The next day nearly all the superstars had a meet and greet before the show so Lee rode to the arena by herself. Of course, though, she had to stop for coffee. She picked up one for Colby, knowing he was probably as exhausted as she was after the long night. When she walked in she immediately found Colby taking a picture with a small girl in a Seth Rollins 'Redesign, Rebuild, Reclaim' shirt. He was just saying goodbye to her as Lee walked up.
"So you're gonna be watching me beat Kevin Owens at Hell in a Cell, right?" he was squatted down to her level talking to her.
"Yeah, I really want you to be the Champion," she answered shyly.
"Well don't worry, I will be," he said turning on his full Seth Rollins swagger. He looked up and saw Lee by the table with his coffee and smiled her way. Lee's stomach flipped. 'Stop it" she ordered herself so she wouldn't grin foolishly.
"Ok, Alisha, I have to talk to the other fans now. But I'm happy I got to meet you," he leaned in and gave the little girl a hug.
"Ok, thank you, Seth. Bye," she waved as her mom took her hand and pulled her away, thanking Colby as they left. He stood and walked over to Lee who handed him his coffee.
"Thank you, you're a lifesaver," he took the coffee and took a big drink.
"How's it going?" she asked looking around the room at the other superstars with their fans.
"Oh nothing out of the ordinary, I suppose," he answered.
"Well I'll let you get back to your line. If you eat before the show come grab me," Lee requested as she turned to leave.
"Will do," he replied. He watched her walk away for a moment before turning back to his fans.
The week continued and before long they all found themselves on a plane to their next destination. It was the week before Hell in a Cell and Monday night found Lee sitting at catering with Claudio, Stephen, Mercedes, and Pamela. They were talking about an upcoming charity event the superstars were all supposed to be attending that Friday when Colby came to join them.
"That dress is fierce," Mercedes said as she and Lee admired Pamela's dress for the galla.
"I know, Aaron's tux is perfect, too," she replied putting her phone away.
"I bet it's gonna be nice to see him. It's been a few weeks, right?" Lee said.
"Like five!" Pamela said
"I know, I can't wait to get to dance with my big teddy bear," Mercedes interjected. "Are you boys taking anyone?" she directed at the men of the table.
"I'm actually missing this one, it's my mum's birthday," Stephen answered as his attention never faltered from the plate of food in front of him.
"I met a girl when we were in Glasgow that I've been talking to, she's meeting me for the event," Claudio said a little shyly.
"Claudio! You didn't tell us you had met someone!" All the girls started to gush asking for details. Colby and Stephen laughed as Claudio got pelted with questions.
"She's sweet, she was working backstage there," Claudio held up his hands in surrender. "You'll get to meet her Friday."
"Fine, we will wait until then," Mercedes said turning her attention to Colby. "How about you, Colby?"
"I'm flying it solo," he replied with a shrug. Pamela gasped and clapped, "I know, why don't you take Lee? She won't get to come otherwise!"
"Guys, that's ok I don't need to go-"
"No come on, it will be fun," Pamela said turning back to Colby.
He grinned at her and turned to Lee, "Sure, you want to come with me, Lee?"
Lee blushed and began to shake her head, "Guys I don't have anything to wear to something like that-"
"Shopping!" Mercedes said throwing up her hands. "Yes, we will go tomorrow. That's settled, you're going."
Lee continued to blush as she looked over at Colby, he smiled at her, "You don't have to come if you don't want to, Lee. There will be a lot of cameras, I know you like to stay under the radar."
She looked down, "No, it could be fun. It's not like there aren't tons of pictures of us together and rumors all over the internet anyway."
"Yes, good, we will pick you up for lunch and shopping tomorrow!" Mercedes said getting up to throw away the rest of her meal.
The next day after hitting the gym with Colby and Claudio Lee showered and met Mercedes and Pamela at a department store downtown. Once inside they all immediately began picking out dresses they thought would look good on Lee.
"What about this one?" Pamela held up a purple, floor length gown with jewels around the collar.
"Uh...I don't really do bejeweled clothes…" Lee said doing her best to be diplomatic.
"I like this," Mercedes was holding an emerald green, two piece dress. Lee shook her head. They continued on holding up dresses and Lee vetoing them.
"You have to pick out something to try on-"
"Yeah, come on Lee!" Mercedes chorused.
Lee held up her hands, "Ok, ok. How about this? How about we each pick out two dresses and then I will go try them on? Just remember who you're looking for, please? Remember I'm not a 'Diva'," She turned back to the rack she was looking at. After about ten minutes of looking through the various dresses, and threatening to make her try on the most ludicrous ones they could find, they all made their choices and headed to the dressing room.
"Ok, you have to try on mine first," Pamela said handing her the two garments.
"Ok," Lee took the garments inside. After a few moments her voice came through the door, "Uh, Pamela, I think you only handed me the top part of this dress."
"Just come out," Mercedes called. So Lee emerged wearing a silver halter dress, the dressed was rouched around the middle and barely covered her ass.
