Nikki paced around her apartment waiting for Howie to arrive. "I can't believe I'm doing this," she said out loud. "What if I totally scare him and ruins everything." She was startled by the doorbell. Nikki drew in a deep breath and straightened her shirt before she opened the door. "Hi," she said once she opened the door.

Howie smiled and stepped into her apartment. "Hey," he said softly. "I've been real worried about you. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," she said quickly then sat down on the couch.

Howie sat down next to her, she avoided his eyes. "Nikki I think you know I can sense when you're lying. Tell me what's wrong." He lifted her head up with her fingers under her chin. "You know you can trust me."

Nikki looked into his brown eyes and melted. God why does he have to be so cute?, she thought. "Nothing's wrong. I'm fine," she said, avoiding his eyes once more.

"Look me in the eyes and tell me nothing's wrong and I"ll believe you."

Nikki sighed. "I. . .I can't."

Howie took her hand. "Come on let's go for a walk. Grab your jacket it's a little chilly out by the ocean tonight." The two of the got in Howie's car and drove out to the beach. He grabbed her hand they walked tensely down the shore together. "I'm willing to listen if you're ready to talk. You told me that you needed to talk when you called. . .so talk." "It's not that simple Howie," Nikki said as she jerked her hand away from his and walked over to a drift wood sitting up on the beach and sat down.

Howie sat down next to her at looked at her. Her blonde hair was flowing in the wind. She looked so beautiful to him. He was hurt that she wouldn't talk to him. Howie gently placed his hand on top of hers. "Nikki. . .please talk to me. Whatever it is maybe- -"

"Howie I love you!" Nikki blurted out.

Howie sat there frozen. "Wh--What?"

"You heard me," Nikki said, facing him. "I don't know how to say this without ruining our friendship but I have feelings for you. Not just best friend feelings. . .more than best friends feelings." Howie turns his head away from her. Feeling rejected she looked down at her hands. "I shouldn't have told you. Now I've ruined everything," she said in a disappointed tone and turned away from him.

Howie looked up, his eyes facing her back. Gently he placed his hand on her shoulder. "You didn't ruin anything."

Nikki turned back around and stared at Howie. "I didn't?"

Howie smiled. "No," he said as he brushed a stray hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear. "You made everything perfect," he said then gently kissed her on the lips.