They had gone about three or four blocks down the boardwalk in relative silence before Sara decided that she needed to say something. She was really unclear about what seemed to be going on between them and she knew that even though they'd put an act on around Juan Carlos to get him to stop hitting on her, there was no one around right now and Nick still wanted to hold her hand. It was opening an entire floodgate of emotions in Sara that she wasn't sure she wanted to deal with and she kept thinking about the fact that once they had gone to dinner and ended their day, they were going to have to share a bed. A fact that she was becoming less and less comfortable with by the moment since all she seemed to be able to concentrate on was the feel of Nick's palm against hers.

She halted her steps and looked at a startled Nick with a bit of trepidation. "Nick?"

His brows curved upward in an unsure expression as he took in her demeanor. "Yeah?" He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and as he did, Sara furrowed her brow and nibbled at her lower lip. Immediately he knew that he'd pushed her too far.

Sara really wasn't sure what she was going to say, but she knew that she needed to say something as she pulled her hand out of his, taking note of the slightly disappointed expression on Nick's face. "I...uh...well, it's just...I'm." She really didn't seem to be able to form the words that kept circling her mind.

Nick tilted his head slightly and a tiny smile tugged at his mouth. "I need to back off a little, don't I?" He reasoned that he would just throw it out there and see where things went.

Sara looked confused and she sat down on a nearby bench.

Nick felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach and sat down next to her. "I just thought that guys wouldn't hit on you if it looked like we were together. You just seemed really bothered by how Juan Carlos was acting towards you earlier."

Sara felt disappointment at the idea that he had only held her hand to ward off other men, and that he hadn't done it because he might actually find her attractive. "Oh."

Nick could tell that he wasn't really communicating very well and decided that maybe he had just better lay some of his cards out on the table. "Look, Sara, you're a very beautiful woman and I guess when Juan Carlos was hitting on you, I felt kind of jealous." He was rubbing the back of his neck in a nervous gesture.

Sara looked at him for a long moment a bit skeptically before a hint of a smile began to appear on her face. "You were jealous?"

He chuckled nervously. "Yeah."

Sara didn't want to jump to conclusions, so instead she decided to get a little more clarification. "Can I ask why?" She was unconsciously nibbling at her lower lip.

The fact that she had to ask him that question made him smile, even as he felt a bundle of nerves dancing in his stomach. "Sara, you're one of my best friends, but I'm not sure that's enough for me anymore." He studied her to see her reaction.

Sara felt as if her heart had stopped in her chest momentarily and her eyes widened.

"Maybe I shouldn't have invited you on this trip knowing the way that I feel about you." He let out a frustrated sigh at his lack of foresight about the situation.

Sara's brow was furrowed as she considered his words. Again, she didn't want to jump to conclusions as she looked at him. "And exactly what would that be? I mean, how do you feel about me?"

Nick wasn't sure how she was going to respond, but he decided to just lay it on the line. "I like you, a lot, and not in a brotherly way either. I'd really like to date you." He could tell that she was a little taken aback by his confession. "I'm really sorry if this makes things awkward, Sara. I'm really, really sorry."

Sara looked at his conflicted expression and felt a smile creep across her face. "I'm not."

Nick's brows curved upwards. "You're not?"

Sara shook her head and let out a nervous chuckle. "No."

"Why?" Nick's throat felt exceptionally dry at that moment.

Sara just decided to blurt it out before she lost her courage. She averted her gaze just slightly. "One of the reasons I came with you on this trip is because lately it seems that my feelings for you have been changing." She glanced up and locked her eyes with his. "I really like you too, and there's nothing sisterly about it."

A smile broke out over Nick's face.

Sara continued talking. "But I'm concerned that this whole situation is just going to complicate things."

"The hotel room." Nick offered.

She furrowed her brow and nodded. "It's not that I'm not attracted to you. I think it's because I am attracted to you."

"Yeah." Nick nodded in understanding. He knew she wasn't the kind of woman who gave herself away very easily and sharing a bed knowing that they felt the same way about each other was going to be difficult if not impossible if they were going to try and keep their hands off of each other.

"I mean, I just don't want to rush anything. I just want whatever is going to happen, to happen in its own time." Her expression was serious, but she was smiling.

Nick smiled back at her reassuringly. "Sara, I don't want to do anything to make you uncomfortable, and if sleeping together..." His eyes widened as he fumbled to explain himself. "I mean sharing a bed and actually sleeping makes you uncomfortable, then I'll sleep on the cold tile floor in the bathroom." He smirked at her as she let out a giggle. "Better than a cold shower."

Sara felt herself blushing and cleared her throat. She stood up and offered him her hand and as he took it, she smiled. "Let's just play it by ear, ok?"

He grinned at her and squeezed her hand as they continued walking back towards the shops that lined the plaza. "That sounds good to me."