"With some heels you would look-" Pamela began excitedly.
"Like a stripper," Lee finished while Mercedes laughed. "Ok, maybe it is a little short," Pamela conceded. "Go try on the other one then."
The next time Lee came out she was wearing a floor length pink taffeta gown. Mercedes immediately began laughing at the look on Lee's face.
"What is wrong with this one?!" Pamela exclaimed.
"All I'm missing is Ken and my dream house!"
"Exactly, you lose!" Mercedes said to Pamela. She picked up her dresses and handed them to Lee, "Go try these on." When Lee came back she was wearing a gold, sequin dress, it had long sleeves and a high neck. It really didn't look terrible on her.
"Oh my gosh, you look hot!" Mercedes said clapping her hands together. Lee turned and looked at the back in the mirror.
"It's not terrible," she said. "It really isn't me, though, Mercedes. I'm not overly fond of sequins or glitter in general."
"Lee, you can't look like your normal boring self. You have to- jazz it up a bit!" she replied emphatically.
"I don't know maybe," Lee replied. She tried on the other dresses they had collected. Pamela had left and came back during the last pick, a floor length sapphire blue number Lee had picked.
"Here, I think I found it," she handed Lee a dress. "It's understated and elegant just like you like, but it's got just a little sex appeal to it. Try it on."
When Lee came out this time they both gasped.
"Oh, girl, that is it," Mercedes said.
"You look gorgeous," Pamela said. Lee looked in the mirror and she couldn't disagree. It was a simple black, floor length gown with cap sleeves and scoop neck but from the back there was a cutout that came around just a little to the sides. You could just see the edge of her tattoo that she had gotten with Colby. The cut outs made her look like she had a waist and the sleeves made her arms look toned without being too muscular. She liked it, it was simple, but it looked like her.
"This is it," she smiled
That Friday the girls all went and got their hair done, Lee's was curled but left loose to hang around her face and down her back. Then Mercedes helped create a perfect smoky eye that she could never have done herself. She added a simple silver chain with a three-tiered diamond and matching earrings. With some silver strapped heels she was finished and ready when Colby knocked at the door of her hotel room.
She opened it and he looked up, "Hey, you ready..." he trailed off as he looked her over.
"Yeah, let me grab my phone," when she turned back around he was still staring. "Colby-" she said uncertainly.
"You look amazing," he said bring his eyes back to hers, Lee blushed. "Thanks, Colby. You clean up pretty well yourself," she said gesturing to his tux and pulled back hair as they began to walk down the hall.
"Thanks," he answered smoothing his hand down his suit and smiling. They made their way out to the car where Colby opened her door, "Well, thanks. Since when are you a gentleman?" Lee teased. Colby smiled, "The fairy godmother said it only lasts until midnight."
When they arrived they immediately had cameras flashing which made Lee tense up a little, her smile becoming forced. Colby noticed and placed his hand on the small of her back, "You're fine, I'm right here." Lee smiled up at him and they made their way inside. The night passed, they listened to presenters talk about charities and the work the donations from the WWE were helping with. They laughed and joked with their friends. Lee admired all the girls and how beautiful they looked in their formal dresses. They had fun, it was different being with Colby there and yet the same. They still laughed and joked but there was an underlying current, an electricity Lee felt when they caught each other's eyes sometimes or danced.
When they made their way back to the hotel Colby walked Lee back to her room.
"They're gonna be married by the end of the year," Lee said.
"Nah, Claudio's strong, he'll hold out," Colby laughed with his hands in his pockets. Lee laughed too before stopping in front of her door and turning to him, "Well thanks for taking me, Colby. I had a lot of fun tonight."
Colby looked down into her eyes, "Thank you for coming. I know I would have been bored without you. It's hard to remember how I did things before you were here sometimes." Colby said seriously, his eyes looked down at her lips for a second and he started to lean in. This time Lee, put her hand on his chest, "You got along just fine before me," she looked down and stepped back. "Goodnight, Colby." She turned and walked into her hotel room, stopping herself before she could get caught up in her feelings. When she turned to shut the door Colby was still standing there with his hands in his pockets looking dejected.
"Man, you have been glum all day, what is up with you!" Claudio exclaimed fed up with Colby's kicked puppy dog attitude. He and the New Day boys had gone out to a nearby pub to grab a drink the night before Hell in a Cell...the night after the charity dinner.
"It's nothing, man, just a bad night sleep," Colby shook his head.
Claudio exchanged looks with Austin, "Did you and Lee argue?" he asked knowingly.
"We didn't argue, we don't have anything to argue about," he said.
"What does that mean?" Ettore said drinking the rest of his beer
Colby sighed and ran his hand through his hair, "It's just- I don't know guys. Things have just been different. I….I kissed her," he admitted.
"Finally!" Claudio exclaimed. Austin and Ettore cheered.
Colby chuckled, "It was the day we got back from spending the night at the airport," he sighed. "I don't know, I just, I've been feeling different about her lately, you know?"
