The next couple of days, Carlos was back at work rehearsing and working on the new album with the guys. He was productive, but the one thing he couldn't shake from his mind was Miriam kissing him on the cheek. Yes, it was an innocent kiss, but it came from the very girl who often claimed to hate his guts. It was so random and unlike her that he was left speechless and confused. Part of him just shrugged it off as one of those spontaneous drunken moments, but he kept thinking about it.

Miriam was spending yet another day with her cousin Ashley. She was once again sitting in the passenger side teaching Ashley how to drive. Sometimes she wondered why her aunt and uncle would always call on her to be Ashley's personal driving instructor. Miriam debated whether she should tell her cousin with her involvement with Carlos Garcia of Big Time Rush. After the lesson, Miriam drove to the supermarket to get groceries and Ashley tagged along. Afterward, they were in Miriam's apartment.

"I so can't wait until I pass my driving test. Daddy's gonna buy me the newest car out."

"That's great! So, that band you went to see, what was their name?"

"Big Time Rush. Why? I thought you hated them."

"I was going to wait until you passed your driver's test, but I got this for you." Miriam debated whether she should give her spoiled cousin the signed T-shirt. Ashley scrunched her face up thinking Miriam got her some knockoff T-shirt of some obscure band. Her mouth flew open at seeing James' signature on his face with the rest of Big Time Rush.

"OMG! This is James Diamond's signature! How did you get this? I am so gonna die right now." Miriam winced as Ashley let out a scream. "Wait, this isn't some other person's shirt...if it is, you can have it."

"It's a shirt that James got out for you and signed it. If you're gonna act like a spoiled brat about it, you can just give me the damn shirt back!"

"Okay, sorry I even asked. But...how did you know James got the shirt to sign." Ashley saw Miriam shift. "What are you not telling me? You met them, didn't you. See, I knew you would like Big Time Rush."

"It's not like that. I can't believe I'm saying this. That day when you went to see them at that signing thing, a friend of mine who worked at the bookstore let me use their designated smoking area. I was minding my own business when some guy came over complaining about me smoking."

"You really shouldn't."

"As I was saying, a guy came over...I didn't know who he was until I got a good look at him...it was Carlos, though I didn't know his name at the time. He thought I was a damn fan. He tried to talk to me and I brushed him off. I thought he was one of those celebrities trying to get into some assumed fan's pants. Do not give that look!"

"You...of all people to meet at least one member of Big Time Rush...it had to be you. You don't even like them! Was that it? Did you have James sign the shirt that day and you're just now giving it to me?"

"Look, I really don't give a shit if you believe me or not. I'm trying to get to the damn shirt if you would stop interrupting me!" Miriam's patience was wearing thin. She wanted to abandon telling her cousin of how her and Carlos met.

"Okay."

"I mean, we just talked about stupid stuff. I really wasn't all that into the conversation. I know, I know. Any fan would want to talk to him and I would get the 'what's wrong with you' glare of death, but I really don't care. When you called, I left. I did not know until later at work that a spare napkin from Gin Alley fell from my pocket. I was cool until I saw him at my job. I thought he was a crazy stalker. I'll spare the details, but we've been hanging out since. Well, when he's not busy doing whatever the hell he's doing with his band. I didn't tell you because I didn't want to seem like some opportunist, especially since I'm not that crazy about their music."

"You met Big Time Rush...I can't believe my cousin met Big Time Rush! OMG I have to tell Michelle!"

"No! Nobody can know that I met them! I'm really a private person and it would be exploiting them."

"Since when did you care about Big Time Rush?"

"I don't. I just don't want any teen fans sending me hate-mail and death-threats telling me to 'go die in a hole' and some other bullshit."

"Fine...I won't tell anyone...you really suck the fun out of gloating to other bitches."

Miriam prayed that her cousin would keep her mouth shut. She really didn't want to be internet and tabloid fodder. She just wanted to be a normal person that's not mixed up with an international celebrity. She drove her cousin home threatening to beat her to one inch of her life if she ever told. It was bad that she had to threaten her own cousin, but she needed to make sure no one knew. It was ironic though. She had agreed to see Carlos that night after her early shift at Gin Alley.

