Disclaimer: I don't own Y&R or the characters. Am just playing around with them

Amanda sighed as she leaned back in her chair. She had spent most of her day with Devon, Elena and Nate trying to help Jared and also looking for him after he took off. They hadn't found him and she was still worried where he could be. She was glad though she had made progress with Devon finding a connection with their shared foster life. He was one of the good guys and it felt nice not to be on his bad side.
Now she just wanted to relax and unwind. A bubble bath and some wine will do.
She looked at Nate who was telling her about the hospital. Devon and Elena had just left leaving the 2 of them together. She didn't mind. He was good company.

"So will you keep working at the hospital or you will go and work for Devon?" asked Amanda.

"I'll stay at the hospital for the meantime. Elena can work at the clinic and I will pitch in when needed." said Nate with a smile looking at the beautiful woman before him. He loved spending time with her. She was smart, professional and beautiful…just how he liked his women.

Amanda nodded. "That sounds like a good plan."

"So you still thinking of getting some office space?" asked Nate glad that she was staying in Genoa City.

"Yes I do. Um, Devon gave me links to 3 buildings that could work so I will look at them over the weekend and I also need an apartment so I have a lot to do." It was time really that she got a place of her own and set up roots.

"Well I could help you choose if you want."

"That won't be necessary. I won't take up your time."

"I offered." Said Nate with a smile, his heart speeding at the smile he got back. She had a beautiful smile.

"Well that would be nice." Said Amanda then said, "Well I should get going. I am really tired and need some rest."

"Want to grab some dinner? I know a nice place."

"Um…" She wasn't sure but it didn't sound like a bad idea. It beat eating alone in her suite that's for sure.

"Come on. It won't take long." said Nate

Just as she was about to respond, her phone pinged signalling a message. Looking down at it, she smiled when she saw Billy's name and smiled even wider when she saw the one word message, 'coffee?'
Biting her lower lip, she typed out, 'Definitely. Same place?'
Billy replied almost immediately. 'Am waiting.'

Looking up, the smile still plastered on her face, she said standing up, "Um, I am sorry. That dinner will have to wait. I got to go."

"Oh. Ok. So I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Tomorrow. Bye." Said Amanda picking up her jacket and handbag before making her way out of the café oblivious to Nate's lingering gaze on her.

XXX

Billy was sitting on the table they (he and Amanda) had claimed their own. It was secluded, quiet enough to talk and private enough not to be intruded on. He sipped on his scotch as he waited eagerly for her arrival.
He remembered the first time he had seen her. This gorgeous creature just sitting there drinking a scotch and he was intrigued. Once he got to know her, he couldn't get enough. She was just the perfect combination of brains, beauty and sophistication. Never had he met a woman like her before. Even Victoria who he had once thought was the love of his life didn't get his attention like she did.
She was the highlight of his day. A glimpse of her made his day and the kiss they had shared…he couldn't get it out of his mind. He wanted to kiss her again. He wanted to feel those soft lips on his, those small hands on his face and the little sighs in his ears. He wanted her so bad but he knew not to push her. After all, she had already admitted she wanted him to. It was now a matter of waiting till she was ready and he could wait. For her he would be a patient man.

Walking into the dimmed bar, her eyes immediately zeroed in on him, sitting on 'their' table drinking some scotch. She walked over to him admiring him. He was an attractive man, tall, slim but fit and his smile and that dimple…it made him even more handsome and she often found herself thinking about it or doing something to make him smile.

Billy looked up from his scotch as if he had sensed her presence and watched as she came over admiring her. Her sense of style was always on point.

"Hi."

"Hi."

"I didn't know they served coffee in the evening." Teased Amanda taking a seat facing him.

"Well, you did say we should meet for coffee so…" said Billy with a smirk

Amanda laughed settling herself

Billy stared as she laughed. She looked so carefree and he wanted to hear that laugh over and over.

Amanda's breath caught at the way he was looking at her, his dark eyes focused on her. Good God… She couldn't help but look back at him, their eyes holding with no words being spoken.

The moment was broken when the waitress came to take her order.

"So how was your day?" asked Billy interested to know what she had done since the last time they met.

"Really full." said Amanda and she told him all about Jared and how they were trying to help him out and the about the new clinic Devon was opening.

"Wow…that is quite a day."

"I know. I am exhausted. Having to dredge up my past… It's not easy. Looks like my dark past is finding it's way to creep up on me."

Billy leaned over and took her hands in his. "Hey, I know it's not easy, but your past helped connect with a boy who would otherwise be feeling lost. You helped that kid and you should be proud of that."

Amanda smiled shyly. "Thanks."

