Dani opened the door and glared at AJ. “What in the hell do you want?”

AJ looked at her in confusion. “Didn’t you say you’d help me make Kayla jealous?”

“Yeah, so?”

“Well, let’s go,” AJ said smiling.

“Uh...now!” Dani said barely awake.

“Kayla’s at the pool, I thought we could go make her jealous now. The time seems right. Don’t you think?” AJ asked glancing at his watch.

“Alexander McLean! I told you I was going to sleep in! It’s only 9 am. Come back at noon,” Dani said reaching to shut the door.

“You promised,” AJ said hurt. “You said you’d help.”

“Momentary lapse of insanity,” Dani said without hesitation.

“C’mon Dani! Please!” he begged.

“God! Fine! I can’t stand when people beg,” she said pissed. “But you owe me now. Big time!”

“I’ll buy you dinner,” AJ swore.

“More than that,” Dani said shutting the door in his face.

She was calling him a whole bunch of nasty names in her head as she pulled her orange bikini out of her duffle bag. She put it on and grabbed a towel. It took 5 minutes to locate her flip flops.

AJ smiled as she opened the door. “Wow! Maybe I’m pursuing the wrong girl.”

“AJ don’t make me have to kick your ass,” Dani said walking towards the elevator.

AJ fell in step beside her. “Dani, you can’t act like you hate me. The object was to make Kayla jealous. We can’t do that unless you change your attitude.”

“Excuse me for wanting sleep. I never get to sleep in and when I finally get a chance to, you wake me up,” Dani complained. “I could hurt you right now.”

“Please don’t,” AJ said stepping into the elevator. “Look, I’m sorry about waking you up but the sooner we make Kayla jealous, the sooner you can do...well, whatever.”

Dani grabbed AJ’s arm before he left the elevator. “Hold on Alex. Have you even thought about what happens if this doesn’t work?”

“You told me she liked me,” AJ said softly.

“Yeah well that was to get you off my back at that time. Like I seriously know if she does or doesn’t,” Dani said rolling her eyes as she walked towards the pool.

“Danielle!” AJ yelled hurrying after her. He followed her to a small table where she set her towel down. “Does she or doesn’t she?”

“I don’t know,” she whispered making her way to the hot tub where Kayla was relaxing.

“Wow Dani! I was sure we wouldn’t be seeing you ‘til at least noon,” Kayla said surprised. She was even more surprised when AJ put his arm around her waist.

“She couldn’t resist my charm,” AJ said squeezing Dani’s side. “Right Dani?”

“Something like that,” Dani said between clenched teeth.

Kayla nodded politely but inside she had so many conflicting emotions. Had she waited to long to apologize to AJ? And if she had, how was she going to watch her friend and band mate date him?

“Yo Brian!” Nick yelled across the lobby. When he finally saw them he waved him over.

“Yeah,” Brian said smiling.

“Wanna join Kristen, Kevin, and I at a game of basketball?” he asked hopefully. “It would even out the teams and why are you in such a good mood?”

“I don’t know, could it be, I have a date,” Brian said nonchalantly.

“Sara said yes!” Kristen said shocked. “Wow, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t surprised. I truly never saw that coming.”

“Yeah, either did I. How’d you do it?” Nick asked curiously.

“Sorry, Nicky, that’s my secret,” Brian said pretending he felt bad he couldn’t share his secret with him. “Yeah, anyways, I’d be happy to join you guys. But can I invite Sara?”

“How about I get Sara and you manly men go get a court,” Kristen said already making her way towards the elevator.

Kristen only had to knock once before Sara opened the door.

“Thank God! I think I made a mistake. Can you believe I said yes? I swore to myself that there would be no one after Scott. And I was actually doing a really good job until I looked into his baby blues. It’s not the first time I’ve seen a hot guy. I’ve seen plenty, so why this one?” Sara asked finally taking a breath.

Kristen had to wait a couple seconds before she could say a thing. She was so close to laughing. “Sara, I haven’t heard you ramble like that in forever.” Kristen took a deep breath before continuing. “I’m assuming we’re talking about Brian.”

Sara nodded slowly. “Why did I say yes?”

“I don’t know but right now we’re going to go play a game of basketball,” Kristen said grabbing her arm and pulling her out the door.

“What about my problem?” Sara asked sadly.

“Sara, you have too many problems to deal with right now,” Kristen teased. She took the stairs instead and they were with the guys in a matter of minutes.

“I realized something,” Nick said when Sara and Kristen joined them. “With Sara, the teams are uneven again.”

“I don’t have to play,” Sara said turning to leave.

Kristen grabbed her wrist before se could get away. “Well, where’s Kirsten?”

Kevin smiled as his wife’s name was mentioned. “She had to fly home for a couple weeks.” Kristen nodded and opened her mouth to say something as Kevin said,” I’ll just sit out. Then it can be girls against guys.”

“No, you were here first,” Sara objected.

Brian smiled. “I have a better idea. Why doesn’t he play alternate?”

“Good idea,” Kristen exclaimed giving Sara a smug smile.

Sara had avoided looking at Brian but now her eyes strayed and she liked what she saw. He was wearing a pair of board shorts in Hawaiian print and a navy blue tank top. He looked great.

Brian knew she was staring at him and he couldn’t have been happier. Sara might say she wasn’t ready but her actions were saying something completely different.

Dani groaned as she pulled herself out of the pool. AJ had finally given her a moment’s peace and it was about time.

“Since when have you and AJ been a couple?” someone asked breaking into her thoughts.

Dani found herself looking up into Wade’s curious face. “Wow! News spreads fast doesn’t it?”

Wade followed her over to her stuff. “I overheard AJ talking to you. I don’t think anybody else knows.”

“Well, to let you in on a little secret, wait, can you keep a secret?” Dani asked.

“Yeah,” Wade said even more confused. What did a secret have to do with AJ and her.

“We aren’t exactly a couple,” Dani said looking around to make sure no one was looking. “We’re acting like one but definitely not one.”

“Why are you doing that?” Wade asked incrudiously.

“To...um...make Kayla jealous,” Dani said softly.

“No way,” Wade said giving her a strange look.

“Yeah way. AJ has a crush, well more than a crush,” Dani said smiling. “Why does it matter to you anyway?”

“No reason, except, what are you getting out of it though?” Wade asked simply. They stared at each other for a couple minutes before Wade turned to walk away.

Dani watched him walk away and for the first time in a long time, she wondered if she made a mistake. She hated second-guessing herself. But this time, Wade was right, what was she getting out of it?