Prologue

          Rachel Valentine stood in front of a floor-length mirror, staring at her reflection. She was in awe of herself. She couldn't believe this day had come.

          Her wedding day.

          She grinned as she reached for the diamond studs her husband-to-be had sent her that morning to slip onto her lobes, joining the four other sets of studs that traveled up her ear. That tattooed and pierced man was a terrible influence, she thought to herself with a smile. She turned her face this way and that and rubbed her lips together, making sure her makeup was perfect. She smiled and checked her teeth. She blew out a breath, frustrated at the flyaway wheat-colored curls that framed her face. She closed her eyes, calming herself.

She ran her hands down the beaded bodice of her strapless dress, still in shock that her groom was willing to shell out the seven hundred dollars for it. He'd even offered to pay more if it was what she wanted.

          He can afford it, she reminded herself. She took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. She couldn't believe she was just twenty minutes away from being Mrs. Christopher Kirkpatrick, one-fifth of the hottest vocal group on the planet.

          It was only just over a year ago, when her best friend introduced her to the dark-haired, dark-eyed crooner...

Chapter One

          "Bug, I really don't want to go." Rachel plopped down onto the bed belonging to her best friend. She picked up a decorative pillow from the mass of them assembled at the head of the bed and hugged it to her chest, her full bottom lip slightly protruding.

          Madison Park sighed heavily, fluttering her jet black blunt-cut bangs and rolled her eyes. "Come on, Boo," she begged. "You've been so mopey and moody lately." Rachel raised gloomy hazel-green eyes. "When are you gonna get over that dipshit Mark?" Madison hadn't meant to sound irritated, but she had been worried for her friend of six years.

          "I am over Mark. It has nothing to do with that...jerk."

          Madison lowered to her bed, crossed her legs, facing Rachel. "Then what is it, Rachel?" Rachel frowned. Madison never called her by name unless she was serious. They'd started calling each other ‘Bug' and ‘Boo' the moment they met; on Halloween when they were ten years old. Rachel was dressed as a ghost and Madison, a ladybug.

          "It's just..." she sighed heavily and flexed her fingers. "Ugh! There are no good guys out there. They're all these horny, immature little boys."

          Madison and their friend, Angela Aceves, giggled. "Uh, Boo, we're still in high school. It is highly unlikely that you're gonna meet your soul mate in P.E. or Social Studies."

          Rachel rubbed a finger under her nose, trying to hide her grin. "I know."

          "So come with us and meet the guys." Madison reached out to take Rachel's hand, bouncing on the bed with excitement. "I begged JJ to get us in and now I owe him big time. All because I know how much you, my best friend, loves *NSYNC and wants to meet them."

          Rachel slouched and scoffed, flicking her eyes to Madison. "Isn't it bad enough that you're the lucky one to be friends with Justin Timberlake and the other guys? Must you make me feel worse?"

          "I'm not trying to make you feel worse. I just want you to have some fun, Boo. And the guys are fun. And I'm trying to get you to go somewhere that isn't school or one of our houses."

          "Bug!" Rachel squealed. "You make it seem like I don't go anywhere else. I go to the mall."

          "To work. That's not good enough." Angela rose from the chair at Madison's desk where she had just finished painting her nails. "So...I'm not going if you're not," she said stubbornly, placing her hands on her narrow hips, fingers splayed.

          Rachel glanced between her two friends and couldn't help but grin. "All right, I'm going."

Chapter Two

          Rachel was sandwiched between Madison and Angela, Madison taking the lead, as they entered the nightclub. She was amazed they'd gotten in, as it had a sign posted outside that read "Under 21 Not Allowed." But Justin, a childhood friend of Madison's and the youngest member of the group, had their names on a list at the door. The moment they were verified, the three girls were swiftly whisked off to the VIP section.

          The first person Madison saw was her friend, Justin Timberlake, a classically handsome young man of seventeen with curly dark-blonde hair and bright blue eyes peeking out from long, dark-blonde lashes. He greeted her with a firm, familiar hug and peck on the cheek. Madison turned on her charm and introduced Justin to Rachel and Angela, who giggled like a five-year old the entire time. Then the dark-haired, blue-eyed Adonis that was Joshua "JC" Chasez stepped forward to hug and kiss Madison as Justin had. Rachel and Angela were introduced to him and his girlfriend of several months, Olivia. And lastly, they met Joey Fatone, the most notoriously flirtatious of the group, with dark Italian looks, and Lance Bass, a dark-blonde spiky-haired, green-eyed Southern gentleman.

