Friday had arrived. Laci's date with Trent was tonight and she was going through her closet trying to decide what to wear.

"Why do women always go through their clothes before a date?" she mumbled out loud.

"Because we women always want to look our best", Ashley said, as she walked into Laci's room.

"Can I help? " she offered.

With a sigh of desperation Laci threw her hands in the air and sat down on the edge of the bed.

"It's no use Ashley. I don't see anything that feels like it would be the right thing to wear for tonight, and besides that, I don't know if this is even a good idea going out with Trent".

"What do you mean, Laci"? Ashley asked, looking concerned about her best friend.

"It's just that after all I went through with Scott, suddenly I don't know if I'm good enough for Trent". Laci said, as she looked at her friend sadly.

"Oh Laci - you are a wonderful woman and Trent will be so lucky to have you in his life," Ashley said as she hugged her friend.

"Thanks Ashley - you always know just what to say", Laci said, as she hugged her friend back.

"All right then. Will you help me pick out something to wear?"

"Sure Laci", Ashley said.

They rummaged through Laci's closet and since it was spring, they decided on a casual dress that had a light blue background with flowers on it, with short sleeves and a long flowing skirt. They added sandals and a light sweater and they were finished.

Laci nodded her approval and thanked Ashley once more.

"You'll be fine Laci and you'll have a great time tonight. You couldn't be going out with a nicer man", Ashley said.

"Thank you Ashley. I appreciate that. What about you and Carlos? How are things with the two of you"? Laci asked.

"We're doing very well", Ashley said with a twinkle in her eye.

Laci raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what does THAT mean?" Laci asked, teasing

her best friend.

"What it means is that Carlos and I are in love and I couldn't be happier about it", Ashley answered, teasing her best friend back. "In fact, he'll be here later on for our date."

"And I couldn't be happier for you Ashley", Laci said, hugging her friend.

"What are the two of you doing this evening?" Laci asked, looking at her friend while getting dressed.

"I'm cooking dinner for Carlos, then we're going to rent some movies and come back here to watch them". Ashley said.

"Sounds like you two have a nice evening planned. I hope you both enjoy yourselves", Laci said, happy for her friend.

"We will. Now, it's almost 7 and Trent is always on time so let's finish getting you ready", Ashley said.

"The butterflies are starting already", Laci said nervously.

The doorbell rang at exactly 7p.m. and Laci opened the door to find Trent standing there. He was wearing a navy jacket over a medium blue shirt with a navy tie, navy slacks and black shoes. Laci didn't say anything at first, because she was looking into his eyes thinking of what a handsome man he is.

Trent stood there speechless as well, thinking about how beautiful she is.

"Are you two ready?" Ashley asked laughing, breaking the trance.

"Uh....sure". Trent said, still looking at Laci. "Are you ready Laci?" Trent asked.

"I'm ready Trent", Laci said.

Trent walked Laci to his blue Corvette and opened the door for her. Then they drove to the restaurant. He opened the door again and they walked into the restaurant side by side and were seated right away. After their dinner had been ordered, they looked at each other again.

"How have you been doing since I saw you last?", Trent asked, concerned.

"Fine, Trent. It may take some time, but I know I'll be just fine", Laci said with that bright smile on her face.

"I'm really glad to hear that," Trent said, smiling back at her.

The waiter came with their salads and they started to eat. Just when they had finished their salads, the main course arrived.

"This looks wonderful", Laci said, really looking pleased at what she had ordered.

"It tastes as good as it looks too. This is my favorite restaurant", he said, a little bit shyly.

Laci blushed a little - she was flattered that he would take her to his favorite restaurant. "Thank you for bringing me here. This is very nice," Laci said.

They finished their meal, the waiter cleared their table, and suddenly they both spoke at the same time.

"You first", Laci said, looking at him with the same bright smile of hers.

"Would you like to go for a walk?" Trent asked, hoping she would say yes, but afraid she'd say no.

Laci looked at him and smiled again. "I'd like that very much," she said, the butterflies starting again.

"Great. Whenever you're ready we can go", Trent said.

"I'm ready - let's go," Laci replied.

Once again Trent opened the door of his car for her and she realized how good she felt about being in the company of a real gentleman.