"Oh, we know," Austin said knowingly. "We been watching you two for the last two months!"
Colby laughed with them, "Yeah, I know you guys have been saying it but I guess it just took me a bit to realize. It wasn't until I was home for that week and then she was at that conference that I realized," he leaned back, "I realized it just kind of sucks when she isn't around. Everything is better when she's there to do it with."
All the guys looked at each other, "You have got it bad!" Claudio said putting his arm around Colby. "So what's the problem?"
"Well," Colby began leaning forward and putting his hands around his glass. "When I kissed her she freaked out a little. You would have thought I electrocuted her the way she jumped! Then she said something about us just being tired. I just kind of agreed because I wasn't sure what I was feeling! Then last night we had such a nice night, at the end of the night I just knew, I knew I had meant it before. I was going to kiss her again but she stopped me and we said goodnight." He sighed again and leaned back. "I don't know, I guess she must not feel the same."
"That I know is not true," Claudio said. "She's always liked you. But Lee's different, man. I just think she's worried you don't know what you want. I mean look how long it took you to figure it out! Lee isn't the kind of girl to be a passing fancy. If she doesn't think you're certain then she isn't going to be certain about you."
"Maybe," Colby said draining the rest of his drink.
"No maybe about it," Austin said getting up. He walked around to the side of the table and took a hold of Colby, "Now you need to get up and go tell her you are serious. Because we aren't going to watch you two keep dancing around it." He and Claudio practically pushed him out of his chair.
Colby looked at them, "Right now? She'll be asleep."
"She'll wake up for this," Ettore chuckled.
"Ok," Colby said sounding a little more confident. "You guys are paying for my drink, though" he smiled as he walked out the pub door.
Colby was right, Lee was sound asleep when she heard a loud knock on her door and Colby's voice, "Lee, I know you're probably asleep, but I need to talk to you. Lee?" It took Lee a second to catch up to what he said before she jumped out of bed, still in nothing but her too large Hounds of Justice t-shirt she had slept in for years.
She opened the door, "Colby, is something wrong?" she asked still a little asleep. He looked her up and down and sucked in a big breath, "Fuck, that's what we need to talk about Lee," he said as he walked past her into the room. She followed him and moved to turn on a light.
"What are you talking about?" she asked confused.
He gestured to her appearance, "That, that right there. It's moments like that."
She looked down, "What are you talking about? Do you want me to put on pants? Am I making you uncomfortable?"
"No that's just it, you're perfect. You're absolutely gorgeous and you answer the door in nothing but one of my groups old t-shirts and all I want to do is kiss you for how amazing that is!" he sounded almost angry.
She tilted her head and scrutinized him, "Colby, are you drunk?"
He threw his hands up in the air, "No, I'm not drunk. You know I don't drink!"
"I'm sorry," she put her hands up by her chest. "But you barge in here at like midnight and you aren't making any sense, what am I supposed to think?"
Colby sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, "You're right, let me start over. Lee, I need to talk to you."
"OK…"
He looked uncomfortable, "The thing is I'm not sure how to start."
Lee looked at him then walked forward and put her hand on his arm, "Colby, you can talk to me about anything." He looked into her eyes for a moment then moved his hand to the back of her head so she couldn't run away this time. Then he leaned in and kissed her, but this time he really kissed her. Lee stiffened for a moment but then she let herself melt into the kiss, placing her hand on his chest and tilting her head up to him. After a second they broke apart and Colby leaned his forehead against hers, never losing eye contact, "I'm not tired now, Lee. I know what I'm doing and I know what I want. I hate doing things without you, you've become my best friend. But you're so much more than that You're the person I look forward to seeing every day. You're the person who tells me like it is, without bullshitting me. You-you make my life better."
Lee looked down and pulled away, "Colby, I don't want to start something and ruin our friendship just to find out later that you're lonely or confused or something. I've liked you for a long time and I don't know if I could take that-"
"You won't have to," he reached out and took her hands. "Lee, I want to be with you-"
"Are you really sure?" she asked looking into his eyes. "Because there are literally thousands of girls out there who would kill to be with you Colby. Ones that are lot prettier and freer. Maybe you should just find one of the other superstars to date, someone on your own level-"
Colby threw his head back and laughed, "You're kidding. You think you aren't pretty enough for me?" He shook his head and pulled her to him again. This time he kissed her passionately, almost forcefully, pulling her body flush against his. This time when they stopped they were both a little breathless, "I can't imagine anyone hotter than you in this t-shirt." He grinned devilishly. "Lee, this isn't something I'm doing on a whim. I've known for weeks. That first night I kissed you? The night after the airport?" She blushed as he moved his hand to the side of her face, "I knew then, I knew that I was falling for you. Lee, I understand you're scared, nothing is guaranteed in life, but I think there is something real here." He looked at her, keeping his hand on her face, he waited for her to make her decision. She searched for something, for what he didn't know, but she must have found it because after a second she brought her hand up to cover his.
"Ok," she said softly looking into his eyes.