          "Where's Chris?" Angela asked of the last member of the group, tugging Madison close to scream into her ear. She shrugged in answer.

          Rachel stood off to the side, smiling as best she could, then suddenly found herself sitting in a corner of the sectioned-off area by herself. Angela was off dancing and flirting like mad-with a backup dancer who had accompanied the pop starlet he danced for. Unbelieving of where she was, Rachel shrunk into the plush sofa she sat on, crossed her arms over her chest and blended into the background.

          Madison was at the bar with Justin when she spotted Rachel sulking in the dark. She was sipping from her Shirley Temple when she slapped a hand at him, hitting him in the shoulder.

          "Dude! What the hell, Mads?" He said turning to face her.

          "JJ, look at her." Madison aimed a finger in Rachel's direction. "She's miserable."

          "Well, what do you want me to do?" He asked, discreetly checking out a blonde as she waltzed by and grinning with a nod when she smirked back at him.

          "Go ask her to dance or something."

          Justin made a face and laughed. "Mads, this is Rach. According to you, she doesn't dance."

          "I know. But I hate seeing her like that." She looked at the dance floor, searching across the club.

          "Who are you looking for?" Justin raised a hand to get the bartender's attention and ordered another Coke.

          "She hasn't met Chris yet." Madison rose on her toes looking for dark spiked hair.

          Justin leaned back against the bar on his elbows. "So?"

          "So. He's her favorite." She glanced at him, grinning when he made a pained face. "Oh, please! The other three million teenage chicks in the country hold you at number one, JJ. It's your poster they kiss at night before drifting off to sleep listening to you sing Tearin' Up My Heart." She fluttered her long, black lashes playfully at him and he made a face at her, sticking out his tongue. She turned her back to him and continued to search for Chris.

          Justin frowned and his eyes roamed down Madison's tall, lean frame, his eyebrows rising as his eyes rested at the back of her mini-skirt. "So who's your favorite, Mads?"

          She turned her head, resting her chin on her tanned bare shoulder, the long, black curtain of her hair swishing softly. She narrowed her almond-shaped crystal eyes at the smirk that curved Justin's impossibly perfectly bowed lips, making his fairytale prince looks seem dangerous.

          "JC of course," she said, knowing it would irk him. She was right. His features twisted into a scowl and she stifled a giggle. "Come on, JJ." She slipped her hand in his and tugged him up from the bar, heading for the dance floor.

          Rachel watched. She watched everyone, unnoticed in her dark little corner. She watched the guys of *NSYNC, her friends, celebrities she knew, others she didn't. Her heart ached, watching JC and his girlfriend dance slowly to an up-tempo song, their bodies close, their foreheads touching. She'd heard rumors he'd been seen ring shopping and a proposal was eminent, thought they hadn't even dated a year.

          She tore her eyes from them, irritated at their blissfulness. She hadn't lied to Madison; her mood had nothing to do with her ex-boyfriend. She was glad it was over. But she liked being a girlfriend, she liked when someone liked her. He was only her third boyfriend and they were only together a whopping six months, but the way he broke up with her-over the phone, while she vacationed with her parents and older brother over Spring Break-stung more than anything else.

          Rachel realized she was pouting and forced herself to relax. She had to stop feeling sorry for herself. And stop being mopey, like Madison had said. She lifted her yes to the dance floor, surprised when she saw Justin and Madison amidst the throng of people, their bodies dangerously intimate, bumping and grinding, as they grooved to the beat of Next's Too Close.

          "Too close is right," Rachel said aloud to herself as she got to her feet. As she made her way to the stairs leading down to the dance floor, the music changed to a remixed version of the guys' very first single I Want You Back. As she reached the last step, she nearly bumped into Justin.

          "Rach! Are you enjoying the party?"

          Rachel's hazel-green eyes searched for Madison. "Yeah, sure. Where's Maddy?"

          "Oh, she's around...somewhere," he said vaguely. "You wanna dance?" Rachel frowned at him. She was sure Madison told everyone she never danced. She was about to decline when Madison rushed up next to Justin.

