Guest I know everyone is used to me updating once a week, and I wish I could keep that pace up with this story as well, but so far that hasn't been possible. I'll try not to make you guys wait too long though.

Guest Thank you. I'm glad to hear that.

Guest Things are good. How about with you?

Author's Note: It's a short one, but it was either post the chapter as is, or wait another week until I get a day off to write, so here it is. Short but sweet. I can't thank you all enough for taking a chance on another story, and being patient with my sometimes unpredictable schedule. I really appreciate every kind review and every PM. They mean the world to me.

Chapter 6

The temperature had dropped significantly during the time they were inside. The cool night air felt nice against Emily's skin, which was flush from the heat of so many people in such a small space, from laughter, from the exertion of dancing both across the stage and on the makeshift dance floor and from the ease that had started to slowly develop between them as some of the awkwardness and tension slipped away as the night wore on. A pleasant chill ran through her and she wrapped her arms around her stomach, trying to hold onto some of her warmth.

"Are you cold?" Paige asked, pausing just outside the doorway and starting to shrug off her jacket, which she had just finished pulling on.

"I'm fine." Emily laid a hand on her arm, halting her movements.

"You've got goosebumps."

"We're twenty feet from my car." Emily nodded down the row towards where she was parked.

"Oh." Paige shifted closer and for a moment, Emily thought she was going to wrap her arm around her shoulders, but instead she slipped her hands deep into her pockets as they began to meander across the parking lot. Gravel crunched lightly under their feet and the dull whine of cars passing by on the highway to their left, hidden from sight by the trees surrounding them, filled the air, but otherwise the night was still. Emily could feel the heat radiating from Paige as she walked next to her. Their shoulders brushed with every other step, and Emily wasn't sure whether it was intentional or not, but she didn't step away.

She spotted Paige's car up ahead, on the opposite row. But Paige made no move towards it, didn't even glance over, apparently intent on walking Emily to her car. Emily was heartened by the gesture, though knew better than to comment on it.

As they approached her car, she slowed her step. Despite having spend the last several hours together, Emily was reluctant to bring this night to a close. For her part, Paige didn't call her on it, or attempt to hurry her along. She adjusted her step to match Emily's, bringing their pace down to that of a snails until, inevitably, they reached Emily's car. She dug into her purse for her keys and unlocked the car with a click of a button, but made no move to get reach for the doorhandle.

"I had a really great time tonight," Paige said softly. Emily nodded and murmured a quiet agreement, unable to shake how much this felt like the end of a date. She half expected Paige to swoop in and kiss her, the way she had the last time they had found themselves standing in this same parking lot, the same nervous energy and tension passing between them. But, Paige did not and Emily's thoughts warred between understanding and disappointment.

"I'm glad we did this. That we decided to be friends," Paige continued. "I know that some of what we talked about tonight was tough but..."

"But it needed to be talked about," Emily filled in. She agreed, even if some of what Paige had said had been hard to take, even though some of the truth had been a hard pill to swallow. "I'm glad too."

Paige's lips turned up in a soft, achingly sweet smile at Emily's words. "I think I'll take you up on your offer of a housewarming," she said. "But, I'm not going to make you cook. We've probably only got a few more nice weekends left. And I've got some space. I'll throw something on the grill, have a little backyard bbq."

"Sounds lovely." Emily hadn't cared so much about the cooking as she had about doing something for Paige to help cement the friendship they were striving towards. Not to mention, bringing their group back together again. She'd finally gotten the girls back, was slowly re-strengthening her bond with them. Getting Paige and the guys back would be the completion of the circle. "But, this is something that I want to do for you. It's your housewarming, you shouldn't have to lift a finger. The girls and I will take care of the food."

Paige looked like she wanted to protest, but after a moment simply nodded her acquiescense.

Emily could have stood in that parking lot all night, in the glow of the half-full moon, simply staring at Paige, soaking in her presence, the old familiar feeling of safety and security at being near her settling back in. And from the way Paige shifted in place, but didn't glance away, didn't make excuses to leave, Emily knew she felt the same way. Someone had to break the stalemate though.

"Thank you, for agreeing to meet with me," she said, stepping in for a parting hug. "Have a safe drive back."

Paige's arms slipped easily around her waist, her hands coming to rest against Emily's lower back like they were meant to be there. Her head fit neatly into the crook of Emily's shoulder, like it had so many times before. She heard audible gulp of a breath, felt Paige's heart racing in her chest and knew that in this moment, if she were to step back and bring their lips together in a kiss that they would end up in a repeat of last night. And, even though desire rushed through her at the thought, her knees going weak with it, she refrained. She pulled back slowly, reluctantly loosening her grip until her arms fell away.

"Goodnight," she whispered. Uable to stop herself she leaned in and brushed the faintest of kisses against Paige's cheek. She caught the way Paige's breath hitched. Felt the flutter of eyelashes against her face as Paige's lids drifted shut, but didn't let her gaze drift to Paige's to witness the reaction. As soon as she'd pulled back she spun away. Shaky hands reaching for the doorhandle.

For probably the first time since they'd known each other, Paige's hand wasn't there, trying to beat her to it. It had become a game between them, Emily trying to be faster, more agile, to thwart Paige's attempts at chivalry. Paige laughing and sometimes physically moving her out of the way to follow through. She slid into her seat but didn't immediately drive away. Her gaze went to the review mirror just in time to see Paige shake herself out of her daze and turn to make her way towards her own car. She watched, making sure that Paige made it safely inside and didn't turn on her own ignition until she saw the flash of Paige's tailights. Only then did she bring her car to life, backing out her parking space and pressing on the horn once in a final goodbye as she passed Paige's car on her way out of the lot.