Brady rolled over. The harsh sun light streamed into his eyes. Making their blue texture seem illuminated. Half of his blankets were on the floor. The other half was tangled around his body. Brady had tossed and turned all night. Her words being all that he could concentrate on. 'Trust in me' she had said. He had been down that road once before and it had only lead to heartache. Still, it was Chloe. She was the one person he knew he could give himself to. She was his confidant and he was hers. But she could not even tell him that she loved him? What did that mean? Brady was so confused.

The transition from friend to lover would be a difficult one. Last time they had rushed into things before building a solid relationship. Sure they had been friends but all it took was one night late one weekend for Brady to realize how much he loved her, and he had gotten burned for it.

Brady sat up rubbing his eyes. He remembered what her lips felt like on his. How all it took was one touch from her for him to lose total control. Last night they had almost kissed. This morning he would have to deal with the consequences.

Brady went into the bathroom to brush his teeth. Only in his boxers he began to walk out of his room when he saw her.

Brady wondered if he would be receiving icy stares or would she even look at him at all?

Granted he was the one holding back the relationship but he was just not sure if the time was right. He knew how he felt and hated not knowing what she was feeling.

Chloe woke up early that morning. She could not force herself to go back to sleep so she just accepted it. She got dressed and headed out onto the balcony. It was cold outside. The air was crisp and refreshing. Chloe crossed her arms and leaned against the railing.

Why had she thought that Brady would still be interested in her? It is not like she treated him that well, he was bound to move on, thought Chloe. She could not help but be impatient. Brady said that he needed time to figure things out but maybe what he came up with was that he was not in love with Chloe. Chloe's eyes began to water at just the thought of Brady always only being her friend. She wanted to express to him how she felt for him. Chloe wanted to kiss Brady and be held by him. She wanted to share everything with Brady. Most importantly she wanted to tell him that she loved him.

That is it she thought, she would not give up on Brady. She would make him see that she loved him and she would never hurt him again. She needed him and knew that he needed her too.

Brady watched her from the stair case. She was obviously deep in thought. He decided not to bother her and went back into his room to get dressed.

The doorbell rang. Chloe thought she was the only one up so she went to answer the door.

Brady walked out of his room putting on his shirt when he heard the door bell ring. He saw Chloe move swiftly from the balcony to the door.

Chloe opened the door. Her jaw almost dropped.

"Hi. Chloe right?"

Chloe just blankly stared at the vision before her.

"Um, I'm here to see Brady. Is he home?"

Brady made his way down the stairs.

"Cheryl, come in. Chloe, you remember Cheryl, don't you?"

Chloe turned to look at him. The tears began to form in her eyes.

"I have to go" Chloe went out the door without looking back.

She could not be bothered to wait for the elevator. Chloe ran down the many stairs to the lobby. She leaned on a mirrored panel trying to catch her breath. How could she be so stupid? All along she had thought that Brady was being cautious. She had never really thought of the prospect that he was already dating someone.

"What was that all about?'" Cheryl said confused.

"I dunno...oh she must think that me and you...I have to go after her"

"What about the assignment?"

"Can't we do it later?" Brady said almost panicked.

"Brady! We've been putting it off for weeks. I switched shifts at work to do this today" Cheryl confessed.

"You're right. Okay let's start this thing. The sooner we get it done, the sooner I can find her and explain things." Brady said concerned.

"Brady I hate to tell you but, this is a huge assignment it is going to take all day and even then I don't know if we'll get it done"

"Actually, I went ahead and did the research already. That should save some time right?"

"Brady this is supposed to be a joint project. Why do you always do that?"

"What?"

"Gee, you just start the assignment without me" Cheryl said annoyed.

"I'm sorry. My last partner didn't mind. It's just that sometimes I can't sleep. I've had a lot on my mind and doing school stuff helps take my mind off other things"

"Don't you mean other people" She laughed.

Brady smiled. Cheryl knew all about Brady and Chloe's failed romance. Brady had confessed to her on their second date that he was not being fair to her and that he was in love with someone else. Cheryl understood and they remained friends and partners in the class they had together.

"Brady, I hate to tell you this but if you wait too long to tell her how you feel she's going to think that you're not interested or that you're seeing someone else. Hence, the run out just now" Cheryl said with a chuckle.

"I know. I just..."

"Brady is it worth the risk? I know she hurt you before but, could you really stand being without her? All I ever hear is Chloe this and Chloe that. Chloe is so great and....."

"Okay I get your point. Let's hurry and get this thing finished."

To be continued.....