Chapter Five

As they pulled up to they restaurant, Nick looked at Gwen and said, "You look beautiful tonight, I don't think I got a chance to tell you that earlier."

"Thank you, but really Nick, this is too much," Gwen said as the car stopped in front of one of her favorite restaurants, Celestine Gardens. "You really shouldn't have done this for me."

Nick thought to himself, 'I am doing this for both of us, you will see.' Instead he said, "I had to try."

The pair walked up as the door opened for them.  The restaurant was empty, the room was lit by white taper candles that surrounded them.  There was a single table set in the middle of the large room with red rose petals leading to it.  Gwen couldn't understand why someone she barely knew, a celebrity at that, would do all of this for her.  She began to feel uncomfortable.  Nick looked at her and gave her a soft smile that was meant to be reassuring, but it wasn't.  It made Gwen more nervous than she already was.  She could tell by the ambiance of the room that this was meant to be a romantic dinner.  It made her feel guilty, partially because she secretly liked the idea that Nick had done this for her and partially because she thought of Collin and the fact that she was to marry him in 10 months.  She knew she shouldn't be here, but something inside of her couldn't make her leave. She also knew that Nick had more than this planned, the was only the beginning of what was obviously going to be one of the most romantic dinners of her life.  She was so engrossed in her own thoughts that she barely felt Nick take her hand in his as he spoke, "Are you alright?"

Gwen tried to collect her thoughts as he lead her to the table.  She said shakily, "Yes, I am fine, I just feel a bit ackward being here with you."

"I understand...this isn't the ideal situation for me either, but I couldn't chance missing out on a night with you.  I am sorry, but as I said before, I had to try."

"Its ok, really."

They sat and drank wine as they talked through dinner.  Gwen found Nick to be very funny and extremely attentive.  They talked about Cree, the tour, her job, traveling.  Things were going great until out of nowhere, Nick brought up the subject she dreaded most, "So, tell me about Collin."

"I love Collin, we are getting married in 10 months."

"Ahh, a July wedding.  How long have you been seeing him?"

"Nearly five years, we met our freshman year of college at a frat party.  My sorority and his fraternity did a lot together.  Anyway, I had way to much to drink at the party and I got sick.  Collin took care of me and we have been together ever since."

"When did he propose?" Nick asked.

"Well, we had discussed marriage before we graduated and he gave me a promise ring at the beginning of our junior year.  He actually proposed the night of my Spring Formal Senior year.  We have been engaged for about a year and a half."

"Wow, you two have been together for a long time."

"Yeah, since right after my 19th birthday.  We have never fought, always given eachother space.  I am a very independent person, I need the room to grow as a person on my own.  Collin was really upset about my moving here but he has accepted it.  He understands that I need things that are just mine.  I love this city.  He has been looking for a job out here for after we get married."

Nick just listened, without saying a word.  He thought to himself, 'What am I doing here, she is totally into this guy' as she continued talking...

"Collin is so stable, everything I could ask for in a partner.  Sometimes I feel like I don't give enough to the relationship but he understands, or he tries to at least.  He loves me so much, and I love him but things change.  I know that I will never feel for him what he does for me and he knows that.  We have decided that we go well together."

"Excuse me for saying this," Nick paused before he continued, thinking cautiously over his next choice of words, "But don't you think there is something missing?"

"Like what?  The fact that Collin loves me more - no, I used to but we are open about it.  He understands me."

"But don't you want passion?  Fire?  You need someone to move you and sweep you off your feet."

"Nick, I don't think you should have an opinion on something you don't understand," Gwen replied defensively.

"I just think that you deserve more.  You should love the man you spend the rest of your life with like you can't breathe without him."

"My god, codependcy, that is sick."

"There is nothing wrong with needing someone.  You should be with someone who completes your heart, not someone who is just a good partner."

At this point, Gwen knew she had said to much and she had to get out of the situation, "Well Nick, maybe you are right, but I am going to marry Collin - I need to go.  I have an early meeting tomorrow.  Thanks for the gifts, I appreciate it really, but I think I have given you the wrong idea by coming here.  I would really like to be your friend, no more, no less."

"OK, I understand." Nick agreed but felt like he had taken a consolation prize.  "Let me see you home."

When they pulled up to Gwen's building, Nick helped her out of the car, "Thanks for tonight Nick" Gwen said as she kissed his cheek and entered the building.

Nick stood there, not saying a word, touching his cheek with his hand.  He thought to himself, 'I know I have a shot at this.'

Chapter 6
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