CHAPTER EIGHT
 

I groaned as I listened to Mike.

“Michelle this is such a great opportunity. Just think the top selling female artist right now opens for the Backstreet Boys. This will push you even farther to the top.”

“But Mike, I DON’T have anything here. I mean think about it. My dancers are in Yellowstone right now, my outfits are in New York, about the only person I have right now that can help me here is Liz, and she would have to sing back-up because Jessie and Sarah are in Florida right now.”

“So I call and get them to you in about two hours. I’ll have Lorna send your outfits, and I’ll get a hold of Billy. It shouldn’t take them that long to drive in from Yellowstone. You’re in Denver right; it’s only about a four hour drive with how he drives. You know that.”

I sighed, “Fine, but you better be here too. That means you have to fly with Jessie and Sarah and don’t forget Steve. I want you here in three hours. I’ll see if there is someone here that can do my hair. Call me back with the plan.”

I didn’t even wait for him to respond. I hung up my cell and walked back into the venue to see everyone dancing and laughing. I rolled my eyes at the sight and continued to walk to the stage where they were.

“Hey girlie, Get a hold of him?”

“Yes Riss. He said for me to do it. Therefore you all have to listen to me.”

“Shoot.” Kevin said sitting on the stage in front of me.

“First off I want to go before Sisqo.”

“Ok that can be arranged.”

I glanced up to see everyone staring at me talking to Kevin. “And I need to borrow AJ’s hair stylist, plus I have to run through my show with you. I’m only doing four or five songs. No more. No less.”

Kevin nodded. “That’s fine. Which do you want to do first?”

“Start my hair.” I said hopping up on stage.

* * * *

I watched as Michelle went through her dance routine while everyone else went out to get lunch. They asked if I wanted to go but I decided to wait and go with Michelle when she was done. Michelle received her phone call from Mike and I took it that everything was going as planned. Her outfits already arrived. Michelle said Lorna found a place that could ship them in two hours and that’s what they did. I glanced at my watch which now read four o’clock. It was two when all these plans started taking place. Mike was due to arrive around five with the movie for her opening number and her two back-up singers.

“Thanks Fatima.”

I heard Michelle say and looked up to see her walking towards me.

“Hey what are you doing here?”

“Waiting for you to finish practicing so I could see if you wanted to grab a bite to eat.”

She smiled, had to admit, I loved that smile. “Thanks Nick, but I really can’t go out looking like this.” She pointed at her hair which had various pieces of aluminum foil strategically placed throughout her hair.

I chuckled, “I guess not. Umm I could go grab something and bring it back for us. We could eat in the dressing room you have.”

She smiled another smile. God I am falling for her smile. “Sounds great. Pick up whatever you want. I don’t eat red meat though.”

I nodded, “Ok I’ll be back in five.”

“Ok.”

I turned and started for the door feeling her eyes on me. For some reason I got this feeling that I’ve never felt before. I looked back over my shoulder to see her with J’s stylist walking off the stage. I turned back and headed out to find my bodyguard to see if he could go get us something.

* * * *

I sighed as I relaxed on the couch in the dressing room that Kevin had arranged to get for me. I smiled to myself not really thinking of anything, that was, until Nick came to mind. I don’t know what’s wrong with me but I seemed to be thinking more and more about him lately. I shook my head. I’m just crazy. There was no way he’d like me or even think about liking me. One I’m just like him, and two I’m completely different from him. I sighed and closed my eyes.

“Michelle, you in here?”

“Unfortunately. What’s up Riss?”

I opened my eyes and looked at her standing in my door way. “Well I don’t have the right film on me for this.”

I laughed, “Girlie you’re on vacation. Don’t worry about taking pictures. Tell ya what, have Steve go get you the right film and take them for fun. If I see one I like then we’ll use it.”

She smiled at me. “Thanks girlie. Where is your bodyguard?”

I shrugged, “He might be with the Boys’ bodyguards.”

“Ok. Thanks girlie.”

I watched as she turned and ran back out the door in search of Steve. I sighed and was beginning to doze a little when another knock startled me.

“Come in,” I called out not bothering to move.

“Hey Michelle. We have Wendy’s, is that ok?”

I sat up and smiled at him. “That’s perfect,” I said and patted the couch next to me. “You are a life saver. I am sooo hungry.”

He chuckled and took out chicken nuggets and French fries for us.

“Oh my. You are definitely a life saver.” I said as I bumped into his shoulder and grabbed a French fry.

“Dang. I guess I must be pretty special huh.”

I looked at him for a moment then dropped my gaze. “Yes Nick, you are. Don’t forget that.” I looked at him and smiled and started eating. We laughed and talked through out the rest of our quick meal.