          "Boo! You're up. Good, you're saving me a walk. I was about to come and get you. Ooh, watch out." She tugged Rachel's arm, pulling her down from the last step to let Virgil, one of the guys' big, burly bodyguards pass. Madison nudged Justin when she spotted Chris.

          "Chris!" Justin sprung to Chris. He jolted, startled when he saw Justin. "How are ya, bro?"

          Chris scoffed and rolled his chocolate brown eyes. "Two people spilled their drinks on me and some chick was coming on to me until she realized I wasn't Howie Dorough from the Backstreet Boys. How would you be doing?"

          Justin tried to smile without it looking like he was laughing at his friend. "Uh...better when my best friend told me I'm better-looking than Howie Dorough?"

          Chris frowned. "What?"

          "Nothing. Hey, have you met Mad's friend Rachel?"

          "No. Maddy's here? No wonder you're in such a good mood," Chris muttered, mostly to himself, as Justin walked him back to the girls, who were deep in a hushed conversation.

          "Why were you dancing with him like that, Bug?"

          "Oh, come on. You know I've always had a-hi!"

          Justin playfully bowed at them. "Ladies. Rach, may I introduce you to Mr. Christopher Kirkpatrick? We call him Chris. And you can do this." Justin glared at Madison when she pinched his side. "Chris Kirkpatrick, this is Mads' best friend, Rachel Valentine."

          Chris, still miffed at being mistaken for a rival boy bander, set his lips in the smile he used when he didn't feel particularly press friendly. But when his eyes rested on the blonde-haired, green-eyed goddess standing in front of him, the "press" smile melted into something more like a goofy grin.

"Hi, I'm Chris," he said holding out his hand.

          Rachel couldn't breathe. Chris Kirkpatrick was actually standing in front of her, holding out his hand to her, looking at her with those impossibly gorgeous eyes, a funny smile on his face. She blinked at Madison when she jabbed an elbow into her ribs. She let out what sounded like a nervous chuckle and grinned at Chris.

"Hi." She slipped her hand in his; tiny, where his was large, chilly, where his was warm. He turned his wrist and brought her hands to his lips. She felt the heat rush from her hand to her cheeks. Did her heart just skip a beat? Did that really happen outside of fairytales and romance novels?

          "Nice to meet you," Chris said so softly she didn't hear him say it, but read his lips.

          Justin and Madison watched the whole scene, with differing reactions: she was surprised, he was indifferent. They both glanced back and forth between Chris and Rachel, as if they were watching a tennis match.

          "Um, yeah, we'll, uh...leave you guys alone." Justin gripped Madison's wrist. "Come on, Mads, you owe me a slow dance." Madison, her bottom lip caught between her teeth in a smile, allowed him to drag her back to the dance floor as she tried to keep Rachel and Chris in her sight.

          "So you're Maddy's best friend?" Chris asked as he and Rachel stood awkwardly together by the staircase.

          She nodded. "Yeah." Her gaze shifted constantly, roaming the club. Bit it had nothing to do with disinterest. The pictures on her walls and in all the magazines did Chris Kirkpatrick no justice. In person, the five-foot-nine singer gave guys like Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise a run for their money. At least, in her opinion.

          "That's cool." Chris watched her, grinning at the way she avoided looking directly at him. He'd have taken offense had he not noticed the way she shifted her weight from the toes to the heels of her feet every few seconds and the way she gnawed on her bottom lip.

          "Yeah..." she repeated.

          He couldn't help but chuckle. "I guess you two aren't very much alike." That brought those beautiful eyes back to his.

          "What do you mean?"

          "Well...Madison, she's very outgoing and charming. Kinda like Justin; she's just on of those people you're drawn to." Rachel's heart sank. They always went for Madison; with her exotic half-Korean features and bright commercial-perfect smile. "I've always wondered when those two would come to their senses and hook up already. But you...," he set his gaze on hers. "You're really shy and quiet...but sweet."

          Rachel smiled and blushed, only adding to the softness of her face.

          "Boo, we gotta go." Madison rushed to Rachel's side, gripping her forearm. Rachel reluctantly took her eyes from Chris.

          "Huh? Why?"

