Sydney sat at a fancy dress in an expensive restaurant fidgeting with her hands nervously. She was on a date with Chris, but not just a date, it was their first public date. Syd still remembered Gage's reaction when she told him. She had told him last, Walker and Trivette seemed to be cool with it but Gage was in shock.

Flashback:

"Gage, I need to tell you something." she told him.

"What is it Syd?" he asked while looking the other, preoccupied with something else.

Sydney cleared her voice, trying to get his attention,

"It's about Chris. Well, actually it's about Chris and me."

Gage turned around to face her, she had his full attention now.

"What about you guys?" Gage asked.

"Well, he kind of asked me out again." Syd said awkwardly.

"Did you tell him to bug off?" Gage asked with a false smile.

"Uh, not exactly." Sydney told him.

"Sydney, what did you tell him?" Gage asked seriously.

"Uh, I kind of agreed." Syd answered.

"What?!" Gage exclaimed, "You're kidding right? I thought you didn't feel that way about Chris."

"Well, I didn't," she answered, "but I do now."

"It's been only two weeks since he asked you out! You can't change your mind that quickly!!!" Gage protested.

"Well, I did," Syd said firmly, "and I don't know why you're making this into such a big deal."

"Well," Gage stuttered, "it's because, I . . . uh, I don't think you guys are right for each other!!!"

Sydney laughed, "Oh really? And how would you know Gage? This is my relationship, not yours."

"But-" Gage said, only to be cut off my Sydney who said in a more calm voice this time,

"Gage, listen, I'm sorry if you disagree with my decision, but it's my decision. I really like Chris, okay? Please don't say anything to him. This won't change anything! Besides, wasn't it you who told me that when I found a guy who was good enough for me he wouldn't be intimidated?"

"I guess so, sorry Syd. I kind of blew up I guess. It was just so unexpected! Sorry."

"It's okay Gage." she told him.

As she walked out the door she heard him whisper to himself,

"But wasn't it you who kissed me right after I told you that?"

She pretended not to hear him.

End Flashback

As Chris returned to their table from the bathroom Syd cast out any images or thoughts of Gage and smiled at Chris. Gage seemed to have gotten used to the idea of her and Chris dating over the past few days, things were okay between them. So for once in her life Sydney was completely happy. Her friendships were intact, and she might even be in love.

"Hey Syd," Chris smiled at her as he sat down, "ya miss me?"

"Always." Sydney smiled back at him.

"This was really fun Syd." Chris told her.

"Yah Chris, I haven't had this much fun on a date in years!" Syd agreed.

"I'm really glad you decided to give me a chance." Chris said more softly as he reached across the table to grab her hand.

Sydney reached for his hand as well as she answered,

"I'm glad I did too."

They had already finished eating their dinner, so their waiter approached the table and asked,

"Are either of you interested in a dessert?"

"Oh, no thank you." Sydney insisted.

"Come on Sydney, let me treat you." Chris asked.

"No, it's all right-" Syd told him.

"Really, please. We'll split something."

Syd opened her mouth to protest and then closed it and smiled,

"Okay Chris, what do you want to order?"

"Whatever you want." Chris told her.

"Well maybe I want whatever you want." she reasoned.

Their waiter cleared his throat, making it clearly known that he was in a rush. They quickly ordered an ice cream sundae. When the sundae arrived at their table it came with two spoons. They both took one and began to did in. The delicious triple chocolate fudge sundae was devoured in mere minutes. When they both lied back in their chairs after finishing the dessert, Syd giggled.

"What's so funny?" Chris asked.

Sydney laughed again and pointed at him.

"Me?" he asked confused.

"Yes you," she laughed, "you have some . . . some," Syd broke off laughing before she could continue.

Chris pretended to pout and Sydney stopped laughing. She smiled at him as she reached over to his face, touched his noise, and removed a big blog of whipped cream from it. Chris blushed and said,

"Oh. That was what was so funny."

They stared silently at each other for a moment, and then broke out in laughter. When they finally stopped they made eye contact and were quiet. Syd looked into his deep, gorgeous eyes. His brown eyes seemed to be endless, they seemed to have a story to tell. And more importantly, Syd saw in that his eyes possessed something, love.

A little while later when they were exiting the restaurant Chris turned to face her and held her hands. He leaned towards her and whispered quietly into her ear,

"I love you Sydney, with all my heart."

Sydney's eyes began to water and she whispered back,

"I love you too."

And for once in her life, Syd was absolutely, positively sure of what she told him.

As they looked at each other again, Chris moved towards her again. This time he didn't aim for her ear, but for her lips.

Sydney's heart skipped a beat as she prepared for him to kiss her. But then suddenly flashes of the time she kissed Gage entered her head.

Suddenly, she wasn't absolutely, positively sure.

Sydney leaned away from him right as he was about to kiss her. He looked at her with confusion and hurt, she told him,

"I so sorry Chris. I love you, I really think I do. But I'm just not ready for this yet."

"It's okay Syd," Chris assured her, "we can take this slow. I can wait, I will always love you."

He smiled at her and she forced a smile in return. Later that night when she was in her apartment Sydney told herself,

"I love Chris. I truly, absolutely love Chris. I love Chris. I love Chris. I love Chris. I love Chris. Chris loves me, and I love him. Chris and I are meant to be. I love Chris with all of my heart. I love Chris. I love Chris. I love Chris. I love Chris. I love Chris . . . not Gage. I love Chris. Right?"