Nick had thought about Mallory while he was walking back to where he was before she had come up to him. Her eyes were so beautiful, bright blue and sparkling like the sky above him. She wasn't that tall, maybe five-six, her hair was a beautiful shade of brown and it was long and wavy. Natural beauty. He didn't notice she had worn any make up either, so she truly was beautiful and her voice? That voice was truly amazing, made his heart melt listening to her sing.

He would do everything he can to help her make her dreams come true, she is one rare talent that the world needs to see. He walked to his car and took a drive into the country. It was late afternoon now and the sky was a colorful ray of pink, purple and orange. It was beautiful. He ended up out near an old oak tree on a bank of a small pond. He got out of his car and walked around just looking at nature all around him. His mind wandered to Mallory and wondered if she had a spot like this back home that she would go to to escape the world for a while.

He had no idea why he couldn't stop thinking about her, but his mind kept wandering to her, he was drawn to her and he had no idea why. He would do everything in his power to see her again and soon.

She seemed scared when he touched her when she walked away but maybe with time, she will learn to trust him, learn that he would never hurt her. He went back to his car after about an hour and went home. He walked into his house and to the kitchen to grab a beer. He opened it, took a drink and sat down at the bar looking at his email to listen to her song.

Her voice had filled the room and he couldn't help but smile and imagine her in the bathroom singing the song into a brush as his sister has done so many times growing up. He called his producer and asked him to come over, so he could play the song for him. About fifteen minutes later he showed up.

"Hey man can I get you anything to drink?"

"Yea scotch on the rocks please." Ryan said. He got a bottle out and put some ice in a glass and poured him a drink. He took a drink and sat the glass down.

"So, you said you had something for me to hear?"

"Yea. Listen to this woman's voice, man." He hit play and again Mallory's voice filled the room. Ryan sat there and listened to the song without saying a word, Nick watched his face looking for any reaction, but he just sat there listening. When it was over, he looked at him.

"Where did you find this?"

"Believe it or not, in town. I was standing on the sidewalk and she came up to me to introduce herself and we got to talking and she told me she came here to try to get into music, said she went to college for it and wanted to see where she could go. She said she had a song for someone to listen to and I asked her if I could hear it. She let me and I emailed it to me because I knew she had an amazing talent."

"You aren't lying. She is amazing. Get in touch with her and have her come to the company tomorrow around eleven, I want to meet this woman."

"Ok you got it. Thanks man, I appreciate it."

"Anytime you find a voice like that, let me know." He drank the rest of his drink. "I gotta get back, I have a meeting in a half an hour. We'll talk soon."

"Ok, have a good rest of the day." He left. Nick sent Mallory an email telling her about the meeting tomorrow.

Mallory' phone went off and she looked at the email that Nick sent her.

'Didn't take him long at all to get me to talk to someone. Quite impressive' she thought to herself. She sent an email back letting him know that she will be there also with her phone number and address as he asked for it.

She poured a glass of wine and went into her bathroom to draw a bath, she put on soft music, got undressed and put her wine on the small table next to the tub and got in. She sank into the warm water letting it sooth her skin. She closed her eyes relaxing, her mind relaxed along with her body.

She fell asleep because when she woke up it was dark, and the water was cold. She got out and dried off and put her robe on and grabbed her glass of wine that was still almost full. She went into the kitchen to make something to eat. As she was cooking, she turned her music on and was singing that she didn't even hear someone knocking on her door until the doorbell rang. She looked at the clock, nine at night. 'Who would come over this late? I don't even know anyone yet to have someone visit me' she thought as she walked toward the door.

She looked through the peephole and saw Nick. She gasped and opened the door.

"Hi. What are you doing here?" She asked when she opened the door.

"I wanted to come see you, may I come in?"

"That's tempting but no, I'm making a late dinner and going to be going to bed soon."

"Please I won't stay long, I just want to talk to you." She sighed and opened the door.

'How could I not let him in with those dreamy eyes and killer smile'. He walked in and looked around her living room.

"Beautiful home. You decorate it yourself?"

"Yes, I did. I have been here for a few months, I saw this house online when I was shopping for homes here and I fell in love with it, so I put in an offer and they accepted it and here I am."

"You're buying it?"

"Yes. My parents were loaded, and they had passed away a few months ago leaving me everything, after they died is when I decided to move out of that town into a whole new city in a new state."

"I'm sorry about your parents." She scoffed.

"Don't be. If they are in hell, it's not what they deserve. They deserve to I don't even know what a word would be for them. Let's just say hell is too good for them."

"Ok not going to ask. So, what are you cooking?" They were in her kitchen now and he looked on the stove and looked in the pan inhaling.

"Smells good whatever it is."

"It's nothing really just noodles, and I'm going to add butter and seasoning to them once they are done and the shrimp, simple yet good. It's late so I don't want to eat anything heavy before I go to bed."

"Why are you eating so late if you don't want to eat anything heavy at nine at night?"

"I took a bath and I guess I fell asleep because when I woke up it was dark, and I hadn't eaten yet."

