Before leaving work the following afternoon, Abigail spoke to her best friend Julia and she was able to confirm that Italiano’s was indeed an incredibly fancy restaurant. Her friend was dying to know what was going on, but Abigail was reluctant to reveal any information. She had no idea what to expect and she wasn’t even really sure why she was going. In the back of her mind she was a reluctant to go because she didn’t want to get involved in a relationship. No matter how good looking she thought Kevin was, she was finally getting settled into her new life and she didn’t want to make things any more complicated by getting involved with someone, and a relationship with a celebrity was definitely off limits. It was a risk to put her self into a relationship that could be played out in front of the media. She was sure her lawyer would have a coronary if he found out what she was considering doing. In the end she decided she would meet Kevin for dinner and try to convince him that she wasn’t interested in a relationship. She decided she would tell him the truth and tell him that she had just gotten out of a serious long term relationship, and she was on the rebound.

It didn’t take Abigail long to find the perfect gown that night while she was shopping. It was a little more than she could afford, but she part of her wanted to look good for Kevin. ‘Why can’t my head and heart be in the same place?’ Abigail asked herself as she got onto the subway. The whole way home, she daydreamed about Kevin and what it would be like to kiss him.

The following day, Abigail was having a difficult time focusing at work. Kevin had called and left her a message while she was on lunch and he told her that he was looking forward to seeing her later that night. ‘Damn it, he’s going to make it difficult to resist him.” Abigail said to herself as she listened to the message for the fourth time that afternoon. She just loved his slow southern accent and couldn’t bring herself to delete the message. She tried to remind herself not to become too attached, because she had to tell him that she couldn’t get involved with him in just a few short hours.

Abigail managed to leave work a few minutes early and was able to make it home by 5:30. She never had to work hard to look good, but she found herself spending a little extra time getting ready that night. She was impressed when she emerged from her bedroom an hour later. Abigail cursed her natural beauty as she looked at herself in the mirror. ‘This is no way to try and convince someone that you’re not interested.’ Abigail said to herself as she grabbed her things and went downstairs to the waiting taxi. It was something that she couldn’t really afford to do, but she couldn’t show up by bus. She sighed as she was reminded once again about the differences in their lives. She couldn’t help but feel depressed when she realized she probably would never fit into Kevin’s life, no matter how much they liked each other.

Kevin made a conscious effort to arrive at the restaurant a few minutes early. It was always a struggle for him to arrive anywhere on time and the other guys always joked that Kevin would be late for his own funeral. He walked around the private dining room and ensured that everything was in place. He was out to impress Abigail, but he would realize later that the little insignificant things he did would impress her.

While Kevin took a few minutes to enjoy the view from a balcony that overlooked the city, he didn’t hear Abigail arrive and walk up behind him. He jumped when he heard her say a quiet “Hello”. His breath caught in his throat as he watched Abigail approach in her simple, yet elegant navy blue gown. She looked like she had just stepped off the pages of a fashion magazine. Kevin finally found his voice and said, “You look fantastic Abigail!”

“Thanks, but I think I went a little overboard.” Abigail said as she flushed and nervously fidgeted with her hands while she looked at the floor. His mesmerizing green eyes had such an effect on her that she just had to look away. She immediately regretted coming to meet Kevin, because she realized that he would be difficult to resist now that he was standing before her.

Kevin sensed that Abigail was uncomfortable and he wanted to find a way to make her relax, and quick. “Can I interest you in a glass of wine?” Kevin asked, as he walked towards the bottle of wine that had been set out.

Abigail accepted the glass of wine from Kevin in hopes that it would calm her nerves. After a few minutes of silence, Abigail said, “You really know how to impress a girl.” As she looked around, she realized that she had never been treated to such an elaborate date.

“Sometimes I need to take a few extra precautions to ensure that the person I’m with is comfortable. I can deal with the fans approaching me, but I don’t expect the people I’m with to have to deal with it. I hope this doesn’t make you uncomfortable?” Kevin asked.

“No, I’m fine. It’s just a little overwhelming, that’s all.” Abigail replied as she looked up at Kevin for the first time. He really was a very good-looking man and she could sense that he was just as nervous as she was. As he stood there in front of her, she realized that for someone who was adored by fans all over the world, he really was just like everyone else. It had to be even more difficult for him to go out on a limb like he was.

“Well, hopefully I can help you forget about all of this by the time the night’s over. But if you feel uncomfortable, please let me know and we can go elsewhere. I just wanted to meet in a place where we could get to know each other without any interruptions.” Kevin said, fearing that he had chosen a setting that was much too formal for a first date. He had gotten carried away and he feared it would scare her off.