          "Ange. Dork brain forgot to tell us she had a curfew for eleven. Not a big deal; except its eleven forty-five and her dad won't stop calling her because she's been late for two curfews in the last week and a half."

          "Oh...um...okay" Rachel looked at Chris and shrugged a shoulder. "Well, it was nice meeting you, Chris. Sorry we couldn't-"

          Chris grinned. "Yeah, me too. Hey, maybe-"

          "Come on, Boo! Bye, Chris!" Madison tugged hard on Rachel's arm, toward the door and Rachel looked one last time back at Chris.

Chapter Three

          Rachel ran a damp cloth across the tiled counter. She hated working slow nights, especially during the last month of school. It was slower than usual, so she worked at the ice cream parlor alone. She glanced up at the clock, grateful she could turn that ‘Yes, We're Open!' sign over in just ten minutes. She grabbed a miniature plastic white spoon from a nearby cup, for taste tests, and spooned up some cookie dough ice cream.

          She had just popped the spoon into her mouth when she heard the bells hanging over the door jingle as someone entered the parlor. Embarrassed, she quickly turned away and swallowed the ice cream.

          "Hi, welcome to-" Rachel stopped dead in her tracks when she found Chris approaching the counter. "Chris. Um, hi."

          He knew popping up on her like this would surprise her and found pleasure in putting the rosy bloom on her cheeks. "Hi."

          "How did you-why are you-what are you doing here?" She nudged the bill of her uniform cap up, mortified that he was seeing her in the hideous required outfit.

          He smiled widely at her. She probably thought she looked a mess, but she was as beautiful as he remembered her from the club two months before. He shrugged casually. "I felt like some ice cream."

          She chuckled softly. "How did you know I worked here?"

          "Maddy." Rachel nodded and thought she must have looked like a tomato about now. Duh, you idiot. "We're in town for a few days, so I bribed Justin into calling her for me and finding out what you were up to tonight." Rachel tried to ignore the flutter in her chest. He had his best friend call her best friend and asked about her? How cute was that? "So when are you done here?"

          "Um..." Rachel turned around to look at the clock. "I start closing up in, like, five minutes." She looked at him nervously. "So...did you want something?" She motioned to the display of ice cream between them.

          Chris' lips curved again. "A date."

          Rachel's perfectly shaped eyebrows drew together. "Huh? A wha-I'm sorry, did you say a...?"

          "I want a date. With you," he said confidently.

          Rachel stared, open-mouthed. Why did she always feel like she couldn't breathe when he was looking at her with those big brown eyes? "You-you want to go out with me?"

          "Yeah. Is that okay?"

          Her eyes darted from side to side before settling on him." I guess so."

          "Great. So tomorrow, seven o'clock?"

          Her shoulders lifted and she half-smiled. "Um, okay."

          Yes! Chris held his smile and retained himself from jumping up and down. "Okay. So I'll see-I'll come by-I'll see you tomorrow." Shit, he was stuttering. She had him stuttering. Who was the last girl to do that to him? He turned on his heel and headed to the door. He had pulled it open when he remembered something. "Oh! Rach-ooh!"

          Rachel leaped back as Chris swung around. "I-I-I was just going to lock the door behind you," she said pointing a shaky finger at the door.

          "Oh...I was just going to ask you for your number." Rachel giggled quietly and provided him her number as he whipped out his cell phone. "Thanks. So...can I call you later?"

          She blushed again. "Yeah, I guess. I mean...sure."

          Chris smiled softly and touched his fingertips lightly to her pink cheek. "You're beautiful when you blush."

Rachel's lips parted, ready to speak when Chris leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. Overwhelmed and surprised, Rachel pressed a hand to his chest pushing him away as she took a step back. "I'm sorry."

          Chris pressed his fingers to his warm lips. "Don't be. I shouldn't have done that."

          "No, it was okay." His eyes flicked quickly to hers. "It's just...um..." she nervously slipped a finger into the collar of her shirt, tugging on it. "Do you know how old I am?"

          A corner of his mouth curved. "No."

          "I'm sixteen-I mean I'll be seventeen next week, but..."

          He shrugged. "Okay."

          She stared at him; her eyes impossibly green in the artificial light of the store. "Uh...do you know how old you are?"

