"Oh I see," I said. However, I really didn't see. I didn't want to say that but I wasn't sure what to say.

  "Sure I should have been honest with her, but she had no right to cheat on me because of that," he said.

  Again I was at a loss for words. I didn't know him well enough to really comment on that, especially not knowing what he was hiding from his fiancée. It took me a few moments, but finally I came up with something. "Uh, right or wrong, I'm sure you had your reasons for that," I said.

  "I'm not sure it was worth it in the end. Anyhow, my point was to apologize and explain a little better. If I get upset about this, I promise not to take it out on you, ok?" he said.

  I thought about it for a few moments. Then I thought about it a few more moments just to make him sweat. Finally I said, "Sure. I'll forgive you. I'm about to go visit Candace. She has been bugging me about meeting you. Will you indulge me today in doing that?"

  "Sure. Let's go now." So we walked upstairs to Candace's room. Kaleb stood outside for a moment while I went to say hi. It felt a little strange because this person was supposed to be my best friend but she really wasn't my best friend, Esme. I thought she was pretty nice in the few times we talked. Anyhow, I didn't want to make it obvious that I was feeling awkward about all this, so I was my usual happy and sweet self, well at least sweet Olivia, I think Hope is like that too, but I am not really sure yet.

  "Candace. How was your night? I bet you are counting down the days or hours until you can leave this place," I said.

  "Boy you are right. I'm so bored here. And Dr. Clark is no help either. Anytime I suggest that we do something fun, he shoots it down. He's such a goodie goodie," she frowns.

  "Oh that's too bad. Maybe we can do something fun like prank calls or entertain other patients with our singing," I mused.

  "Ha-ha. Very funny. I'm so bored, I might actually take you up on that," she said.

  "You are right, I was kidding. But I do have something you wanted and it will definitely cheer you up," I said.

  "Really? What? Don't tell me you finally got Kaleb here?!" she exclaimed.

  "You guessed right. I'll get him now. Hold on," I said. I rushed outside to get him and he walked back into the room with me.

  "You must be Candace. Hope told me a lot about you. I'm sorry about what happened but glad you are ok," he said.

  "I hope all of it is good. Thank you for your concern and helping and being there for Hope when all this happened," she said smiling. I noticed Candace staring at Kaleb with a smile on her face. I wonder if she realized how cute he was and why I liked him.

  "It's definitely all good. I been happy to help and get to know Hope. She's a great person. You are lucky to have her as a friend," he said.

  "I know. I am really lucky," she said.

  "I feel the same way, Candace," I replied.

  We all spoke to each other for a while and Kaleb seemed genuinely interested in learning more about Candace and our friendship. Kaleb made both of us laugh and at one point, Candace smiled and winked at me. It really seemed like she approved of Kaleb and me. Finally, a young man came in and said that Candace had to go for physical therapy. I told her we would be back later and we left her to do her therapy.

  "Thank you Kaleb for coming to meet Candace and really taking the time to get to know her. You were very sweet," I said blushing.

  "It was a pleasure to spend time with both of you," he said charmingly. "Say, would you like to go back to the coffeehouse for lunch? They have great salads and sandwiches."

  "You don't have to tell me twice, let's go," I said. Being here was helping me forget about being upset at Esme and what happened with Kyle. I was embarrassed to think this, but part of me wished that this was real and my real life was the show.  

  The coffeehouse wasn't quite busy yet, so it didn't take long for us to find a seat. Kaleb said he would get our food if I told him what I wanted to order. While he did that, I looked around the coffeehouse. Maybe I thought, I would see the other characters I knew from the show. Maybe I'd even see Vanessa and the other cop. Wait, if I see the other cop, that would not end well with Kaleb. I definitely don't want that, I thought. Before, I had a chance to think further, Kaleb was back with our food. 

  "I'm so glad we got to know each other. These few months have been tough and the last few days with you, have made things seem so much better," he said. 

  I blushed. "Thank you. I am really enjoying our time together too,".

  "Did you get a chance to talk to Dr. Clark to see when Candace could be released?" he asked.

  "Yes the other day, he told me that Candace could be released sometime next week, so anywhere between 4-7 days, hopefully."

  "But you won't have a chance to go to Chicago like you planned right?" he said.

  "Uh yeah, but that's ok. What can you do? At least Candace is getting better and will be healed enough to go soon."

  "What if we did an overnight to Chicago?"

  My eyes widened at this. Did he mean what I thought he meant?  I don't know if I was ready for that, I thought.

  As if he read my mind, he said, "Oh, what I mean is we can stay overnight in separate rooms, if you prefer, just to be clear."

  "Right. Of course. I feel bad being away from Candace, especially since she was supposed to go too."

  "Why don't you talk to her about it this afternoon. I have some things I need to do to get ready, if we decide to go. Just let me know what decision you end up making."

  "Sure, I'll do that," I said. We had a nice conversation and before we knew it, it was time to go back to the hospital. Kaleb walked up with me and said a quick hi to Candace and Dr. Clark and left.  Candace and I talked for a little while about my time with Kaleb this afternoon and finally the trip to Chicago came up.

  "So you really want to go? When will you go?" asked Candace.

  "I think he wants to leave tomorrow but I'm not sure. I told him I wouldn't commit to going without talking to you about it first. To be honest, I feel really bad going especially since this was supposed to be our trip together and you are not able to go," I said concerned.

  "I am disappointed I can't go, but I wouldn't make you feel bad about going with Kaleb, if that is what you really want. I see how much you like him and how much he seems to like you."