"Oh gotcha. Mind if I sit?"

"No, not at all, do you want anything to drink?"

"Beer if you have it."

"I don't drink beer, but I have wine and vodka."

"Wine sounds good."

"My parents owned a huge ranch back home and one of the things we did on that ranch was make wine, so I have a big supply."

"What happened to the ranch since you're not there to take care of it?"

"I sold it, I want nothing to do with my parents or my home state. Too many bad things there."

"But you sold it, so therefore it's their money."

"No, it isn't. when they died, they left everything to me, so it was in my name when I sold it so therefore it's my money. I have enough to last ten or more lifetimes so if you're thinking that I'm here to go into music to get rich, save the thought. I don't need money. I just want to sing, it's my passion. It's all I ever wanted to do. I have been singing since I was 2, I didn't talk as much as I sang." She said, a little irritated at Nick's words.

"Ok sorry didn't mean to pry. You just seem like you're so put together but also seem broken somehow. I know you don't know me but if you ever want to talk, I'm here."

"Thanks, but I'm fine. I just want to forget it all, forget all the horrible things. Things I can't change now even if I wanted to."

"You really went through a lot, didn't you?"

"Yes, I did. That's one reason why I flinched when you barely touched my arm, I got scared. What I went through, I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I haven't been close to a man or had the touch of a man in years, I don't think I will ever be able to bring myself to let it happen."

He stayed silent, and wouldn't break eye contact with her.

"Way to go Mallory way to bring down the mood."

"It's ok, you can trust me with anything, I promise I won't break that trust if you choose to trust me." He said looking into her eyes searching for something in her soul, she could feel it. It made her uncomfortable, so she turned and went to the stove to finish making her dinner.

As she was draining the noodles, Nick finished up the shrimp and found things with ease in the kitchen. As he was walking past her, he brushed against her and it felt like fire was on her skin. She stood still for a moment trying to gather herself, he didn't seem to notice because he kept walking to the fridge to get the butter out. He came back over to the counter and finished up the shrimp. She put the butter in the pan and let it melt and added the noodles seasoning and shrimp.

When it was done, she took out two plates and scooped out some on each plate, she sat them down on the table and she noticed he had poured more wine in her glass and had silver wear out on napkins, she smiled and sat down.

"Are you going to join me or am I to eat while you watch?" She asked, looking up at him. He cleared his throat.

"Yes, thank you. I was just thinking."

"Oh? What about?" He sat down and took a drink.

"Nothing really important." He said.

"If you say so, you look like you were lost in thought."

"I was but I'm back now. This smells great." He took a bite and moaned.

"Good?"

"Amazing. Are you sure you want to sing? You can be a chef. In all my life I have never tasted shrimp that was this amazing." She smiled.

"Thank you, cooking is something else I love doing." They ate and talked about music and around eleven Nick was falling asleep on the couch. She got a blanket and covered him up and went to bed.

It was around six when Nick woke up, not realizing where he was at first. He looked around and remembered he was at Mallory's house. He looked down and saw he had a blanket on him and smiled. He looked around the room just taking in her home feeling peaceful lying on this comfy couch.

He got up and found the bathroom. He walked in and what else would he expect but female touch to it. It was the color of peach and white with a hint of lavender. There was a glass filled with colorful marbles on the back of the toilet. Above that was hand towels hanging and she had a table with an iPod dock next to the tub with bubble bath and bath salts sitting on a shelf against the wall.

He used the bathroom, washed his face and hands and went to make a pot of coffee and breakfast. Around seven thirty he heard Mallory come out of her bedroom and down the stairs. Her hair was messy, and she was yawning when she walked in.

She must have forgotten he was here because she screamed when she saw him. He couldn't help but laugh.

"Good morning." He said, handing her a cup of coffee.

"Good morning." She said then took a drink. She sat down at the table.

"Want some breakfast?" He asked her, and she nodded. He put eggs, bacon and two pancakes on her plate. He put it in front of her and got himself a plate and sat down.

"Thank you. This is sweet of you to do."

"It's the least I could do since I kinda crashed at your place last night and interrupted your night also."

"That's ok, I didn't mind the company. I couldn't find it wise to wake you up when it was so late, and have you drive home anyways. If you would have gotten hurt, I would never be able to forgive myself."

"Well I appreciated the couch for the night. It was comfortable, I can't believe I actually slept all night without being bothered by my phone all night with stuff going on."

"Well you know you can turn it off if you don't want to be bothered so you can get some sleep."

"That's true but with my new video and album coming out soon, I have to keep it on. Speaking of, are you nervous about your meeting today?"

"Not really at least not yet. It's too early to be nervous. I'm sure once I get there I will be though."

"You'll be great. Ryan is a great guy, he's a go go go kinda guy so if he gets way ahead of you and you can't keep up, ask him to slow down a little and he will but you will be fine. He's one of the biggest names in music so trust me when I tell you, he was blown away by your song."

"Wait, how do you know?"

"He came over to my place and I played it. He loved it."

"Wow so today might go really well then."