          He chuckled. "Yes. I'll be twenty-seven in the fall."

          She waited for him to figure it out, but when he simply smiled at her, she winced slightly. "You do realize the difference, don't you?"

          "Yes, I do. And if it bothers you, you tell me right now and I'll leave you alone. But I want you to know, I don't care how old you are. I like you."

          A smile slowly bloomed on her face. "You do?"

          "I do. All I want is a date, Rachel. Dinner and a movie, maybe some conversation. I just want to get to know you better. Is that cool?"

          She caught her bottom lip between her teeth and nodded. "It's cool."

          He took her hand and, bringing it to his lips, quietly said goodbye.

Chapter Four

          Rachel was in awe of the old-fashioned theatre Chris brought her to. He wasn't digging any of the summer blockbusters out at the moment, so he suggested a showing of It Happened One Night at an old theatre in Hollywood. She marveled at the intricately ornate high ceilings and the classic red velvet drapes that framed the screen, so different from the stadium-seating of the modern theatres.

          Chris laughed out loud at something Clark Gable said to Jean Harlow, attracting Rachel's attention. The smile on his goateed face remained as he tossed a popcorn kernel into his mouth.

          She still got butterflies when she looked at him. It was their fourth date, albeit in nearly three months. But while he was off performing five or six nights a week all over the country, he still managed to call and talk to her just about every night after he had come down from his high.

          Her parents had noticed their only daughter's mind was occupied with something other than the normal summer activities and had begun to question her. How did you explain to your more-square-than-was-normal parents that you were dating-in some way, shape or form-a mega popstar who happened to be nearly a decade older than you? And how did you slip in an honorable mention of his few visible tattoos and several piercings?

          She couldn't. She admitted there was a boy-er, man-involved, but didn't provide any more than that. They wanted to meet him-no, demanded, Rachel corrected. She hadn't yet figured out how to break it to Chris.

          "Babe?" Chris noticed Rachel wasn't looking at the movie and placed a hand on her arm atop the armrest between them.

          "Huh?"

          "You're missing it." He pointed at the screen where Jean Harlow strutted to the side of the road, lifting her skirt to hitch a ride. "Are you okay?" His hand slid down to link fingers with hers.

          She smiled when he took their joined hands and held them to his chest and nodded in answer. Before he could press further, the theatre erupted in laughter, including Rachel, and he returned his attention to the screen.

          "Penny for your thoughts?"

          Rachel was staring out the window as Chris drove off the freeway toward her neighborhood. "Huh?"

          Chris chuckled and, reaching out, turned the soft rock Rachel was so fond of to a lower volume. "What's going on, Rachel? You've been staring off into space all night. What is it: school, work, Maddy?"

          Rachel tucked her wild curls behind her ear as they were tossed in the wind. "No. School doesn't start for another week. Work is, well, work. Mad and I are fine. We haven't seen each other much since you guys got back into town," she said with a smile, thinking of her best friend finally making a move on her longtime crush.

          "So? What is it then?" He reached for her hand in the darkness. "This isn't when you tell me you're dumping me for a younger guy, is it?" he asked, only half-joking. He hid his sigh of relief when Rachel squeezed his hand and laughed.

          "Not in a million years. But...you're right. There has been something on my mind tonight. I just didn't know how to bring it up." She looked at him, resting her head on the headrest, studying him: his dark hair ruffled by the wind, the diamond studs in his ears sparkling when hit by the streetlight and the collar of his shirt popping up in the breeze.

          He snuck a look at her as he rolled the car to a stop at a red light. "Well? Do I have to guess what it is?"

          "Mmm...my parents."

          He looked at her again, the way that made her feel as if he was reading her thoughts. "They want to meet me, huh?"

          Rachel lifted her head and shifted in her seat. "How did you know?"

          Chris smiled and shrugged. "I figure they want to know who it is that's running up your phone bill." She half-smiled. "So what's the big deal? I've met parents before. My girlfriends' parents always love me," he said, releasing her hand as he made a left turn. When she didn't laugh or speak, he glanced at her and almost laughed. Her eyes were wide, her lips in a tight white line. "What, baby? What did I say?"

          "Did-did you just refer to me as your...girlfriend?" Chris kept his eyes straight ahead. "Chris?" When he didn't answer again, she thumped her fist against his arm. "Christopher!"

