Brian smiled at Shan over the menu, "This is going good so far huh?" he asked nervously.
"Pretty good." she closed her menu and looked at him. "B, relax okay? I swear I won't bite."
He laughed. "It's just a long time since I've been on a...a date."
"Oh one of those...what exactly do people do on those again?" she teased, taking a sip of her drink.
Bri scratched his chin as if deep in thought. "Get to know each other I guess."
"Then we are on a date. You know I just realized we haven't been alone together since we brought Lis home from LA." Shan stated.
"Yeah at the hotel." he smiled in memory. "So you've been after me how long?"
Shan looked down at her menu quickly. "Well honestly?" she glanced up and saw him nod. "Since I saw the All I Have To Give video. I thought you were pretty cute and then when we met... it kinda snowballed."
"Want to know something?" B asked after they'd placed their orders.
"Sure."
"I thought you were very interesting when we met too."
"Then why didn't you ever do anything about it?"
He sighed. "Timing was off I guess, I was just breaking up with someone, you were moving to California..."
"And now you're marrying my best friend."
"And now I'm marrying Lis." he said softly, taking a drink of his beer. "Do you know the guys, including my cousin think I shouldn't marry her?"
"Why not? You love her right?"
He nodded, "I guess."
Shan's eyes went wide. "Guess? Bri you shouldn't guess you're in love you should know it in here." she reached over and touched his chest.
Brian reached up and held her hand on his chest, feeling electricity run through him. He looked at her and realized she had the same shocked expression on her face. "Waiter, can I have the bill." he said, catching him as he went by.
Lis looked at Nick as they sat in the kitchen of the beach house. He had Michael on his lap, talking to him in a baby voice.
"I'm gonna call Han and see if she can pick me up...you take Michael for the day." she said, getting to her feet.
"No, please stay...for Michael's sake." Nick looked down at his son. "I don't know a lot, don't want to scare him the first time we're without you. I know how hard it is to be without you Lis." he said quietly, kissing his son's blonde hair.
She sunk back onto her chair. He could play her for a fool. "What the hell do you want from me Nick?"
"A chance. That's all."
She set her hands on the table and sighed, "It's too late Nick...way way way too late."
His eyes stopped on her hands, seeing the ring he'd bought for her on her hand. The garnet and the diamonds. A smile appeared on his face but he quickly hid it. "How can you say that?"
Lis laughed. "Hello, I'm getting married in about 9 days."
"But you don't love him."
"Nick, butt out of my life. You gave up your right to an opinion the day you left."
Her words stung him and deep inside he knew she was right. "You watched the videos right?" she nodded slowly, "And they didn't affect you one little bit?"
She kept her eyes on her hands, afraid Nick would see the truth in her eyes. "Not at all."
Nick groaned to himself, she was almost as stubborn as he was. This was going to be harder then he thought.
E heard voices as she walked inside the house. She set her bags down on the chair and followed them into the kitchen seeing Nick sitting across from a blonde at the table. "Oops sorry! I didn't know you had company."
Nick smiled at her. "It's okay E, this is Lis and Michael, Lis my best friend E."
Lis felt her entire body tense up. "Hello." She said calmly, amazed her voice didn't show her real emotions.
"Hi, nice to meet you."
Lis plastered a phony smile on her face. "Likewise. I'm going to call Han, I think you'll do fine alone with him Carter."
"Don't leave on my account." E said, throwing Nick an apologetic look.
"I was planning on going anyways. This'll give you all time with one another. I'll use the phone in AC's room." she said quickly and left the room.
E sighed and sat down across from Nick. "Oh boy...nothing's working is it?"
Nick shook his head. "It's like she cut herself off from everything. That isn't my Lis."
Lis walked into AC's room and shut the door. She sat down on the bed and realized she was shaking. She took a deep breath and dialed home, relief filling her as her sister picked up.
"Hey Han, can you come pick me up?"
"Sure, where are you?"
"Nick's. Michael's going to spend the day here so maybe bring Michael's other bag. I don't think Nick has a lot of baby stuff, if anything."
"Got it, give me ten."
"All right." Lis clicked the phone off and looked around, trying to find something to occupy her time since she didn't feel like going downstairs.
Shan unlocked the door to her apartment and Brian followed her inside. "So..." she said, tossing her purse down.
"So..." Brian repeated, standing right behind her. "Shan?"
"B?" she asked, afraid to turn around.
"What happens now?"
"Heck if I know." she smiled to herself.
"You feel it too right?" he whispered.
"Yeah...big time."
Bri turned her around. "Maybe we should uh...give into it?"
Shan smiled as she looked up at him. "I think you're right." she whispered, leaning into to kiss him.
E looked at the stairs. "What if you took her out on a date?"
"A date?"
"Got any better ideas?" E asked, smiling at Michael.
"Not yet. I'll see what I come up with. Shan's going to help me."
"Shan?"
"Lissy's best friend. Long story but she's got feelings for Rok."
"Nothing is simple down here is it?"
He shook his head, "Not in our lives, nope."
Lis appeared in the doorway watching Nick and E talk for a minute before she interupted. "Sorry but Han will be here any minute, I had her bring some of Michael's things."
"Thanks."
"No prob, I'll leave it inside the door." Lis turned and headed to the front door, a minute later she heard footsteps behind her. "Nick if this about Michael you can bring him home later tonight."
"Actually it's me." E said, smiling.
Lis turned around. "Oh hi."
"Can we talk?"
"Sure."
E opened the door and they walked outside, "You do know what you're throwing away right?"
"What?" Lis asked, staring at the woman beside her.
"Look I've known him almost a year, and I've never seen anyone love someone the way he loves you. Are you sure there isn't an inkling of anything in your heart for him?"
Lis looked at the ring on her hand for a minute before she answered. "We only have Michael in common anymore. That's all. I'm in love with B." she said slowly, as if convincing herself of her words.
"All right then." E turned and walked back inside as Han's beetle pulled into the driveway.
Han got out. "What's wrong?" she asked looking her sister over, she looked awful pale.
"I just want to go home, can you put the bag inside?" she said, getting into the passenger side.
"Sure." Han grabbed the bag and set it inside the open door. She saw Nick standing there. "What the hell happened? She looks awful."
"I don't know Han... maybe she's coming back."
"I doubt it Nick...the only time she's herself is..."
"Is when?" Nick asked, nearing her.
Han sighed. "When she's alone with Michael or when she's watching your home movies. Other than that, well you've seen her." Han cast a quick glance outside. "I better go, call my cell if you need anything ok?"
"I will, thanks Han."
Han nodded and headed back to the car. "Sorry, I had to tell Nick when Michael's feeding was."
Lis nodded and closed her eyes. "You don't mind taking me straight home do you?"
"Not at all, I was gonna go rent a movie or something. You want me to bring you anything back?"
"No, I'm okay."