"I mean it. Your past may have been really hard, but it made you into who you are today, a beautiful, amazing, smart professional woman and you can use that in your work to connect with your clients."

They stared at each other again before Amanda drew back her hands and coughed nervously looking at them now in her lap. She looked up at his smiling face and knew he saw how his touch and gaze affected her. Thank God he didn't mention it. "How was your day? I hope yours turned out better."

"Hardly. I found out the job I was being offered…it came with an unwanted extra package."

"What do you mean?"

"Apparently, I have to partner with Lily."

"Lily as in Devon's sister, Lily?" said Amanda surprised. "She is back?"

"Yup."

"Why? Isn't she supposed to be helping ex-cons or something?"

"Yes but apparently, she needed a 'challenge' so to speak and my dear mother decided the project is it."

"You don't want to work with her." It wasn't a question. It was a statement.

"I don't but I have no choice." He said then sighed when he saw the questioning look in her eyes. "Lily and I…we get along on a personal level as friends but as business partners it wouldn't work. We are different the way we approach issues and that is bound to cause friction between us. Besides, I wanted this project to be mine. My accomplishment."

"Just give it a try Billy. I mean if there is no way she is leaving then you have no choice but to make do. Maybe 2 opinions are better than one and you can reach a compromise."

"I hope so though I see a lot of fights ahead of me."

Amanda laughed at his sour look. "Well you just have to make sure you win then."

He smiled at that. "When have I ever lost?"

They shared a moment, his words clearly meaning, 'he was going to be with her eventually. "Have you seen Victoria?"

"Not since we last talked. I am not going to bother her. I will hear reports from Abby and others. She made it clear she doesn't want to speak to me or see me so…"

"What about the kids?"

"She still doesn't want me to go there and see them which is petty but I talk to them on the phone. I am planning a day with them. They are excited."

"That's good."

"Yeah. I miss them. Anyway, enough about that. Let's talk about something else."

"What do you have in mind?" she asked curiously.

"Well I don't know much about you so let's play a game."

"I am scared to ask what game." said Amanda with a raised eye brow and a weary look.

"A drinking game…"

"Billy…" she started already shaking her head.

"Come on, it's fun."

"Not if I get arrested for public intoxication! I still need to get to my suite."

"Which is just a block away and I will take you there." he pointed out. "Come on."

"This is a bad idea."

"Is that a yes?" he asked with that smile of his that made her melt complete with the dimple. How could she say no to that?

Amanda sighed with amused exasperation. "Ok fine. But if I get drunk, you are to blame." Why did she always agree to his crazy ideas? Shaking her head she said, "So what is this game?"

Billy just laughed. "Never have I ever…"

At that Amanda laughed. "How old are you?"

"Shut up and lets play." said Billy with a wink and they began to play

Turns out, just like his idea to scream at the rooftop, it worked really well in getting to know each other. They discovered quite a lot about each other amidst laughter and chatting.

XXX

Nate walked into the club looking to just unwind with a glass of bourbon. He had just had some dinner and wasn't ready to go to his lonely apartment yet.
Walking up to the bar, he gave his order and sat at the bar stools. He was just about to take out his phone when he heard her… It was definitely her laugh and he turned around following the sound till he spotted her, sitting in a booth with non-other that Billy. What? Didn't she say she was tired and wanted to go home and relax? She blew him off so she could hang out with Billy? She had said she and Billy were just friends but was there something going on between them after all?
He would find out. He wouldn't give up. Billy was a mess and he didn't deserve her. For now, he would leave them alone.

XXX

It was way later when Amanda and Billy eventually left the bar not noticing Dr Nate's eyes on them. Billy's arm was around her waist steadying her and she loved it. She wasn't drunk enough that she couldn't walk but his arm felt good and being pressed against his tall frame was just as good.

"So here I am." said Amanda when they got to the door of her suite.

"Yeah."

"I had a really great time."

"I told you. I have the best ideas."

"Down with the ego."

They shared a laugh.

"I had a great time too. You are easy to be with."

Amanda looked down shyly before peering at him their eyes meeting, their gazes holding. They stood there just staring at each other.

"So, um…I got to go."

"Yeah." said Amanda.

They still stood there, neither of them making a move. "Have a good night."

"You too."

Still they didn't move as if they were glued to the floor.

Before the nerves got to her, Amanda said, "Why don't you come in?"

Billy looked at her questioningly though inside he was jumping for joy.

"We could watch a movie. It's ok if you have to go…"

"A movie will be great." said Billy smiling. It was clear to him that she didn't want to part with him yet and that made him feel good.

First chapter done. Yey!