          "Ow! Hey, I'm driving here!"

          "Well, answer me."

          "Yes, okay? Yes, I referred to you as my girlfriend. Is that so bad?" She settled back into her seat. "Look, I know we've only seen each other in person, like half a dozen times in, what, five months. But we talk every day, just about. And, babe, sometimes things get so crazy with the guys and the group, the road and everything..." She frowned at the way he gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles went white.

          "Your voice is the only thing that gets me through it," he finished.

          "Pull over," she demanded after a short silence.

          Chris' eyes flashed to hers. "What?"

          "Pull over."

          "Babe, I'm almost at your street."

          "Pull over," she said again. Chris flicked his eyes up to look in the rearview mirror and, as quickly as was possible, maneuvered his vintage black 1969 Camero down a dark cul-de-sac and put it in park.

"Now what the he-"

Chris' words were swallowed when Rachel's lips pressed to his and she crawled into his lap. He groaned, but she wasn't sure if it was in protest or pleasure. She held his head in her hands and kept her lips on his until she was settled comfortably, straddling him.

"-Ell did you do that for?" He finished when Rachel finally pulled back.

"Thank you."

"Huh?"

She smiled and pinched his fuzz-covered chin. "Thank you for what you said. It's nice to know I'm important to someone."

Chris cupped her face and pulled her down for another kiss, taking it deeper than she had dared to. She laughed softly against his mouth and broke the kiss, pressing her forehead to his chest, laughing more.

"What? What's so funny?"

"I think you were enjoying that...a lot."

"Uh, yeah! Newsflash, babe: I enjoy kissing females, particularly you."

"No, I mean..." she chuckled and covered her face.

"What?"

She lifted her hazel-green eyes to his and grinning, pointed a finger downward. He looked down and laughed when he realized what it was she was talking about.

"Sometimes I forget how innocent you are. Yes, my sweet, kissing you turns me on."

She pouted slightly. "I'm not that innocent. It's just the first time I've ever felt one. You know? This close."

Chris rubbed his hands up and down her thighs. "If it's any consolation, this isn't the first one I've had when I was with you."

"Oh, my god!" Rachel's hands flew to mouth.

"No, no, no, no, don't do that." Chris took her hands from her mouth. "One of the things I love the most about you, Rachel, is how mature you are for your age. Please don't regress on me because of a silly thing like a hard-on." He saw her eyes widen at the term and decided to change the subject, for his sake as much as hers. "So, your parents?"

She jerked back in surprise.

"When do they want to meet me?"

Rachel checked her watch. She still had an hour left until her curfew. And she was sure her dull parents were sitting in the living room pretending to watch a rerun of some old show on Nick at Nite, waiting for her to return home from her date. "How does tonight work for you?"

Drew's eyes went wide. "Tonight? Don't I at least get a twenty-four hour notice? What about my piercings?" He pointed a finger at his ears. "And my hair? You don't think they'll get a little weirded out by this?" He grabbed at his hair which he had recently had done in dark braids.

Rachael shrugged. "You have a baseball cap in the back...and maybe you could just take out the studs for the moment?"

Chris sighed and, gripping her by the hips, lifted her off his lap and moved her toward her seat. "Let's get this over with."

Chapter Five

          "So? How'd it go?" Madison dropped her lunch tray to the table with a loud smack and slid onto the bench across from Rachel and Angela.

          "How'd what go?" She asked between nibbles of her burrito.

          "Chris met her parents," Madison explained. Angela nearly choked. Rachel patted her on the back then returned to her untouched cafeteria food.

          "I thought it went well. He was really polite and made sure not to touch me. He even called them ‘sir' and ‘ma'am.'"

"Did they freak out about his hair and his piercings?" Angela asked.

Rachel shook her head. "He put on a hat and he took out his earrings."

Madison eyed her friend. "Why do I get the feeling there's a big but coming up?"

"I don't know. Why do you?" Madison rolled her eyes and flipped her hair, recently layered and trimmed, over her shoulder, then settled her eyes on Rachel. She sighed. "They thought he was nice, but too old for me. And I even lied about his age."

"How old did you tell them he was?" Angela asked.

