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"You have something to look forward to." John replied. "Yeah, but those few days will be agonizing." Nick sighed. "We're gonna be making music, mate. Those days will pass quickly." John said, trying to lift his friend's spirits.
Nick opened the door and entered his room. He glanced at his watch, finding that it was only 10:15am. "What am I gonna do?" he asked himself.
He glanced around the room and decided to bring his many suitcases closer to the door. That done, Nick decided he needed to get out for awhile.
He opened the door and looked down the hall. "Good." he thought. John and Simon were nowhere to be seen. He boarded the elevator and breathed a sigh of relief when the doors closed. Nick felt he needed to be alone for awhile. When the doors opened, he exited slowly, looking all around him until he made it outside. He instantly felt better once he was away from the hotel.
"Where the hell is Nick?" John asked as he took a seat at the table. "Haven't seen him." Simon replied.
"I've knocked on his door, I've called his room. I don't know what else to do." John said.
"Maybe he's sleeping." Simon offered.
"No way." John began "There's no possible way he could sleep through all the noise I made."
"Ummm....John.." Simon said.
"What Charley?" John said in an irritated tone. "I just saw Nick." Simon reported.
John and Simon left the table and stopped the doors on the elevator from closing. Nick was lost in his thoughts and was caught by surprise when his friends entered the elevator.
"Where have you been?" questioned John.
"I had to get out for awhile." Nick replied. "You could've told us that you were leaving." John countered as they left the elevator.
"I wanted to be alone, that's all." Nick quipped. "You ok?" John asked.
"I'm fine....Could you excuse me? Olivia will be here soon." "Sure, mate. Go ahead." John said.
Nick entered his room.
"3:00" he said as he sifted through the things he'd bought whilst he was out. A smile played on his lips while he waited for 3:30. He packed up a few final things and took the luggage to the door. As he sat the his carry-on bag on top of the suitcases, there was a knock on the door. He opened the door, finding John on the other side. John saw the disappointed look on his face.
"You alright, mate?" John asked.
"Yeah." Nick began "I was hoping it was Olivia." "Ah...Look Nick, I'm sorry I sort of snapped at you earlier." "It's fine." Nick replied.
"Nick!!" Simon yelled.
"Bloody hell, what now?" Nick groaned.
John shrugged his shoulders.
Simon walked toward Nick's room. Nick looked up and saw that Simon was leading Olivia to his door. A smile appeared on his face. "Nick!" Olivia said as she approached him.
He held his arms out to her. She let her briefcase drop as she entered his embrace.
"I'm so glad to see you." he whispered.
"Me too." she replied.
He kissed her gently.
"Thank you for escorting me up, Simon." she said. "Yes, thank you for bringing her up." Nick purred. "Not a problem." Simon replied as he and John walked down the hall, leaving them alone. Nick picked up her briefcase and they entered his room. "Do you know how much I've missed you?" he asked. "Tell me." she said teasingly.
He took her in his arms and kissed her, letting her know he was glad to see her. Nick held her close when their kiss ended. "Mmmm...I missed you too." she purred in his ear.
He led her to the sofa so they could relax. "How was your day?" he asked.
"It was actually pretty good." she replied. "I'm glad." he said with a smile.
"What did you do today?" she asked.
"Ummmm...finished packing, that's about it." he replied. "I need to start packing soon." she said with a smile.
A big smile came to his face.
"You got it?" he asked.
"Yep." she giggled.
"So, it's a sure thing now?" he asked.
"Uh-huh. I'm officially coming to London!" she squealed. He pulled her into a hug.
"So, when do you officially leave?" he asked. "Ummm..Friday morning-early." she replied.
He gave her a sweet, gentle kiss. When he pulled away, he stared into her hazel eyes.
"What would you like to do tonight, Olivia? This evening is all yours and we'll do anything you want."
"Anything?" she asked.
"Anything. Just name it." he replied.
"Could we have a quiet dinner here? Just us and some room service?" she asked.
"Anything you want, luv. I'll call and make the arrangements." he said, picking up the phone.
"Good." she began "I just want a quiet evening with you before you leave." "What time do you want to eat?" he asked.
"Umm...6:30 would be fine." she replied. He finished up on the phone and turned to Olivia.
"What shall we do till 6:30?" he asked.
"Well, we could go to my house. I need to take my briefcase home and I'd love to change clothes." she said.
"Alright. Shall we go?" he replied.
Nick and Olivia made it outside and didn't see John or Simon on the way. He hailed a cab for them. They rode to her house discussing London. The cab stopped and they entered her house. She dropped her briefcase by the stairs.
"Make yourself at home. I'm going to change clothes and I'll be right back." she said.
Nick leaned back against the sofa. He wasn't happy about leaving tonight. But, he was happy she would be there shortly after. "Hey you!" she said as she slid her arms around his shoulders."I'm back."
Nick was so deep in his thoughts that he hadn't heard her come back down. "Did I scare you?" she asked.
"Nah, I'm fine. Just thinking." he replied. "Hmmm..thinking about what?" she asked.
"You." he replied.
"Oh really?" she asked.
"Um-humm.." he purred.
"And what do you think about me?" she questioned. "I think you're beautiful." he said, drinking in her beauty. "Nick." she said shyly, as a blush filled her cheeks.
He kissed her forehead.
"We should go." he said, glancing at his watch. "We need to be back by 6:30." he reminded her.
"I'm ready." she said.
Nick hailed a cab. He held her in his arms during the ride.
They reached the hotel and entered the elevator. The doors opened and they walked down the hall to Nick's room. He opened the door and he and Olivia entered.
"Oh my God, Nick!" she exclaimed as she surveyed the dark room, aglow with warm candlelight.
"Do you approve?" he asked.
"This is wonderful." she squealed.
"I'm glad you like it." he said, as he led her to the table. "Oh, Nick. I love it."
They took their seats and he poured some wine for them. "A toast." he said.
"To what?" she asked.
"To London." he replied.
"To London." she said.
Nick and Olivia discussed her travel arrangements and discussed where he would meet her when she got there.
"I can't wait to get there." she said.
"I can't wait either." he said, taking her hand. "Thank you so much for dinner. It's been a special evening." she said. "It's not over yet, luv." he replied with a smile. "What are you all smiles about?" she questioned. "Just you." he replied.
"Nick." she said, blushing again.
"How about some music?" he asked.
"Ok." she replied.
He stood up and walked to the stereo and found some slow, soothing music.
"What's this?" she called.
"What?" he asked as he approached the table. "This." she said, holding up a box.
"Open it." he urged.
Olivia opened the box and found a beautiful watch with dual time zones. "What..." she started to say.
"It's set for American and London time, so you'll always know what time it is in either country." he said with a smile.
"I love it, it's beautiful." she said as he put it on her wrist. "I'm glad you like it." he said.
"I love it." she said as tears came to her eyes. "Will you dance with me, Olivia?" he asked. "Of course." she replied.
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