"Howie?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you get the feeling they were talking about us when we walked in?"
"If I know AJ, the first thing out of his mouth was the fact that he'd caught us kissing." Howie rolled his eyes. "That's AJ for you."
"Well, we wouldn't be able to keep it a secret for long."
"Not from Kevin or Brian."
"Or Anna. She probably knew before we did."
"Kev, too." Howie laughed. "I guess we weren't being very subtle."
"I guess not." Cait turned and smiled at him. "I'm glad we finally realized what was there."
"Me, too." He brushed a lock of hair out of her eyes and gently kissed her lips. "I love you, Cait."
"I love you, too." With a sigh she laid her head on his chest as he wrapped his arms tightly around her.
"Howie?"
"Yeah?"
"You know how I know I love you?"
"How?"
"Because I used to feel like there was something missing in my life, but since I met you, that feeling's gone. Now I know that you were what was missing from my life."
"I know. I feel the same way. I used to have this void in my heart, but now it’s been filled." Howie's voice was soft and full of emotion. "The day you came into my life, that feeling, that emptiness, went away."
He caressed her cheek and gently placed his lips on hers.

"I'm so happy that Howie and Cait finally realized that their relationship was more than just a friendship." Anna sighed.
"Me, too. Howie hasn't had someone special for a long time." AJ grinned. "And I can tell how he feels about Cait."
"Same with me and Cait. I can see she loves him. She's an open book to me. She can't hide anything from me." Anna laughed.
"Well, let's hope that they live happily ever after, right?" AJ joked.
"You're such a goof." Anna poked him in the ribs. "But I think they will. I think they were meant to be together."

"Hey, D! Talk to you a sec?" AJ's voice cut through the fog in Howie's brain as he listened to Cait practice their new songs.
"Hey, man." Howie turned to AJ. "What's up?"
"Not much. I just wanted to talk to you. I know you know we were talking about you and Cait before you showed up this morning. And I just wanted to make sure you knew...uh...that Cait's...." He trailed off, his face going slightly red.
"A virgin?"
"Yeah." AJ looked relieved. "Anna told me. As she put it, Cait is...was... 'completely innocent'".
"Yeah, I know. We sort of talked about it. Not really an in depth conversation, but I know she's never been with anyone, in any way."
"Okay. That's good. Anna and I just wanted to make sure you knew. And Anna never actually said it out loud, but she really doesn't want Cait to get hurt."
"AJ, man, you can tell Anna I have no intention of ever hurting Cait. I love her. I wouldn't hurt her for anything in the world."
"That's good, 'cause seeing as I'm Anna's boyfriend, and Cait's her best friend, if you hurt Cait, I'd have to hurt you." AJ joked.
"No fear man. No worries. You can tell Anna that I love Cait with all my heart. And even though we haven't known each other that long, I know Cait is The One. I'm gonna marry this girl." Howie smiled, picturing Cait walking down the isle in a long white dress.
"Right on." AJ grinned. "But you guys should really talk about it. Make sure it's clear."
"I know. I think we're going to really soon. So tell Anna not to worry."
"Will do. Later, man."

That night, Howie and Cait lay on Howie's bed, lost in the feelings released by their kisses. Howie's lips left hers and trailed down her throat, his hands caressing her back and shoulders. She jolted back to her senses as his fingers grazed her breast.
"Howie. I'm not ready." She whispered, gently pushing him away. "We have to stop."
"I know." He smiled and gently kissed her lips. "I think we need to talk about this anyway."
"Yeah, we do." They pulled themselves into a sitting position. "AJ came to talk to me today. Anna asked him to; she was worried about you getting hurt."
"That's Anna all over." Cait smiled.
"It's just as well, since we do need to talk about this anyway. I know you haven't...been with anyone before. You don't have to worry about me pushing you into anything. I would never do that."
"I know you wouldn't. And you're right, I'm...a virgin."
"Are you...did you plan on waiting until you were married?"
"Not necessarily until marriage. I think that's pretty unrealistic, but I wanted to wait until I knew I was with the guy I wanted to eventually marry. Until I was really, truly in love. So many people rush into it and then later they regret it. They wish they'd waited longer."
"I know. I was your age before I…" He trailed off.
"I read that on some web page.” She smiled a little. “It’s just that right now this is all...really new to me. I've never been in a relationship before, and it's kind of...scary."
"I understand." He smiled. "I want to make love to you, but I would never push you to go further than you want to go. All you have to say is 'stop'." Gently, he brushed a lock of hair out of her eyes. "I love you and I respect you. That's why I'll wait for you; I'll wait until you know you're ready."
"I love you, Howie." She kissed him softly. "I think right now, kissing is...enough for me. But I'll let you know." She smiled.
Smiling, he pulled her to him and they fell back on the bed, lost in a kiss.

Chapter 8

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