we started as friends, but something happened inside me

"Where the hell is he?" Bridget muttered, bending over to lace up her boots; she pulled back her scratchy wool sweater to check her watch. "He's already an hour late. And now I'm talking to myself again. Damn him."

All around her, happy skiers and family members bundled up and set off out into the crisp winter day; up onto the slopes they went, talking and laughing, their faces red from the chill. Bridget sat inside, watching and waiting, as she did almost every time she made plans these days.

She straightened up, crossed her legs and pulled a magazine onto her lap. At least she'd thought to think ahead and be prepared for his tardiness.

Her sun kissed brown hair was swept into a messy bun, though it was starting to come loose due to her excessive movements of checking her watch and messages on her cell phone, and tapping her foot angrily against the rugged floor. The sound of someone running behind her caught her attention and she flipped the magazine page, nearly ripping the corner off. He came to a stop just behind her and before he spoke, he watched her for a moment and something tugged at the pit of his stomach.

Something he'd never felt before. At least not around Bridget.

"Bridge?" He asked tentatively, setting a hand on her shoulder.

She turned towards him, her brown eyes blazing with a fiery temper, "Oh, hi, I'm not sure I know you. I'm Bridget." She thrust her hand out towards him; his green eyes softened and he moved to sit beside her, ignoring her proffered hand.

now i'm reading into everything, but there's no sign you even like me

"I'm really sorry I'm late," he sighed, and he sounded as if he really meant it.

The barrier Bridget had forged around her heart crumbled at the look of his sad face and she slipped the magazine into her bag before engulfing him in a hug. "It's okay. I should be used to it by now."

"Don't be like that," Clay replied, in a pleading voice.

"Like what?"

"Like I'm dog poop on the bottom of your Jimmy Choos."

She cracked a smile and he grinned at her; then she noticed he was not at all dressed for a day of skiing. "Clay, you're wearing a leather jacket and JEANS."

"Oh, am I not supposed to combine those two articles of clothing?" He looked like he really was worried he'd committed a fashion faux pas.

"No, I mean, aren't we going skiing?" Bridget gesticulated towards the door and Clay's face contorted in a cringe.

"I can't," he managed at last, squinting at her to see how mad she looked. "I have a meeting, then an interview and a photo shoot---"

Bridget held her hand up, shushing him, "It's fine. I'll go by myself."

"No, come with me!"

She shook her head and gathered up her things to stuff them in a locker. "I'd rather not, thanks."

you don't ever notice me turning on my charm, or wonder why i'm always where you are

Clay pouted out his lower lip and gave her his best look, which usually made her melt into a puddle of goo. "Please? Please come with me? I want you there. I tried calling you last night to ask you to come for the day, but you didn't answer."

"I was probably in bed." Her voice was bland as she made her way towards the lockers. He followed her, looking almost defeated.

"I'll blow it off," Clay suggested hopefully. "It won't be a problem, I can reschedule it all. I can't ski in this stuff, but maybe we can go get some lunch and just hang out for the day?"

Bridget turned around to face him and noticed he was standing directly behind her; they were barely an inch apart, she could feel his chest rising with each breath he took. Clay suddenly noticed how close they were, but didn't move. Instead he brought his hand up and tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear in a very loving gesture. She pulled away, clearing her throat, "No, you can't do that. Your fans need you. I'll be fine on my own."

i've made it obvious, i've done everything but say it

"Will you PLEASE at least come to the interview? Or the photo shoot? I'll only hold you up for an hour, tops. Come on, Bridget. I really, really want you to be there with me. I hate doing these things by myself, and if you're mad at me, I won't be able to muster my winning smile...you know, the one that you always make me use. Just by walking into a room."

Bridget's forehead ceased in thought before she recovered and took another step back, away from him. "Okay, I'll go. But only for an hour. I have a life you know, Aiken."

"Oh, I know," Clay grinned and held out his hand to her. "Come on, let's go. We'll take my car."

Bridget pulled her jacket on, "If I were that type of girl, you'd have just wooed me."

"What, with my car?"

"Yeeeeeeees."

Clay shrugged and pulled her from the building, out into the cold where he wrapped an arm around her shoulder in an attempt to show her how much he cared. She pulled away and ran to the car.

i've heard you talk about how you want someone just like me

Clay drove for four miles before he said anything; she had been looking out her window and randomly singing under her breath to the radio, which was on a station she liked and not one he would normally listen to. "Hey, Bridget?"

"Mmmm?"

"Emily called me last night."

Bridget turned to look at him, "Why?"

"She said you had lunch yesterday and told her you were really depressed lately. How come you didn't tell me?"

Bridget shrugged and turned away, "It's no big deal. I've been like this since I broke up with Robbie."

"I know," Clay mumbled, sighing. "She says you want someone like me. I was wondering what that meant."

"Someone who wouldn't hurt me."

"I would never hurt you."

She turned back towards him, a smile hinted on her chapped lips, "I know."

you don't ever notice how i stare when we're alone

Clay parked outside where the interview was to be held (some Chinese restaurant, which made Bridget laugh only because she hadn't realized lunch had been mentioned in this deal) and sat in the car, just waiting and looking at her.

"You're freaking me out, Aiken," Bridget stated, laughing. "Are we going in or not?"

"I could blow this off and we could go to some nice place, and then to the movies."

"That sounds scarily like a date."

Clay shrugged and ran a hand through his spiked hair. "I guess if you don't want to do that, then we should go in."

Bridget shrugged and jumped from the car; slowly, Clay followed suit. She watched him curiously, her head cocked to the side, "You're acting really weird."

"Sorry," he muttered, sticking his hands in his pockets. "Bridget?"

"Yeah?"

"Would you ever consider even going on a date with me?"

Her eyes widened, but when she spoke it didn't suggest she was surprised, "I suppose so. If there was pizza involved."

Clay laughed, the first laugh since she'd last seen him and she smiled warmly at him. "Deal." He took a step towards her and grabbed her hand before pulling her into him and pressing his lips to hers.

When he pulled away to grade her reaction he was pleased to see she was smiling. "Come on, Aiken, your interview awaits."

"It can wait," he replied, laughing and pulling her in for a hug.

i've made it obvious, so finally i'll say it

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