Later that evening, I was laying in bed, getting ready to sleep when I heard knocking. I groaned and walked over to the living room, to the front door. I opened it as Paul stood in front of me.

"Hi." He smiled. He handed me a bouquet of flowers and made his way inside.

"Paul these are beautiful." I smiled looking at them.

"Beautiful flowers for a beautiful girl."

I blushed and looked down. "Um...what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be off with the guys??"

"They're all off at some club. I told them I went off to get some rest at the hotel. But, here I am."

I giggled and kissed his cheek. "Have a seat. I'll make you some tea and set these in a vase. I didn't know flower shops were open at eleven in the evening."

"They're not." He smirked. "I got connections."

I smiled and shook my head. "Sneaky bastard."

"Only for you love. Look um, I wanted to talk to ye about something."

The kettle began to whistle as he spoke. I ran over to it and pulled it off the stove and made us both some tea. I came into the room and handed him his cup as I sat next to him on the sofa.

"Go on." I said. He turned red and sighed.

"This isn't easy Luce..."

I felt a little nervous as he said this. I just nodded for him to go on.

"I love ye Lucy. I always have and well...seein ye again just built up all these feelings and I can't control myself. I just want you so much.."

I watched as he slowly leaned in and kissed me. I kissed back and leaned in more, deepening the kiss. I felt his hands move to my waist, lifting my shirt up. I pulled back slowly and smiled against his lips.

"Let's go to the bedroom."

He nodded and stood up, scooping me in his arms and taking me to my bed.

..

Paul trailed small kisses along my collar bone as he moved into me. His skin pale from the moonlight shining through the curtains. I moaned softly, leaning my head back, my hands roaming his body as he breathed against my naked skin.

I moaned his name louder as he rocked his hips at a steady rythmn, my body tingling with excitement as he sucked on my breasts. I tangled my fingers into his hair as cries of pleasure escaped my lips.

"Paul..don't stop..."

He moved faster, making me grip onto his back as his body moved against mine. I couldn't hold back any longer. He kissed me passionatly as I came. My tongue making circles with his as he finished inside me minutes later.

We just stared at each other as we breathed heavily. He laid next to me and wrapped me in his arms. I snuggled close to his body and sighed.

"Are you going back tonight?"

"D'you want me to??"

I shook my head but then nodded. "It's better you do. You have a long day ahead of you."

He sighed and nodded. "You're right."

He gave me a kiss on the cheek and sat up, gathering his clothes off the floor. I watched him and smiled.

"Paul?"

"Yes love?"

"I'll be coming by tomorrow at the concert." He looked a little nervous as I said this.

"W...why?"

"I have an assignment for my magazine and...I'll be accompanying you all on your stay here in America. Don't worry I talked to Brian about it and he's on board." I smiled. He just nodded and sighed.

"L..Lucy I dunno if it's such a good idea..."

"Why not?"

"It just isn't." He said pulling his pants on and buttoning up his shirt. I felt a small pain of hurt in my chest. Why was he against me coming along? I thought he'd be happy.

"Paul...what aren't you telling me?"

"Lucy I just don't think it's a good idea that's all. Look I better get going." He finished putting his shoes on and made his way out of the room.

I wrapped the sheet around me and followed him.

"Paul please tell me what's wrong?"

He sighed and turned to me.

"We all haven't changed Lucy...were still those bastards that hurt you back then...we'll hurt you again. Don't let us." He kissed my cheek and left. I stared at the door and bit my lip.

..

The next morning, I spent dreading the evening. There was once a time I would've been excited to see all the guys again. But now...things are different.

What did Paul mean by what he said last night? Why didn't he want me around? I guess I'll find out later. To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to it.

I was tapping my pencil on my desk when I saw Andrew walk in with two coffees in hand. He came over and set one in front of me.

"You read my mind." I sighed taking a drink. He laughed.

"Yeah well, I know that look all too well." He pointed at my face. I laughed and shook my head. Before he could leave the room, I stopped him.

"Andrew get your ass back here."

"Yes Daniels?" He smiled.

"Did you really think I forgot?"

He sat in the seat next to my desk and watched as I pulled a small cake out of a box from the bakery. I lit the two candles on top.

"Twenty seven now right?"

"Yup. And still screwin like a teenager." He winked.

"God Andrew you're such a loser. Just blow." I pointed to the cake. He just smirked.

"So bossy." He closed his eyes and blew out the candles. I clapped as he laughed.

"What did you wish for??" I asked cutting the cake.

"I can't say or it won't come true."

"Come on." I pouted. He smiled and looked down.

"Alright then. Uhh well, I was wondering if maybe we can.."

"Yeah?" I asked sucking the icing off my finger.

"We can go out.."

I looked up at him. He froze and changed his tone.

"As friends of course I mean not like a date but you know if you want to think of it that way you can but it's definitly not. Just a movie and maybe dinner afterwards. If it doesn't work out at the end of the day we won't do it again."

I giggled and handed him a plate with cake. "I'd love to go out with you but...I'm going to be gone and..."

He looked down. "Oh. Right. Yeah I completely forgot about that..forget I said anything.."

"Andrew I would go if I wasn't busy."

"No it's understandable. I mean I have a few things to take care of anyways and...yeah." He stood up quickly and left my office. I stared out the doorway and sighed.

I felt terrible. I've been waiting for this moment for such a long time now. I've always had a crush on Andrew. He's been my best friend since I moved back to New York and I was blowing him off for the men who nearly ruined my life.

..

I didn't talk to Andrew the rest of the afternoon. The only time I spoke to him was before I left. He told me to have a good time but..I knew I'd have a better time if I would've just stayed and went out with him. But I didn't.

By the time I got to the Colesium, I was late. I couldn't even think with the amount of noise coming from the crowd. I walked backstage and took notes while trying to look for Brian. It was nine in the evening now as the concert came to an end. I walked down the hall, staring at my notes when I bumped into someone.

"Watch where you're going!" She yelled "D'you have any idea who I am?"

"Sorry I...Cynthia?.." I froze as we met again, face to face.

....