Belle, Brady and Chloe had decided to have a quiet night at the penthouse. Chloe was supposed to be spending the night. They decided to rent movies and overindulge in junk food. It was getting late when Belle announced that she was going to bed. Chloe was supposed to be sharing a room with her. However, Chloe was not yet tired. Belle said she would try to stay up a little longer, but was yawning loudly. It was obvious she was too tired to stay awake. Chloe told her it was okay if she went to sleep and that she would be fine with Brady until she got tired. That was fine with Belle, as long as she was quiet when she came to bed. Belle hated being woken up in the middle of the night.


Belle gave Brady a hug goodnight and proceeded up the stairs to her bedroom. Chloe was lying on the ground watching the television while Brady sat on the couch. Chloe moved from her place and snuggled next to Brady. Brady allowed her to share the blanket that he had around him.


Although Brady and Chloe had gotten so close they still were not a couple. Brady was sceptical of starting a relationship with Chloe because of what happened last time. He still loved her but he was afraid she would reject him once again. He did not want to have his heart broken a second time by the same girl. But who could blame him? Brady wanted to give Chloe more time to sort out her feelings. He wanted to make sure there were no more barriers that would hinder their blossoming romance.


Chloe wanted nothing more but to be with Brady but she thought that he had given up on her. That he did not love her they way he had confessed when they were out in the rain. The last thing she wanted to do was ruin their friendship. She had grown to depend on him and never wanted to take him for granted again.
Chloe began to drift off. Brady nudged her.
"Maybe you should go to bed" Brady whispered sweetly.
"No I'm fine here"
"Chloe you're falling asleep"
"No I wasn't, I was just resting my eyes"
"Oh yeah, that's it"
Brady looked at Chloe and they both started laughing. "Chloe if you're tired you should go to sleep"
"But I was having a good time down here with you, if you want me to go... fine"
Chloe got up and threw the blanket on the ground and moved toward the staircase. She was half kidding and half serious. Every time her and Brady started to get close he always began to pull away.
"Hold on. Don't get all mad" Brady said holding onto her arm loosely. "It's just late and I was going to go to bed anyway. Come here"
Brady pulled Chloe towards him and wrapped her in his arms. Chloe held onto him not wanting to let go.
"Goodnight" he said, his voice barely audiable. He reluctantly pulled back and placed what was supposed to be an innocent platonic kiss on her cheek.
Chloe looked into his eyes and leaned forward. Their lips were almost touching.
"Chloe, what are you doing? We're friends remember?"
"Brady that's not good enough anymore, I want more of you. I want you to kiss me good night and not be able to stop there" Chloe confessed with hurt in her eyes.
"Chloe, I want more too but it's too soon"
"Brady I promise I won't hurt you this time."
Brady adverted his eyes away from hers.
"Chloe...."
"Trust in me" Chloe offered.
"I did that once and look how that turned out. It's just not the right time. I'm going to go to sleep, I'll see you in the morning" Brady said breaking away from Chloe.
"Brady you're not being fair."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that you're not the only one that is taking a risk here. My feelings are on the line too."
"I don't even know how you feel" Brady said searching her eyes.
"Brady you do!" Chloe said hurt.
"Chloe, I honestly don't know where I stand with you. How do I know you're not going to run back to Philip the minute things get a little scary?" Brady said seriously.
"Brady I...I..." Chloe tried. She just could not say it.
Brady listened intently. Was she about to tell him that she loved him?
"Go on" Brady said coming closer to her.
"I..."
Chloe could not say it. As much as she felt it, she could not tell him she loved him. Once it was out there, she could never take it back. There was little risk of being hurt if she did not put herself out there.
Brady stepped back.
"Goodnight Chloe" he managed to get out as he turned around and walked to his bedroom.
"Goodnight, I love you" Chloe whispered, as she stood in the living room alone, for no one to hear but her.
Brady was so scared he could not risk losing her again but he did not think that she was ready for a relationship yet. She did not even love him. Brady cursed himself for being such a fool.
Chloe was crushed. She knew now how much she had really screwed up and wondered if Brady would ever be able to trust her again.