"Yea I'm betting it does." He couldn't help but watch her, her bright blue eyes so piercing that he could swear she could see right through him. Her long burgundy curly hair was loose and messy, she had long legs and a small waist. She was tall but not too tall, just perfect. Her skin had a natural tan and her smile was damn perfect. He couldn't help but look at her in her own element in her comfort zone and allowed him to see it.

"So, I guess I should shower and get ready, it's almost eight thirty and it takes a while to get this mop tamed." She laughed.

"If I had that hair I could only imagine. Do you want a ride to the studio or what?"

"Yea thanks, you also need to shower, you're wearing the same thing you wore yesterday you know."

"I know, I'll go home shower and be back here in a bit."

"Ok if I don't answer, there is a key above the door just let yourself in but don't come up stairs." He laughed.

"You got it. I'll see you soon." He put his plate in the sink, rinsed it and left.

When Nick left, she went up the stairs and started her bath and picked out a yellow sun dress with a white half top that was laced to wear over it, it didn't button so it went perfect with the dress for a meeting and wedges. She took her robe off and sat it on the sink and got into the tub. She washed her hair and sat back to relax for a little bit, she turned on her music and it filled her bathroom with Nick's voice. 'He was a real sweet guy, didn't realize how sweet till I met him'. She washed her body and got out. She dried off and got dressed. She dried her hair and put moose in it and pulled it up, leaving a strand of hair hanging on each side of her face. She put a necklace and earring on and did her makeup, she put perfume on and she put her shoes on and took one final look in the mirror before she walked down the stairs.

When she walked into the living room she saw Nick sitting on the couch looking at his phone. When he heard her, he looked up.

"Wow, you look beautiful." He said standing up.

"Thank you, shall we?"

"Yes, let's go." They headed out and got into his Chevy truck that was silver and big. She stepped on the step on the bottom just to get into the seat. He shut the door and went around the truck and got in. He started it and country came on the radio and naturally she started singing along. He looked at her and smiled his beautiful smile and joined her.

They arrived at the studio and he pulled up front, got out and opened her door for her, giving her his hand to help her out. She got out, brushed herself and looked at the doors.

"Now I'm nervous."

"You'll do great and if you'd like, I can be there with you to help."

"Would you?"

"Of course. I'd be honored."

"Well thank you, it's now or never, right?"

"Right. Come on." They walked inside and went to the elevator and they arrived on the 25th floor. When the doors opened, she was confused.

"What are we doing here?"

"You'll see." He winked at her and took her over to where a tall handsome man was sitting.

"Ryan, this is Mallory, Mallory, this is Ryan."

"It's nice to meet you Ryan and thank you for seeing me."

"Pleasure is all mine. Please have a seat." She sat down, and Ryan didn't say anything for a few minutes then he turned to face her.

"So, I need you to go in there and put the headphones on." She didn't say anything, just nodded and walked into the booth. She stood there for a minute looking at the room before she put the headphones on and waited.

A few minutes later she heard music in her ears and when it was time, she closed her eyes and started singing with all her heart and soul, right there on display. When the music ended, she stood there waiting for instructions on what to do next. A few minutes later Ryan told her to come out with them.

She stood there as she wasn't sure whether to sit back down or to leave. It seemed like years before Ryan finally spoke.

"I'm sorry it's taken me some time to gather my thoughts, there are really no words on what I just heard." She swallowed hard.

"So, should I go or...?" He looked at her and laughed.

"Hell no! I'm going to take this demo and let everyone else hear this and get you a contract. You are incredible Mallory!" He said with excitement.

"Told ya it'll go well." Nick said with a wink.

"Ok so what do I do then?"

"You sit here, and I'll be back soon." Ryan walked off and she sat down sighing a deep sigh.

"Well looks like you weren't that nervous when you were in there, you were just amazing. It sounded so much better than the bathroom." He smiled. She laughed.

"Yes, definitely much better. I didn't think it was going to go that well. I never have good luck, ever. With how my life was for a long time, I wasn't expecting much out of coming here but I'm glad I met you because if I didn't, I don't think I would be here right now, I'd still be trying to get someone to listen to my song I'm sure."

"Well things happen for a reason, good or bad, right? Stick with me kid, I got your back." She couldn't help but laugh but somehow, she knew he was sincere in his words.

"I have a feeling I can believe you on that." He nodded and sat down. They talked for a little bit waiting for Ryan to come back out. When they heard the elevator, they both looked toward the door. Ryan stepped out along with three other people.

"Mallory, this is Steve, Mark and Steph. They are our lawyers. They are here to discuss your contract, for you to understand the terms of it. We're going to go to the conference room and have a long talk about everything, ok?"

"Sounds good to me." They all walked into a big room with a long oval shaped table. They all sat at one end, Nick and her on one side, the lawyers on the other and Ryan at the end. She got handed a pile of papers and a pen. Mark started speaking,

"Ok we will go over each page one at a time with you, so you know what's in here. We will be here for a while, so we'll order lunch and get through this. I promise, it's worth it."

"Ok sounds good to me."

"Alright let's get started."