Carlos told the guys about the kiss which made Carlos the butt of every joke they could think of. Logan warned him to be careful. He trusted Miriam, but he warned Carlos that they were not going to be in Chicago long and would have to leave soon. Carlos wanted to forget about that kiss, but he just couldn't forget. It had to mean something. She wouldn't just kiss his cheek for nothing? Would she? Carlos just shook his head and decided to meet Miriam at her apartment. Being in the spotlight under constant watch made it harder for Carlos to see Miriam unless he was in disguise.

"What the hell are you wearing?"

"It's a disguise so the paparazzi wouldn't follow me here."

"I see, so you decided to allude the paparazzi and attract the police? You look like a gang member. Carlos Garcia part of the Latin Kings, now?" Miriam couldn't help but laugh.

"Are you finished, or are you gonna let me in?"

"Come in, ese! You want a beer? Or, will you be drinking 40s now?" Miriam walked to her kitchen to get the beers from the fridge. Carlos knew he was going to miss her sarcasm and wit whenever they left for LA.

"Ha-ha..." he sat on her loveseat taking off his disguise. "Why are you so dressed up? I thought you just got off work?"

"I did. Once a month the employees dress out of the uniform...just to shake things up a bit." Carlos was referring to Miriam's attire of a yellow dress, a black and white polka-dot scarf, and yellow silk lilies in her Afro.

"Cool. So, did your cousin like the T-shirt James signed for her?"

"She thought it was a fake. I almost didn't give it to her. I...kinda told her about meeting you."

"Meeting me? I remember it wasn't a meeting when we met...more like you cursing me out."

"Well, I couldn't tell her that I cursed you out or she would definitely hate me. I'm a little worried though. I think I made a mistake telling her. I mean, what if she tells her friends and they come knocking at my damn door asking for you or your friends?"

"I didn't think of that. I'm pretty sure it's okay."

"You don't know my cousin. She was gonna rub it in some girl's face. I had to threaten her life so she wouldn't tell anyone. I still don't think it's effective."

"Would it be a bad thing if she did? We are just two people that hang with each other. There's no harm in that."

"What are we doing, Carlos? Where is this going? You said you have to leave soon. Who are we fooling? It feels kind of like camp. We promise each other we will still contact each other...then, one or both of us loses touch. It was nice, but we have to face reality. You're a famous rockstar that's leaving. You're trying to make it more than what it is."

"Why do you have to over-analyze everything. Do you ever just live in the moment? And stop referring to me as a rockstar. I'm just me...Carlos Garcia from Minnesota."

"The average person doesn't have to wear a disguise to hide from the paparazzi."

"Yes they do! Average people can go into witness protection!" there was a long pause before the two of them burst out laughing. "That was pretty stupid, huh?"

"Kinda." Miriam leaned back against the loveseat. "Ugh, my feet are killing me! Never wearing those damn shoes again!"

"Need a foot massage? And before you say anything, I'm just doing it to be nice." he hoped Miriam didn't try to punch him. It was a risk asking to do such a personal thing, but he had to take it.

"How about I kick you in the jaw?" Miriam saw his face turn into fear. "You really are an annoying gentleman from Minnesota, aren't you? I will allow you to do this one time. I swear if you tell anybody about this I will hunt you down!"

"Damn, you really don't mess around with the threats."

Miriam playfully rolled her eyes and reluctantly placed her aching feet in Carlos' lap. He started working on her feet blushing when he heard her sigh in relief. It made his mind go into overdrive as he thought about her. Miriam could deny it all she wanted, but Carlos knew she had some sort of feelings towards him. He heard a noise and turned to see she had the radio on. How come he didn't notice it before? It was a jazz station, which he wasn't surprised given Miriam's taste in music.

Carlos decided to start a conversation with Miriam before it got awkward...though, it was past awkward. He was touching the very woman that intrigued him since his stay in Chicago. He hated to admit that Miriam was right, but she was. Did he find her fascinating because he would only get to know her during Big Time Rush's brief stay in Chicago? He tried to listen to her talk about some of the horrible customers she's had over the years of working at Gin Alley. His mind always went to her.

Once Miriam told him she felt better, she sat upright on the loveseat. He desperately wanted to kiss her full lips, feel more of her soft coco-brown skin, touch her wild, puffy hair. He guessed her Afro felt soft like a cotton ball. Miriam had stopped talking as she saw Carlos had moved considerably close to her. Not that the loveseat left them much room for space. She was about to say something when she felt Carlos' lips crash onto hers.