"Twenty," she replied, a guilty look on her face. When her friends said nothing, she shrugged it off. "I don't know. I think they think it's just a summer fling and now that school's back in session, we'll like, drift apart. Or something parent-y stupid like that."

"Is that what you think?" Madison questioned before sipping from her large Diet Coke.

Rachel cupped her chin in her hand, smiled softly, almost dreamily, and shook her head. "Hell no. I can't wait to see him again. He just makes me feel-I don't know. He doesn't treat me like a little kid, like everyone else."

Angela discreetly made a face and pushed her empty tray away. "So when will you see him again?"

"Well, they have a short break from the tour in a couple of weeks and they'll be in L.A. for about four days." Rachel crossed her arms on the table.

"For what?"

"They're performing at a benefit, attending an awards show and JJ, Joey and I believe Lance, want to go to the Out of Sight premiere," Madison answered promptly.

Angela sent a curious gaze across the table and Rachel hid her smile by chomping on a barbecue chip. "How did you know that?"

Madison's crystal green eyes twinkled. So far the only people who knew about her and Justin were the other guys and Rachel. It was hard dating a popstar, especially one who was always rumored to be dating young, beautiful starlets.

"Okay, pinkie swear not to tell." She reached across the table, her pinkie aimed at Angela. Angela glanced at Rachel who raised a shoulder in response. Curious, she stretched out her hand and linked her pinkie to Madison's. "I am unofficially dating JJ."

A loud gasp escaped from Angela as she stared at Madison. Rachel would have laughed, but stared in disbelief at her best friend. "Wait, wait, wait. What do you mean ‘unofficially'?"

"Well..." Madison pulled her hand back. "We've known each other since we were kids, you know? We've seen each other with other people and I think one of the things that make us such great friends is that I don't treat him like ‘Justin Timberlake.' He's just JJ to me. And we both agreed to just take things slow. See how they go. I mean, he's off gallivanting across the country, gyrating his hips at any pretty little thing that'll look and I'm here...going to school."

Rachel narrowed her eyes. "So define unofficial for me."

Madison made a face at Rachel. "For JJ and me, it means if we meet someone else we might be interested in seeing, we can go for it. And when he comes back into town, I'm all his."

"But will he be all yours?"

"Angie!" Rachel yelled.

"What? Look, from the eyes of any red-blooded female our age, you guys are leading a pretty charmed life. You're dating two guys who just happen to be in the hottest band at the moment." Rachel and Madison exchanged amused glances. "But realistically, it's a sucky situation because while you two sit at home going to football games and pep rallies and studying for pop quizzes, they're going to award shows and movie premieres-" Angela said looking directly at Madison, "-and studying the bodies of pop stars."

"Thanks, Buzz Kill. Any other aspects of our lives you'd like to run through the garbage disposal?" Madison frowned, distorting her pretty face.

"I am just making sure that you understand what you are getting yourselves into."

"You're wrong."

Angela and Madison's eyes shifted to Rachel, at the hard, short tone of her voice. She nodded at Madison. "I can't speak for Justin, because I don't know him well enough, but..." she looked at Angela, "I know Chris.  And he isn't out with anyone else. He cares about me. If he didn't, he wouldn't call me every night after every performance and talk until he fell asleep. He wouldn't bother taking me to his favorite restaurant to try his favorite dish or to stay up late the night before he had to catch an early plane so he could meet my parents or take me miniature golfing because he knows I love it. Or listen to soft rock when all he wants to listen to is Busta Rhymes."

Madison saw the heat come into Rachel's cheeks and sat up straighter. "Um...Boo..."

"If all he wanted from me was a quick screw, he would've tried a long time ago instead of being a perfect gentleman on every date we've been on."

"Rach..."

"So next time you want to make us understand, why don't you try being a little supportive instead of bringing us down...friend." Rachel slung her book bag over her shoulder and jumped up, carrying her lunch tray to the nearest trash receptacle. Angela stared, wide-eyed at Madison, who shrugged and got to her feet to follow Rachel, catching her as she headed to the parking lot.

"Boo." She tugged on Rachel's arm as she stopped reluctantly. "What the hell was that?"

Rachel crossed her arms. "She pissed me off."

"Yeah, I got that. Why?"

