"Don't you just love this time of the year?" Mercedes asked Nick.
"Yeah, it's great. OK, here's our stop," Nick said as the car pulled up to the hotel.
"My feet are killing me," Mercedes said as she laid down on the bed.
"Hi all! We're back. Miss us?" Cassidy said as she and A.J. walked in the door.
"OK. Baby, you go change. I'll fill them in," A.J. told Cass.
"Cass and I are going out to dinner and we were wondering if you guys wanted to come with us." A.J. asked Nick and Mercedes.
"We'd love to! Where are you guys going?" Mercedes asked.
"This little Greek place we saw on our way back home. We looked at the menu and it looked good," A.J. said.
"Okay, sounds great," Mercedes told them as she went off to go change.
"That looks good on you. Is that what you're gonna to wear?" Mercedes asked Cassidy. Cass was checking a red knee length-spaghetti strap dress in the mirror to make sure that everything coordinated.
"Yeah, I just got it today. What are you gonna wear?" Cass asked her friend.
"This," she said as she held up the purple mid-thigh velvet skirt Nick had bought her.
"That is so cute! I have a top that would go great with that. If you want, you can wear it." Cass held up a silver angora sweater.
"Oh, sure!" Mercedes said as she took the top from Cass and started to change. "Wow, this looks great together, you were right."
"Okay guys, we're coming out!! Hope nobody's naked!" Cassidy yelled out to the guys.
"Wow!" both guys exclaimed simultaneously.
"You girls look great," Nick said.
"Thanks, so do you," Mercedes said as she walked over to him. He smiled and she almost melted. She loved his smile.
"Everyone ready to go?" A.J. asked. They all grabbed their coats and headed out into the chilly December night.
When they arrived at the restaurant they were led to a secluded booth near the fireplace. A.J. slid in first with Cassidy snuggling up next to him to share a menu. Nick and Mercedes slid in across from them. After a delicious meal they lingered over baklava and Greek coffee while they debated which movie to see. Still debating, they got in the cab and headed for the local multiplex.
As they stood in line at the theatre, Howie came up behind them with Suzanne and said, "hi! Which movie are you guys going to see?"
"Hi guys! We didn't expect to run into you. We still can't decide on a movie. What about you two?" said Nick.
"We were walking around town and decided to see 'What Women Want'," Suzie said.
"That sounds good." said A.J. "how 'bout if we all go in together?" said Cass.
They bought the tickets and went into the theatre and found seats in the back, not six together, but near each other. "Hey, look at A.J. and Cass," Nick whispered to Mercedes. She looked over to find the two making out.
"I can't believe her! Oh well. Nothing I can do about it," Mercedes said to Nick as she laughed quietly.
"We're surrounded! Look to our other side.", Nick said. Howie and Suzie were making out on their other side as well.
"Want to follow their lead?" Nick asked with a slow smile.
Mercedes hesitated and then said slowly, "No offense, but I'd rather not. I don't know you that well yet and I wouldn't feel right."
Nick nodded understandingly and said, "Okay. That's cool." Mercedes put her head on his shoulder and his arm went around her shoulders. They sat that way through the rest of the movie and the end credits.
"That was a good movie, wasn't it?" Nick asked Mercedes.
"Yeah, I really liked it," Mercedes agreed. "Oh my gosh Nick!! It's almost midnight! I have to go back to the hotel to pack. I'm leaving tomorrow," she said sadly.
"What time do you leave?" Nick asked as they walked to Howie's car.
"7:30 am. Most of my stuff is packed but I have a few more things and I want to make sure I have everything." She was trying not to cry, but she started crying. Nick saw the tears and pulled her close.
"It's okay, we can write and visit. Where do you live?" Nick asked.
"California." (sniff, sniff)
"What part?"
"Southern, why?"
"I live in Southern California too. Near the beach, outside of L.A. You?"
Mercedes perked up. "L.A. area too. Maybe we'll see each other more than we thought!"
Nick and Mercedes got in the back of Howie's car, and the four of them
waved to A.J. and Cass, who were going to stop by the local record store
before heading back to the hotel.