After the contest the girls head off to their usual spot at the bar. They had been sitting talking for a while, when she saw Adam through the crowd. She froze as she watched him walk her way with a purpose. she felt her heart beat faster, and she felt like she couldn't breathe. she had to get away.
"Hey, I've gotta run to the restroom for a moment, I'll be right back."

"Are you okay? Do you want us to come with?" Jean asked.

"No, I'll be fine. I'll be back in a few."

"Alright, we will wait for you here." Jean returned.

Ashley quickly got up and headed down a hallway. Once she got away from the crowd, she could breath. She looked to see if he followed her. As she looked she saw him coming down the hall. She turned to leave.

"Wait, Ashley! Stop. I need to talk to you!"

"We have nothing to talk about."

"Just let me explain! You never have me that chance!"

"Go ahead, Tell me." she said flatly. She didn't want to give him much or she would give in , but she wanted to hear what he had to say. She needed to give him that. She felt like she needed to let him explain. What if she was wrong about him then and she really hurt him instead. She wanted to know the truth and hoped he could tell her that.

"That night, someone must have told Stacy that I was home. She came to the house. I didn't even know that she was there until I heard her talking to you. We used to be together years ago. She has wanted me back ever since. I haven't given her the time of day since then. That night I threw her out of the house. Ashley, it is you I wanted, no one else. I haven't even been with anyone since you broke up with me. Please give me another chance."

She looked into his eyes and she saw the pleading there. Her eyes begin to tear up and he reaches up to wipe them away with his thumb.

"It hurt to hear another woman answer your phone. I was so angry! It made me do stupid things. I should have talked to you back then."

"I wanted so bad to come back and talk to you face to face. but I couldn't. When you told me you were done it's like my heart was ripped from my chest."

"I am so sorry. Can you ever forgive me?" I whisper.

"There is nothing to forgive, if you give me another chance. Will you come back to my room so we can talk alone?"

"Yes, I just need to escape the girls."

"Meet me at the elevators." He said as he kissed me on the cheek and headed back. I headed back to the girls and told them I wasn't feeling well and was headed back to the room. I then head to the elevators. He is standing there leaning against the wall with a big smile on his face. He pushes off when he sees me and pushes the up button. We head inside with the crowd and head to his room. As we stand in the elevator we are pushed closer and closer together. I feel him take my hand and entwine our fingers together. His thumb rubbing the back of my hand. It feels natural for our hands to be together. The ride up the elevator was quiet. We didn't speak. We arrived on his floor and he pulled me out of the elevator and we walked hand in hand to his room. He pulls out his key and opens the door and holds it open for me. I walk in and walk over to the window to look out over the city as he closes the door. As I'm looking out I feel two hands wrap around my waist as he nuzzles into my neck. He kisses my neck as I lean my head to the side to give him more access. Heat travels straight to my core. I am in so much trouble.

"I have missed you so much!" he says as he breathes deeply in my hair.

"Did you just smell me?" I giggle.

"I may have. You smell so good. I've missed it so much."

I turn around in his arms and wrap my arms around his waist and rest my head on his chest. I am so nervous but his heart beat calms me some. It feels so right to be in his arms. I missed his touch. I tried to forget him and move on, but I couldn't.

"Come, chere. Let's sit down and talk. We have a lot to catch up on."
We walk over to the bed and I sit against the head board after I take my shoes off.

"Would you like something to drink, soda or water?"

"I'll take a soda." He brings a soda for me and sits down next to me.

"She wasn't anything to me. I wish you had let me talk. I haven't touched another woman since I met you. I had hoped that someday I would find you again. I will get down on my knees and grovel at your feet. I will do anything to get you back. I really liked you and still do."

I listen to him pour his heart out to me as a tear rolls down his cheek. I want to believe him, but I still remember that night. It was like a punch to the gut when she answered the phone.

"What are you thinking, chere?"

"Just about that night. It really hurt."

"I'm sorry, but I told you. She is nothing."

"I know, but I can't help it."

"I meant it. I will do anything."

"You live in New York. How will we make this work."

"Not anymore. I moved here six months ago. I couldn't take New York anymore. I wanted to be close to you even if I never have you again. I was hoping I would find you again and I did. Could we at least try again. I would really like for us to work out."

"I would really like that too." I say as I scoot closer to him and wrap myself around him. He places his hand under my chin and lifts my face to look at him and he leans down to place his lips to mine. I lay my head back on his chest. He was silent for a while and I could feel his breath slow, and realize he had fallen asleep and I soon followed. I wake up the next morning and it is still early. I realize I am laying against a strong chest and look up and see Adam sleeping peacefully. I softly shake him awake. He slowly scratches and his eyes flutter open.

"Good morning, chere." He says sleepily as he smiles.

"Good morning, I have got to go. My friends are going to kill me."

"Just tell them where you were."

"I will. Maybe they will forgive me." I look at my phone, thankfully I had a phone charger in my bag that kept my phone charged. there were several text messages, missed phone calls and several voice messages. I ask him for his number then text him so he has mine again.

"I better go. so I can get this over with. I will call you later.'

Hey, how about we meet for lunch?"

"I would like that. I will call you later."

"I look forward to it." I quickly kiss his lips, grab my things and head back to the room. I call Redd as I head back so she can stop worrying. She picks up after several rings and answers sleepily.

"Where the hell have you been?" she asks.

"I ran into an old friend. We went back to his room and talked. We fell asleep. I am so sorry. I am heading back now."

"Uggh, You have to tell me all when you get here."

I make my way back to the room and everyone is asleep. I pull off my costume and put on my pjs to crawl into bed next to Redd to get a little more sleep. After a couple more hours we are all up and preparing for another day.

"So, spill it! What happened."Jean asked.

"Yes, we were worried about you." Von added.

"I ran into Adam when we were at the bar. He wanted to talk, so we went back to his room. He wanted to explain about that night. We talked for a long time and we fell asleep."

"That's all that happened?" Chris asked.

"Absolutely, I don't want my heart broken again."

"Ash, I know how much you liked him."

"I really did, and I think I still do. He told me he moved to Atlanta. So maybe we could make this work."

"I think you should give him another chance. I am still mad at you for last night though. We were scared to death."

"I know, and I am very sorry about that. I didn't plan it that way. I really meant to come back last night."

"You could have texted Jean." Von added.

"I know. I just wasn't thinking."

"Alright, let's get moving and get ready to go." Chris said with a huff.

We all start to get ready and I hear my phone alert that I had a text message.

Text- Good morning, Chere. I am so glad I finally found you again. I hope your friends weren't too mad at you . Looking forward to seeing you again. I should be free about one. I will meet you in front of High velocity."

Text- They were mad, but I deserved it. We talked it out. I will see you at one. Have a great morning, Sugar.

Text- I will now. See you then.

We had a fun morning filled with panels and walking through the walk of fame. Before long it was time for lunch.

"I am off to meet Adam, I will text you when we're done."

"We will be waiting." Jean smiles as they head off to another panel.