be here with me.”
Lauren looked longingly at him and debated for a moment before nodding. “You really wouldn’t mind if I stayed?”
Nick’s eyes practically popped out of his head. “Mind? Of course I wouldn’t mind! I would love it!”
“Then I’ll stay here,” Lauren said slowly.
Nick saw her uncertainty, and placed his hands gently on her waist. “Don’t stay if you’re not comfortable with it.”
After another few moments of thought, Lauren smiled at him. “I trust you, Nick. I’m comfortable.”
“Do you want to sleep in the guest bedroom or my room?” Nick asked, leading her up the stairs.
“Can I sleep on the floor of your room?”
“No girlfriend of mine is sleeping on the floor, especially not you. I’ll sleep on the floor, and you can have the bed,” Nick replied firmly.
“I’m not taking your bed. If I sleep on it, then we’ll both have to sleep on it,” Lauren answered, just as determinedly.
“I wouldn’t mind that,” Nick joked.
“Then let’s both sleep on the bed,” Lauren said.
“Are you serious?”
“No, Nick, I’m lying,” she muttered sarcastically. Nick looked puzzled. “It’s so easy to confuse guys. Of course I’m serious, goof.”
Lauren changed first, then crawled into bed, Nick soon to follow in just a pair of boxers. She slid closer to him as he put his arms around her. “I love you, Lauren,” he whispered.
“I love you, too, Nick,” Lauren replied.