A/N: Hi everyone! I know that it has been so, so, long since a chapter has been posted, and I'm SO sorry! I hope that you're still enjoying this story though! Here's chapter eleven! Enjoy!

Chapter 11

Mike felt his heart stopped. Did the woman he loved for so many years just ask him out on a date? He couldn't believe that this was actually happening. Does this mean that Eve had feelings for him too? His head was spinning slightly. Had he known that she had feelings for him as well, he would've asked her out quite some time ago. But because of their friends wit benefits deal, the blue-eyed Cleveland native had no idea what to do.

Eve was taken aback by the silence that was quick to fill the room. Maybe asking Mike out on a date was a bad idea after all, but she couldn't take it back now. It was already out there. "I'm sorr-"

Mike shook his head. "No, don't be." Mike finally said. "I'm sorry I didn't respond faster. I've just….I've been waiting for this day for years to be honest."

"Years?" Ever asked, echoing her best friends words. "Why didn't you say anything?"

Mike shrugged. "Why would I? You were with Ted for the last two and a half years. You were happy with him. Who am I to take that away from you?"

Eve was quiet for a moment. This was a lot to take in. "So…you put your own happiness to the side? Because you knew that I was happy with Ted back then?" She asked him. "I mean….if you were in love with me…then clearly you weren't happy that I was dating Ted." She then stopped talking as a thought had come to her quickly. It was as if the light bulb had gone off. "That's why you were so angry when you found out about my date with Randy….because you much rather it would've been you instead…" She trailed off as all the pieces slowly came together. Now it all made sense to the Denver native.

"Exactly," Mike softly whispered.

"Mike….I, I'm so sorry….had I known, I would've never…"

Mike shook his head again. "Don't worry about it Eve. None of that matters now. What matters is now, and the fact that we have a date tomorrow." He smiled brightly. "I'm so excited. We can go early in the morning. I already have everything planned."

Eve giggled as she placed her head back in his bare chest. "You really have been waiting for this day, huh?"

"Of course I have. You're a beautiful woman, Eve Torres. I consider myself lucky to be asked out by you."

Eve giggled again. "Goodnight Mikey."

"Goodnight, beautiful."

Mike woke up the next morning. Truth be told he could hardly sleep. He was so excited to finally go on a real date with Eve, and it felt great to finally have his feelings out in the open. Keeping them to himself for so long was hard. But the Ohio native no longer had to worry about that, and it was a weight lifted off of his shoulders.

He decided that he would spend the day with Eve. The first thing he was going to do was take her to the park. He had a picnic basket packed and ready to go. He had changed his outfit a total of four times thus far, and still wasn't sure if he was wearing the best one.

The usual confident Mike Mizanin was rather not so sure of himself for the first time in a long time. However, as he looked at himself in the mirror, he was sure that the outfit he had on currently was the right one.

He had on a pair of dark blue jeans that were slowly starting to get the faded look to them. But he didn't mind that. He then put on a white button down shirt before putting some gel in his hair. He didn't want to overdress, but he didn't want to look too casual either. He also made sure to get a haircut this morning. He knew that Eve liked it best when his hair was shorter with the spiked look to it.

Now all he had to do was wait for Eve to wake up. He didn't have to wait much longer for her to wake up however, because she woke up within the next ten minutes. He smiled warmly at her as she looked at him sleepily, rubbing her green eyes with her hand. "Good morning," she smiled. "I see you got a haircut."

Mike smiled back. "Good morning and yes I did. I'm ready to go whenever you are."

Eve couldn't help but to giggle. "I can see that," she said, giggling again. "How long have you been awake?"

"A few hours," Mike answered.

"I'll be ready soon!" Eve said, hopping out the bed. She was just excited for this date as Mike was.

Forty minutes later Eve came out in a cute white sundress that stopped just above her knees. Her hair was curled, and she had on white flip-flops. Mike thought that she looked absolutely beautiful. "Wow…" He breathed, unable to think of anything else to say. "You look so beautiful Eve. Even in something as simple as a sundress."

Eve blushed, tucking some hair behind her ear. "Ready?"

Mike nodded. "I've been ready."

Once they had arrived at the park, Mike found a spot under a large tree right by the pond. He spread out the blanket before sitting down on it, and Eve sat beside him. There were ducks close by. He was glad that he brought some bread so Eve could feed them before they left.

