Disclaimer: I disclaim.

AN: Been a long time since I updated. What can I say? Life gets in the way. Anyway, here's chapter 5, thanks to all of you who've stuck with the story this long. Enjoy!

Ugh. It's Meems here. You know that awkward silence in an uncomfortable situation? No one knows what to say and everyone just kind of stares at one another, eyes shifting around waiting for somebody to make the first move? That's what the next day at work was like for me. The whole day was just one awkward silence. Every time I saw Brady my mind drifted back to his lips pressed lightly against my cheek, his fingers dancing upon my leg, his breath floating across my neck and…okay, you get the picture. Let me tell you, it made for a very interesting work experience.

Mimi busied herself reviewing client's files and her sketches, not even daring to look up when she heard her office door swing open. She had been hiding in there since she arrived at work. Although she was having trouble deciding on whether she wanted Brady to find her or not. Looked like she no longer had a choice in the matter.

"Uh, Lockhart," Brady cleared his throat, his hand still resting on the doorknob as if he was about to flee at any moment.

"Yes?" She questioned, wincing as her eyes locked with his. He broke the stare as quick as Mimi had began it.

"I, um…I need," Brady stopped mid-sentence and took a second glance at the folder he held in his fingers. His other hand now dropped from the knob as he tentatively sat in the chair positioned in front of her desk. He struggled to read the name, neatly labelled across the top of the papers. Why was he having so much trouble with this? Just say it, he mentally kicked himself.

"I need," he began once more. "We need to talk," Brady sighed in defeat.

"Oh, Brady. I'm so glad that you said that first," Mimi said in rush. "Because you know, I didn't want to be the first one to say anything. Well, if there was anything to say. Is there? Of course there is if you said that we should talk. And here I am doing all the talking, but I think I need to get this off my chest too. I just didn't want to make a big deal out of nothing. Not that last night was nothing. Or something for that matter—"

"Mimi," Brady groaned, rubbing his temples.

"I was rambling, wasn't I?" Mimi asked, her face flushed with embarrassment as Brady confirmed her question with a nod.

"Last night was something Meems…" Brady slowly said.

"Yeah, but what?" Mimi muttered.

"Exactly," Brady laughed lightly at her comment.

"We've known each other a long time Brady," she told him. "We're friends."

"That's my point. Well, it would have been if I'd been able to get a word in edgewise," he kidded. "I don't want to ruin anything between us Mimi."

"Not that there is anything between us, because that would ruin the friendship," Mimi replied quickly. "And that's what we want. No ruining."

"Right," Brady responded. "Okay, then…"

"Did you want something when you came in here Brady?" Mimi asked. "I mean, besides, well…something else?"

"Oh, yeah. I needed that progress report you were working on, but it was more of an excuse," he admitted.

"Ask and ye shall receive," Mimi handed him the report, both trying to ignore the electricity when her fingertips gently brushed over his.

"Thanks," Brady smiled, her touch still lingering on his skin.

"Y-your welcome," Mimi stammered.

"I'm glad we got everything sorted out," Brady said, even though they were in just as big of a mess as before.

"Me too," Mimi answered.

"I guess I'll be leaving then," he stated.

"Yeah…"

"Okay…" he made no attempt to turn.

Instead he grabbed Mimi's hand from behind her desk and pulled her body close to his. She gasped slightly at his sudden gesture, but soon relaxed against him. Within moments, Brady's lips crashed down upon hers in an explosive, heated, passionate kiss. Mimi willingly kissed him back, just as furiously.

"This won't ruin the friendship though," Brady remarked as he came up for air.

"Oh no," Mimi hastily agreed. "Of course not."

"Good," he responded, a wicked grin forming as he eagerly kissed her again with just as much hunger.

"We can't tell Belle," he once again pulled away from the liplock.

"Give her the satisfaction of knowing she succeeded? And after only one date at that. As if, " Mimi scoffed then added, "Plus she's much too busy with that fiancé of hers."

"Right," Brady nodded, placing a kiss upon the column of Mimi's neck, tenderly brushing back her hair. He stopped abruptly, "Excuse me?"

"What?" Mimi questioned.

"Fiancé?" Brady sputtered.

"Oh God, Meems the blabbermouth!" Mimi screeched. "You mean she didn't tell you?"

"No!" Brady exploded. "You'd think that my sister would say something if she were—"

"If she were what?" Belle asked, casually leaning against the doorframe. Had the door really been open all this time? Anybody could have walked by and seen just what Miss Lockhart and her boss had been up to. "If she were what?" Belle repeated.

"Engaged," Brady supplied.

"Meems!" Belle squealed at her best friend with an angry glare. In frustration, she rubbed her palm against her forehead.

"Like he wouldn't have been able to tell from that rock!" Mimi exclaimed, taking Belle's hand and examining her ring finger. "That thing is huge!"

"Mimi!" Belle admonished.

"Well, it is," she protested, holding Belle's hand closer for further inspection before thrusting it in Brady's direction.

"It's Shawn right?" Brady laughed as he too examined the new piece of jewellery that decorated his sister's finger.

"Yes," Belle pulled her hand back. "Of course it's Shawn."

"I suppose congratulations are in order then," Brady smiled and wrapped his arms around Belle.

"Thanks Brady," Belle returned the grin, she couldn't help it. Brady's smiles always were contagious.

"You could have told me yesterday on the phone, you know," he said lightly.

"Well, we were supposed to announce it later tonight at dinner, but—" she looked a Mimi with a fake pout, "somebody went and spoiled the surprise."

"How was I supposed to know? You told me last night," Mimi defended herself.

"That's because I tell you everything," Belle giggled. "Anyway, it doesn't matter. Shawn and I are having everyone over to the apartment tonight. Which is what I came in here to tell you Meems."

"We'll be there," Brady answered all to quickly.

"Together?" Belle's eyebrows rose in a fashion that only her and her father shared.

"No!" Both Brady and Mimi spat in unison.

"I was just asking," Belle held up her hands in mock surrender.

"I should be going. Thanks for the report Mimi. See you tonight sis," Brady bobbed his head and jogged out the door.

"What was that all about?" Belle inquired.

"Nothing," Mimi shrugged. "He needed the report, I gave him the report."

"Is that all you gave him?" Belle questioned suggestively.

"Belle!" Mimi replied in a shocked voice, secretly hiding the smile that tugged the corners of her lips. Lips that Brady Black had kissed just moments before.

Like I said, interesting work experience.