As if reading her mind Trent said, "If it's all right with you, I have a favorite place I go to. It's a lake with trails that go all the way around it. But if you would prefer something else that's fine". Trent explained, looking at her to be sure she was all right.

"I'd really like to see your favorite place Trent," she said, smiling at him. She could sense his concern and wanted to reassure him that she was okay. In fact, she was better than okay. She really liked him - a lot.

Trent smiled back, happier than he'd been in a long time. He was glad she felt safe with him, and he would never allow anyone or anything to ever hurt her again.

Carlos arrived at 8p.m., and when Ashley opened the door he stepped inside and pulled her close to him and kissed her.

"Mmmm" Ashley said, smiling. "That was very nice".

"Yes it was", Carlos said, smiling back at her. "Speaking of Mmmm - something sure smells good", Carlos said.

"Oh, that's my special recipe for Cordon Bleu," Ashley said.

"It's all ready, so have a seat and we'll get started".

Ashley served Carlos then sat down to enjoy her dinner too.

"This is great Ashley - I knew you were a good cook, but this dish is really special. Thank you", he said.

"You're welcome", Ashley said, very pleased that he enjoyed her cooking.

After dinner they left for the video store to rent the movies they had decided on earlier in the week. On the way there, Ashley was thinking about Laci.

"Don't worry Ashley - You know Trent. She's perfectly fine with him and this will be good for her". Carlos said, trying to reassure her.

"I know you're right Carlos, but I kind of pushed her into this a little and after what's she's been through I just hope she's not too nervous about it", Ashley said.

"Believe me, you didn't push her. If she didn't want to go she wouldn't have. You've always told me how strong-willed she is", Carlos said.

"Thanks Carlos, I needed to hear that", Ashley said, relaxing now.

"That's right, just relax. You'll see - when she gets home she'll have had a good time and she will be just fine", he said, reassuring her.

They got to the video store, rented three videos and headed back home.

Trent and Laci arrived at the lake and parked. Laci couldn't believe how beautiful the lake was and she watched the moonlight as it danced across the water. Before she knew it, Trent had opened the door and was holding his hand out to her, which she took without even thinking. They walked hand in hand to the edge of the water and just stood there watching the moonlight.

"I can see why you come here Trent. This is the most beautiful place I've ever seen", she whispered in awe.

"And you are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen," Trent said as he turned to look at her. He half wanted to take back what he said, not because he didn't mean it, but because it sounded so forward.

Laci turned towards him and looked into his eyes as her own eyes showed him just how much what he said meant to her.

Trent read her look perfectly and put a hand under her chin and gently lifted her face up as he leaned down to kiss her softly on the lips. Then he pulled back to make sure she was all right.

Laci smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck and this time when they kissed it felt like they had finally found that one special person they had been looking for.

Trent held her close, his arms wrapped tightly around her. Laci liked the way he held her - it made her feel safe and warm. They stood there for a while holding each other as the water ran across the top of their feet.

The night had flown by and it was almost sunrise.

"I'd better take you home so you can get some rest Laci", Trent said, smiling. He was already in love with her, and he wanted to always be there to take care of her. He didn't want this night to end - their future was just beginning, and he knew it.

"Oh Trent, the sun is about to come up. Can't we watch the sunrise together?" Laci asked, full of eagerness for the new day ahead, and not wanting to be away from Trent either. She felt the same way he did, and was looking forward to spending more time with Trent.

"I was hoping you'd say that" Trent said, with a big smile on his face. They found a beautiful spot on the shore and sat down, holding each other while watching night turn into day as the moon disappeared over the horizon, while the sun came up and the water sparkled with the suns rays.

Ashley and Carlos had watched all three videos and some late night shows, wondering where Laci and Trent were.

"I hope everything is okay", Ashley said, looking concerned. She got up to go to the phone.

"Don't worry Ashley - they're fine. Trent would never let anything happen to her, and if there were a problem we would have heard something. We'll wait up until they get here, okay?" Carlos asked. Then he walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her in a big hug.

"They better have a very good explanation for this", Ashley said sternly, with her arms wrapped tightly around Carlos. Secretly, she was glad because this meant her best friend was enjoying herself and that the spark she had seen between Trent and Laci earlier must be stronger than she first thought.

"Yes, we'll wait up until they get back", Ashley said.