She lowered her gaze to her feet, kicking at the gravel. "Chris said the guys have been giving him a hard time lately and not always in a funny way."

"Oh."

"Particularly JC. Apparently, he's not too jazzed about me being..." she rolled her eyes. "Jailbait."

"Ew, harsh."

"Yeah, tell me about it." Rachel blew out a breath. "Listen, tell Ange I'm sorry. I just didn't expect everyone to take this so badly."

"But you understand why, right? I mean, I love Chris, he's always been cool with me, but I wouldn't be a very good best friend if I didn't tell you there is a small part of me that worries, too."

Rachel moved her shoulders. "And just what is it that everyone is so frickin' worried about?"

Madison frowned. "Don't get defensive with me, Rachel. I don't want to see either of you get hurt."

Rachel looked away. "Do me a favor and take notes in Geometry," she said walking around Madison.

"Wait, where are you going?"

Rachel stopped to look back. "Home. I just can't deal with all of this right now."

"Boo-"

"I'll be fine!" Rachel yelled over her shoulder as she made her way to her car.

Chapter Seven

          "Details. Now."

          Rachel jolted, looking up from the book she was reading as Madison burst through her bedroom door and leaped onto her king-sized bed. "Hi, Bug. How'd you get in?"

          Madison groaned in annoyance and rolled her eyes. "Back door was open. Tell me!" She snatched up the mystery novel Rachel still held open, dog-eared the page and tossed it onto the nightstand. Rachel brought her knees up to her chest, resting her chin on them and blushed.

          "I can't."

          "You can't? Why not?"

          "Because..." her face reddened more as she shifted uncomfortably. "It's really personal, intimate, private information."

          Madison comically rolled her eyes again. "I'm not asking for a detailed description or a play-by-play here, Boo."

          Rachel frowned. "What's a play-by-play?"

          "It's a-nothing. So?"

          Rachel shrugged. "So, what are you asking for?"

          "Feelings, emotions," she replied, exaggerating her facial expressions and pressing her joined hands to her heart for emphasis. "You're the first one to go all the way. I just want to know. How did it feel?"

          "It felt..." Rachel smiled and flexed her bare toes. "Wonderful."

          Madison squealed, as teenage girls often do, and she grabbed Rachel's hands, giving them a quick squeeze. "Happy birthday, Chris Kirkpatrick!" Madison laughed again when Rachel covered her beet red face. "Do you feel different?" Rachel nodded. "You look different."

          Rachel's eyes went wide and her smile disappeared. "I do? Noticeably?"

          Madison shrugged. "You have that disgustingly happy look." Rachel laughed softly and shyly. "So...now what?"

          "What do you mean?"

          "I don't know. I said you were the first. You're in uncharted territory now. Its like, you've had sex with him, now what?"

          "Why don't you just post it on the six o'clock news, Bug? I don't think they heard you down the street," Rachel quipped at Madison's careless tone.

          She smiled sheepishly. "Sorry."

          "Anyway...I guess the next thing is that he kinda sorta maybe asked me if I would kinda sorta maybe go on tour with him this summer."

          Madison's jaw dropped. "You lucky bitch! That's so cool! When do you leave?"

          Rachel inhaled. "Um..."

          "You are going, aren't you?"

          "I want to. There's just one teensy weensy little problem." She held up her thumb and forefinger, barely touching.

          "What? The tour bus isn't made out of fourteen karat gold?"

          Rachel laughed mockingly. "No. If I went I'd have to tell my parents."

Madison shrugged nonchalantly. "So?"

Rachel twisted her mouth. "So...they don't really know that I'm still seeing Chris."

Madison kept her eyes on Rachel's as her chin lowered. "How can they not know? Where do you tell them you're going when he comes into town?"

"The mall, the library...your house," she muttered under her breath.

Madison frowned. "Because it's you and I love you, I'm going to forget that. Now...why don't they know about you and Lucky?" She asked.

"What do you mean ‘why'? You know they don't approve."

"So what? Have you forgotten what incredibly awesome event is going to happen in seven months?"

"Graduation?"

Madison looked at the ceiling. "The other incredibly awesome event."

"My birthday?"

"Yes!" Madison exclaimed making Rachel jump back. "You're eighteenth birthday, Boo! After that day, you're parents can't tell you what to do anymore. