"Why are you so quiet?" he asked.
She smiled and kissed him lips quickly, but lovingly.
"Nick, I swear, I am just quiet. I am perfectly fine." she said looking into his eyes and wishing she could make the feeling of not being able to trust people, go away.
"Aww, kodak moment!" Angie cooed.
Nick and Claire laughed and turned back to the table. They all kept eating when Angie started laughing loudly. Everyone looked at her like she had lost her mind.
"Hey Carter," she said laughing still, "I think you have a little something right here." she said pointing the corner of her mouth.
Claire looked over and Nick had a smudge of ketchup on his mouth. She laughed as he wiped it away and blushed a little. She wrapped her arm around his and hugged him.
"Leave him alone Ang!" Claire defended.
"Now Carter has to have his women fight his fights." Aj laughed.
Nick scowled a little and Claire rubbed his back to calm him down.
After eating, Angie ran inside to change back into her clothes. Claire followed her in and talked to her outside the bathroom door.
"Everything better with you and Aj?" she asked.
"Perfect." Angie said as she pulled open the door and revealed her comfortable looking pj pants and sweatshirt.
Claire nodded in approval and they walked back outside together. Journey was playing loudly from the CD Player.
"I knew I shouldn't have trusted Nick with the music." Claire sighed.
Angie nodded in agreement then walked over to Aj who was laying in the lounge chair. She sat between his legs and laid back on him. Aj snuggled her close to him and kissed her cheek softly.
"You're so nice and warm." he said hugging her tightly.
Angie looked up at him and kissed his lips softly, "Why don't you change into something warmer than wet swimming shorts?" she asked.
"One reason is I am too lazy. But mostly, because it gives me an excuse to cuddle with you." he said.
Angie smiled and leaned on Aj loving everything about him. She loved his quiet, romantic, hidden side and she loved the wild in your face side. He was truly perfect for her.
Over in the pool Claire swam towards the ladder to get out.
"Your getting out already?!" Nick whined.
"Chicken..." Brian teased.
Claire shot them a look on amusement and climbed out of the pool.
"Oh come on!" Nick laughed.
"Nick, my fingers look like my grandmother's they are so wrinkled. Plus, it's getting cold outside." she justified.
He was going to smile at her when Brian swam up behind him and dunked his head under the water. Nick came up from the water and swam after Brian to get revenge. Claire headed to go inside to change back into her clothes. She bumped into Howie on the way and smiled at him kindly.
She went inside and changed back into her capri's and tank top. She looked down at herself and knew that she would be freezing if she didn't put on warmer clothes. She walked into Nick's room and picked up an oversized sweatshirt that said Journey across the front. Claire laughed at Nick's obsession as she pulled on the sweat shirt and headed back outside.
Claire walked back out to the patio and Nick was sitting by the pool with a towel wrapped around him, shivering. She crouched behind him and wrapped her arms loosely around his neck from behind him. She kissed his cheek lightly and he looked over at her.
"Cold?" she asked.
He nodded and let out a little shiver. Claire laughed and stood up, extending a hand downward to Nick, to help him up. He took it and stood up, readjusting the towel at a small attempt to warm up.
"Oh my god! Girl, what are you thinking?" Howie asked in a shocked voice.
Claire laughed a little and eyes him, "What do you mean?"
"You are wearing Nick's favorite Journey sweatshirt. That old thing is sacred to him..." Kevin explained.
Claire bit her lip and looked at Nick apologetically. He looked at the sweatshirt on her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
"I think she looks cute in it." he said.
Brian jokingly clasped his hand over his heart and pretended to faint, "Did I just hear what I think I heard?"
Nick laughed and headed inside to change, as everyone else came inside to warm up and think of what else they could do.
After everyone changed back into their clothes, Howie and Kevin headed home since they all had an early flight to catch. An hour later, Brian did the same. When the clock striked midnight, Angie grabbed Aj's hand and lifted him up.
"We leaving?" he asked through a yawn.
"That sounds like a smart plan..." she said.
"Why?" he asked grabbing his coat.
"Other than they fact that your the biggest pain in the ass to get up at 6am, um, how about I am tired too?" she smirked.
Nick meowed at her and she just pushed him playfully. Aj and Angie soon left and Claire stood up to leave also.
Nick took her hand lightly, "Claire, will you spend the night? I am always late for my flights because I can never get up on time and I-"
"You were wondering if I'd be your back-up alarm clock?" she guessed.
Nick laughed and nodded, "Will you?"
"Sure, but can we quickly drive to my house for clothes?" she asked.
Nick grabbed his keys and grabbed Claire's hand, leading her outside to the car, to get her clothes. Around 1am they got back to Nick's house and they both changed into pajama's. Nick figured that he should offer Claire the guestroom so she didn't think he invited her to stay the night for other reasons.
He led her in there and she sat down on the bed. He kissed her quickly but sweetly and said goodnight.
"Goodnight Nick, see you in the morning." she said.
He closed the door and went into his own room. They both quickly and peacefully fell asleep.