“This is fine Kevin. This just isn’t necessary all the time. In all honesty, most women I know wouldn’t complain about being wined and dined like this.” Abigail said, trying to ease Kevin’s mind. She chuckled to herself when she realized that Kevin needed reassurance that he hadn’t gone to far to try to impress her and she needed reassurance that she was doing the right thing. Unfortunately, even Kevin couldn’t reassure her of that one. He would never have a chance to put her mind at ease because he would never know about the doubts that she was having.

For the next hour, Kevin and Abigail fell into a comfortable conversation. Kevin told her all about his childhood while Abigail tried to disclose as much as she could about herself without getting into too many details. The real story would scare Kevin off, she was sure of that.

While they ate dinner, Kevin told Abigail some interesting stories about their fans and being on the road. She respected Kevin for being able to tolerate a life that meant he spent more time away from home than any one cared to. She wasn’t sure she could handle a life like that, but Kevin insisted that he loved performing and making music. He said it made it all worth it to see the fans happy. It was obvious that Kevin loved what he did; by the way his eyes would light up every time he talked about their music or their fans. She wondered what it was like to truly be happy. She thought she had been at one point in her life, but as she looked back, it was difficult to realize that she never had been.

Once dinner and dessert had been cleared from the table, Kevin asked Abigail if she wanted to dance. She reluctantly stepped into Kevin’s arms and they danced in silence for several minutes, both lost in their own thoughts. “What are you thinking?” Kevin asked.

That was a good question. She wasn’t sure what she was thinking. Abigail was definitely enjoying Kevin’s company and she wanted to see him again, yet her annoying practical side was sending out warning signs. In the end she decided to be honest with Kevin. “To be honest Kevin, I’m confused. I’m enjoying myself and I really do want to get to know you better, but I’m not sure I’m ready to get into a serious relationship just yet.” Abigail said, as she looked Kevin in the eye. She was afraid she would see disappointment or sadness mirrored in his eyes, but instead she only saw how much he cared and understood.

“I can understand your apprehension Abigail. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t interested in seeing you again as well. I’m extremely attracted to you as a person and as a woman Abigail. You’re a very attractive woman and you’ve got a mind of your own, which I admire and am attracted to in a woman. I won’t push you into anything that you aren’t ready for, but will you promise me that we can get together again? Something a little more casual the next time might be more appropriate. It isn’t necessary that everything I do be extravagant.” Kevin said, as he held his breath once again waiting for Abigail to answer.

Abigail stepped out of Kevin’s arms. She needed to put some distance between them so she would be able to think a little more clearly. She almost felt like she was intoxicated when she was in his presence.

“What is it Abigail? You can be honest with me. No matter what it is, I will respect any decision that you make.” Kevin said, trying to be as supportive as possible.

“I wish I could give myself to you Kevin, but I’m just not sure I’m capable of that right now. I can’t go into details Kevin, but I lost someone that I loved very much and I guess you could say I’m not really over him yet.” Abigail said, hoping that Kevin would understand and not push her for more details.

“It’s difficult to open your heart up once it’s been broken. I’ll understand if you don’t want to see me again. As I said all ready, I don’t want to pressure you into something that you’re not ready for.” Kevin said, trying to hide the disappointment he was feeling.

Kevin watched as Abigail walked towards the balcony and he couldn’t help but admire her beautiful body. He watched her struggle with her feelings and he feared it might be the last time he saw her. Kevin’s thoughts were interrupted when Abigail said, “With everything that I’ve said, would it sound crazy if I said I did want to see you again Kevin?”

“No, I wouldn’t call that crazy. Just let me know what I can do to make this easier for you. I hate the thought that you’re struggling over this.” Kevin said.

“Would you be terribly upset if I said I just wanted to start off as friends?” Abigail asked, listening to her practical side for the first time since Kevin had called the day before.

“Not at all. I’ll be here whenever you’re ready to open your heart again. Until that time, we’re just friends.” Kevin said. He believed that Abigail was interested in him, but she was fighting a daemon from her past. He could only hope that his patience and understanding would pay off in the end. He wasn’t ready to give up on her just yet.

“Thanks Kevin. I do like you, but I need you to know that I need some time and I can’t guarantee what will happen in the future.” Abigail said. She felt like she was lying to Kevin, but she was being as honest as she possibly could. She didn’t think it was right to get him involved in her messed up life. Kevin’s behavior for the remainder of the night didn’t help as he respected her wishes and kept his distance. Abigail had the feeling that Kevin was the type of man she spent most of her teenage years dreaming about. It was unfortunate that she couldn’t let nature take it’s course.