  "You think he feels the same way about me too?" I said hopefully.

  "I really do. And this would be a chance for you guys to become closer and for maybe other exciting things to happen," she said winking.

  "Hey, I never agreed to sleep with him," I said defensively.

  "I know that. But you never know what could happen," she smiled.

  "True. But this seems like one of those vacation romances, where you have fun with the guy but never see him again. So it's probably for the best, if we don't get serious on this trip," I said.

  "Perhaps, but you may regret it if you don't."

  "I may regret it if I do." I said.

  "Does that mean you are going?" she said.

  "Yes, I think that means I am. Are you sure you are ok with it?" 

  "Who am I to stand in the way of love," she said.

  "Hey, I never said this is love," I said, my face reddening. 

  "Well, you never know if you don't go and find out. Have fun for me, and be sure to write," she said laughing.

  "In that case, I will tell Kaleb, that I would love to go with him," I said.  I sat there smiling at Candace.

  "What are you waiting for? Go and tell him you will be traveling with him to Chicago!" she exclaimed.

  "Sure. I got to pack and see where we are going and oh what else?" I exclaimed.

  "You'll figure it out. Please take some photos of the city for me, if you get a chance to get out of the hotel and all," she mused.

  "Very funny. But yes, I'll take some photos for you," I said. I gave her a big hug and smiled and ran off. When I got back to the lobby, I texted Kaleb and told him the good news. I asked him when we would leave and he said we could leave tomorrow. He would make arrangements for a hotel now. He would call me back in a few minutes with more details.

  By the time I got back to the hotel, he called me. "We will leave tomorrow at 5. I hope that is not too early for you?" he said.

  "I know, you probably want to beat traffic right?" I said.

  "You got it. I booked us a nice hotel on the Magnificent Mile," he said.

  "The what?"

  "It's the nickname for Michigan Avenue in Chicago. This is where all the action is. There are great shops and restaurants, all high end. It's popular for tourists. Then we can always visit some places too, off the beaten path," he said.

  "Sounds good. Come to think of it, our hotel where we were originally were going to stay was just off Michigan Avenue. Staying actually on Michigan Avenue is too expensive. I don't think I can afford it," I said.

  "Don't worry about it," he said.

  "I don't know you that well, I can't expect you to pay for it, for me."

  "I'll tell you what. Why don't you pay what you were going to pay at the other hotel and I'll pay the difference," he said.

  "I still would feel bad doing that."

  "Please. Think of it as an apology gift for the way I was acting to you a few days ago."

  "Ok, maybe I could do that. We will see," I said.

  "Do you want to meet for dinner to discuss our plans more?" he said.

  "I hope you don't mind but I'm tired and I need to pack and want to get to sleep early. If you want to call me in a little while to discuss things, that would be great, but I am sorry, I will pass," I said.

  "I understand. I'll call you at 7. How does that sound?" he said. 

  "Very good. I'll talk to you later," I said. 

  We spoke at that time about what we wanted to see in Chicago and he told me about some restaurants he heard about. Finally, I checked the time and realized it was close to 8 already. I needed to make sure everything was all packed and I was going to watch some tv before I went to sleep. 

  I finally fell asleep and when I woke up, I was back at my apartment. 

   Esme's POV

  I was happy that Tina was there at least when I was talking to Tyler. She wasn't a buffer like Olivia, but it felt less awkward that we were not alone. "I have to admit, I was surprised that you came, Esme," he said.

  "Well, I wanted to try something new, instead of staying in all the time," I said.

  Suddenly, Tina was waving at someone and before I knew it, she left to talk to that friend. I started to say something but she left before I got the words out. 

  "That's good to try new things. I'm glad you came," he said.

  "Uh thanks. I think I see someone calling me," I said suddenly.

  "You do? Listen, can I talk to you about something quickly before you go?" he asked.

  I thought for a second. I already gave myself an out and could just say that I didn't want to be rude to my friend and keep them waiting. But there was a part of me that wanted to know what he was going to say. That part won out over being a coward and leaving for that "fake friend". 

  "Sure. What's up?" I asked.

  "I want to let you know that Colin and I are not friends anymore. There is something you don't know about when Colin, you and I met that first night," he said.

  I tensed up. What was he going to say? I thought. 

  "I had told Colin earlier that I saw this woman in the club, that I thought was very attractive and wanted to meet. He had said that was great and that we should meet her. Before I had the chance to describe to him who that was, he rushes up to you and introduces himself. I hadn't had the chance to tell him that you were the one that I wanted to meet. By the time, I had gotten up there, it was too late to say anything. You guys were having a great conversation. So he introduced us quickly and then mentioned to you that there was a woman here that I wanted to meet and he was going to be my wingman. I couldn't tell him that you were the woman, so I made some excuse that the woman had left already, so I missed my chance."

  "I remember that. Wait, you were saying that I was the woman you wanted to meet? Not some other woman who left the bar? I had no idea," I said.

  "I know. I never told anyone about it," he said.

  "Even Colin?" I asked.

  "Well yes, but a bit after the fact. It was a few months after you both started dating," he said.

  I was taken back by this. I had no idea what to think about this. All this time that Tyler liked me. He never told his friend that he saw me first and I was the one he wanted to meet. He stepped aside for his friend.  But look at what that got him and me. Also, it shows the type of person he was, being able to put aside his potential happiness for his friend. I was just standing there in shock, not able to respond.