"So what's for lunch?" Eve asked. It was almost noon now. She didn't mean to sleep as long as she had, but she found herself rather exhausted lately.

"I packed some cheese and crackers, sandwiches, chocolate covered strawberries and wine." Mike smiled as he pulled all of the items out of the basket, and set them down between the two of them. He then poured Eve a half of glass of wine before pouring himself some as well. "Cheers to a long awaited first date?" Mike questioned, holding his glass in the air.

Eve smiled warmly as she tapped her glass gently against Mike's. "Cheers."

The two best friends talked about anything and everything. But this time it was different. The feelings and connection between the two of them were different this time because they knew that after today everything would be different.

"So what does this mean for the two of exactly?" Eve asked, finishing the last chocolate covered strawberry. "I mean obviously we're in a storyline together. Heck, we're the power couple. But I'm talking about outside of that."

"Well, what do you want?" The blue-eyed Superstar asked his best friend. He already had his answer, but he wanted to see what she was going to say first.

"I'm not sure," she answered honestly. "All of this is so new, and kind of scary. I don't want to mess up our friendship. Because you are my best friend, and that can't change."

"I still will be your best friend, Eve. You should know that better than anyone. The only thing that's going to change is I'm going hold your hand in public. And kiss you of course." He winked.

Eve couldn't help but giggle as she blushed. "It sounds nice," Eve admitted. "Let's give it a try."

Mike's eyes lit up with excitement. "You mean it, we can try dating?"

Eve nodded. "Yes. I mean it," she smiled. "Where to next, Romeo?"

Mike chuckled. "Well before we leave, I did pack some extra bread just in case you wanted to feed the ducks."

"Of course I want to feed them!" Eve grinned as Mike handed her the extra slice of bread he had packed. He leaned up against the large tree that they sat under as he watched Eve feed the ducks. Eve looked so happy, and it made him feel all warm and fuzzy inside. He was glad to see her happy. He loved the sound of her laugh.

Once Eve was done feeding the ducks, she turned around to find Mike smiling at her. His blue eyes were soft as he looked at her, and as she made her way over to where he stood, her heart began to race. His eyes were a beautiful shade of blue, and he had a smile that could melt your heart if you looked at him for too long.

"Come here," Mike mumbled, gently pulling Eve close to his body. He ran his hand through her curly brunette hair, and then he switched places with her so she was now the one leaning against the tree. All he wanted to do was to kiss her.

But he didn't. Instead he just tucked some hair behind her ear. "Did you have fun?"

Eve nodded as she tried her best to hide her disappointment. She was hoping that he was going to kiss her, and the Denver beauty couldn't understand why he didn't. "I had a great time. Thank you."

Mike smiled as he then pulled away, letting go of her wrist before going to put everything back into the basket. The two then made their way to his truck. They went mini golfing, which was fun for both of them. Even though Eve had lost the game, she still had a lot of fun.

As a perfect way to end their day, Mike took Eve to the beach so they were able to sit and watch the sunset together. Eve sat down in the sand as Mike sat down beside her. Neither of them had shoes on at this point, and both Mike and Eve changed into swimwear just in case either of them wanted to go swimming.

"I could do this all of time," Eve softly admitted. "I love the beach."

"It's your happy place," Mike smiled as he glanced at her.

Eve smiled back as she placed her head on his shoulder. "My happy place is anywhere you are." She mumbled.

Mike couldn't help but to smile again. He had been smiling ever since he woke up though. "That's my happy place too." He said. "With you."

The two friends watched the sun sink into the sky, and Mike watched as Eve looked off into the distance. He could tell that his best friend had something on her mind. Maybe she was thinking about kissing him. Because that's what he wanted to do, was to kiss her. Even though he was able to fight the urge to kiss her earlier, he couldn't fight it again. Besides, he didn't really have a reason to fight it anymore. Eve Torres was now his girlfriend. And just like that, the smile was back on his face.

Eve caught him smiling out of the corner of her eye. "What are you smiling about?" She questioned.

Mike didn't say anything. Instead, he gently placed his fingers under her chin, and then there lips met.

He may have had to wait years to kiss the love of his life without a storyline attached to it, but it was well worth it.

A/N: FINALLY. A CHAPTER IS FINISHED. I'm SO sorry it took this long to get it up; I've had a lot of stuff going on lately. I promise to try and get chapter twelve posted much, much sooner this time around. Even though it was slightly short, and a long wait, I still hope you enjoyed the chapter! – Melly.