The cold December air bit at my cheeks when I hit the sidewalk. The sun had long since set, and the clear sky was doing nothing to prevent the whip of icy air from slicing at any exposed skin. My eyes watered, only partly because of the temperature. They were so blurred that I almost didn't notice the car pull up in front of me.

"Get in," Lee commanded from a newly opened window.

I don't recommend getting into cars with strangers, but it was cold, and Lee was an acquaintance, albeit unwanted. Still, I regretted my choice as I settled into the thick, awkward air of the SUV's cabin. I sighed as I mentally added up my regret column.

"So, quick visit," Lee mumbled as he pulled into the street.

"Mmhmm," I murmured back.

"Look, I'm not an asshole. I know you think I'm some self-obsessed pretty boy...."

"I do," I cut him off to confirm.

"Yeah, well, to be fair, I think you're a presumptuous snob."

"What?" I snapped my face to see his profile.

"You assume you know me because of shit you've read or characters I've played," he continued.

"Who's making assumptions now? I don't know anything about you other than that you thought it would be funny to ruin my life a few days ago."

"Ruin your life? Really? Don't be so dramatic," he grumbled.

"Dramatic? Strangers stalk me, and I'm the dramatic one?"

"I've had a stalker. Photographers are just doing a job that people want doing. Blame public consumption."

"Oh, well, I guess I know your stance on drug dealers and murderers for hire," I lamented.

"See, dramatic," Lee chided again. "Anyway, this is entirely off-topic," he let out a frustrated grunt.

"There's a topic to be on?" I asked.

"Yes, otherwise, why would I have welcomed your sunny disposition into my car?"

"I don't know; because it's freezing, and you had a momentary lapse into being a decent human being."

"Can you put your entirely unfounded disdain for me aside for ten minutes so we can talk about Nathan?"

"Fine," I agreed.

"Look, he's a decent guy, and it's been a while since he's been interested in, well, anything. You seem to have sparked something, so you can't be that terrible."

"Oh, try not to be too kind," I lamented.

Lee shot me an annoyed look before returning his eyes to the road. "Look, I don't have a lot of time, but I need him to come home for the holidays." He let out a breath that deflated his torso and curled his shoulders in exhaustion. "I need help. I can't take care of him alone."

I burst into laughter. "Take care of him?" I managed between laughs.

Lee swerved the car to the side of the road and stared at me until I got my giggles under control.

"Look, I know you two just met, but he seems to have connected with you. Just," he shook his head as if fighting back words. "Just decide if you care about him, and if you do, help me get him home. He needs to go home."

"Why does going home matter so much?"

"Because if he doesn't go home now, he never will." He scanned my face. "Just talk to Nathan." He sat heavily back in his seat. "This is as close as I can get you to your building unless you want more attention." As he spoke, he stared at the steering wheel. "I'm not a terrible human being," he added, and for the first time, I believed him.

The sting of the winter freeze felt more refreshing this time. It cleared away errant thoughts and allowed me to focus. Trevor was right; no one had attracted my attention like Nathan in years. I liked him, but did I like him enough to deal with his proximity to celebrity? Lee pulled me closer to Nathan, though. What if this was more than me? I could walk away, but I was making that decision for two. The thought rubbed against me like sandpaper, filling me with the overwhelming urge to listen to Nathan.

When I got home, I settled into my favorite spot on the windowsill and called Nathan.

"Hey," he answered with a relieved breath on the first ring, pulling a smile to my face.

"Hey," I whispered back.

"We're a lot for one date," he added with a laugh.

"We certainly are," I agreed.

"Please tell me how I can make things less icky?" He pressed.

"The photographers and your life are something for me to deal with, not you."

"I want to help," he pleaded.

"I know, and you have. The rest is for me," I smiled.

"I did?"

I giggled a bit as I could picture his eyebrows knitting together as he pondered what he had done.

"You made me like you enough to deal with the commotion. Now, I need to deal with the commotion," I explained.

Nathan was silent on the other side for longer than I thought he could endure.

"Are you still there?" I asked.

"Yes," his voice cracked. "I was just fist bumping like the Giants finally made it to the Super Bowl. Let me have my moment; the Giant keeps sucking, so I needed the win."

"Giants fan? Aren't you a Midwest boy?"

"Yeah, there were a lot of Chiefs fans in my childhood, but I liked the Giants. I was the reason Lee and I ended up in New York. I wanted to come here so badly, and he just followed me here. Then, he was discovered, and the rest is history."

"Oh, huh? Why did you come here?"

"School. It didn't stick long for Lee; he got so busy so quickly. I became his assistant by accident. I was helping him out more and more, and then one day, he came home and handed me a check. I guess I passed the interview," Nathan laughed.

"Do you prefer Nat or Nathan?"

"Oh, hmm. I'm used to Nat, but I like that you call me Nathan. My mom always called me Nathan."

"What's your mom like?" I smiled as the tension I had been carrying all afternoon melted further away with every word from Nathan's lips. I liked him; I enjoyed listening to him.

"Oh, she was great. She helped."

"Helped with what?"

"Everything? She wouldn't just solve problems; that's more my dad. My mom would get you there, but make you do the work yourself, except for food. She would kick me out of the kitchen so fast. I'm a terrible cook."

I giggled. "So, your Mr. Fix-it comes from your dad?"

"Yeah, he was a like bull when it came to a problem. Fix it fast; fix it right. I guess I'm more like that. You seem more like my mom," he added to himself.

"Nathan, can I ask..."

"You can ask anything," he quickly offered.

"You talk about them in the past tense. When did you..."

"Oh, yeah," he paused for a moment at the implication. "They passed in a car accident."

"I'm so sorry. I lost my dad a few years back. It's terrible," I offered.

"What about your mom?"

"I didn't know her. It was just my dad and me for as long as I can remember. We moved around a lot, so I didn't really have many friends or a place that felt like home. I think that's why I envy people that grow up out of the city."

"Mmhmm," Nathan distractedly murmured. "Hey, can we try the in-person thing again? I know I blew my shot, but I could use a friendly face. I can come to you."

"Yes! I'd love to see you." I smiled.

"Okay, I'll see you soon, Ana. Thanks for calling."