Two months later….

NICK

"I cannot believe that the tour is coming to end. It's been so amazing getting to ride along and experience all that I have."

"We have loved having you here, you know that. It's going to suck not seeing you as often once it's done though. It's been nice having my best friend around again."

"We don't have to lose contact again you know. That is up to us."

"I know, and we won't. I won't let it happen."

"NICK! SHOWTIME, LET'S MOVE!"

"He still doesn't know you're here does he," I asked her in reply to Donnie's yell. She shook her head no and I let out a sigh. "Stop avoiding him for all of your insane reasons please. He's driving us all crazy wanting to talk to you at least."

"Fine, I'll see him on their first break. Now go, they are waiting on you."

"Fine, but you better see him or I'll tell him you're here." Kissing her cheek I headed out to the stage.

OLIVIA

My hands were sweaty and I was not looking forward to Donnie's break, yet at the same time it couldn't come soon enough. It wasn't that I didn't like him, or have feelings for him, just the opposite in fact. I guess it was more that it just felt like something was missing and that something, whatever it was, seemed to feed my doubts.

When the Kids came off the stage Jon spotted me first and his face lit up in a smile. I held my finger to my lips and signaled him to be quiet before I ducked out of sight. I peeked around the wall that I had slipped behind to see Donnie and the guys changing shirts for their next set and my breath caught at the sight of him. He was indeed the most beautiful man I'd ever seen in my life and that was something I couldn't deny. Age looked good on him.

Just as he was buttoning the shirt I came up behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist. "Hey there handsome."

His fingers intertwined with mine and I knew he was wearing a smile. "Hey there yourself ma," he said. "When did you get here?"

As he turned to smile down at me, placing his kiss on my lips I said, "I've been here all afternoon. Just thought I'd lay low a bit."

"Nice, and it's nice to see you too. I've missed that pretty face."

We talked quietly until he had to go back on stage and I smiled as I watched the boyband super group from the wings. They all looked wonderful and this was going to be an excellent night no matter what happened.

By the time the show was over and everyone was ready to head to the hotel and relax Alex had already requested a talk with me. So when we finally made it back to the hotel he and I went out to the pool and sat with our feet dangling in the water.

"What's with you Olivia," he asked me. "I see you face and see so much happiness on it but at the same time it's like I'm not seeing something that should be there and I can't place it."

I sighed and leaned my head onto his shoulder. "Alex how is it after all this time you still get me so damn well? I mean you hit it right on the head of what I'm feeling and I didn't even have to say a word."

"I guess it may just be because I've been there. I've been in that place that you think you want to be and belong in and only find out that it isn't quite what you'd thought it would be when you get tossed in the middle of it all."

I wiped my hands on my thighs and acted like I was standing up. "Well since you already know what the issue is I guess this talk is done." We laughed as I lowered myself back down beside him. "These past few months have been like a dream Alex. I mean come on, me and Donnie? That doesn't happen! And it's been great really, but I just don't know… it just feels like there's something that should be there that isn't."

"I can understand that, I've been right in that spot before."

"I don't know, I guess maybe I just need to stop running from it and embrace whatever it is we have going on and maybe that will let it all fall into place like it should. Then again, I don't think it will. I love that man, have since I was eight. Only now I'm asking myself do I love him or do I love the thought of him."

"What do you mean the thought?"

I stared out into the dark night and wished for my gut and heart to feel anyway but how it felt right then. "Like, maybe I was in love with the celebrity that I saw, but the real Donnie is more of a friend."

"A friend with benefits of course," Alex smirked.

I punched him in the arm but had to laugh. "Amazing benefits actually, but yes, friends with benefits none the less. One thing I don't have any doubt of though is the fact that he is meant to be in my life. That much I'm positive about."

His arm went around my shoulders and he pulled me into him. "Liv, listen to me. You have a heart that any man would be blessed to have entrusted to him. You have it guarded for good reasons and it's understandable that you have doubts about anyone, especially someone in this line of work, with his history. Of course his history really is just that, and he's a great guy, but still I get it. If there is any niggling doubt do not, for any reason, give your heart away. Your gut won't steer you wrong, and your mind, it's pretty sharp to, so if you think something is missing you have two choices. Find it, or stop worrying about it."

I looked up at him and smiled. "When did you get so damn smart about matters of the heart mister?"

"When my heart got sick and damn tired of being used," he said.

I smiled and stood. "Thank you for talking to me. I've missed this with you. I'll see you in the morning before you head home."

I was maybe ten steps away when he called my name. I stopped and turned.

"Ask yourself this Olivia, can you see yourself marrying him? Can you see yourself with him for the rest of your life and see you happy with it? Answer that and you might just find your answer to the rest."

I nodded and headed to the room that I was supposed to be sharing with Donnie that night, and against my will my brain started turning Alex's question over and over, searching out the answers.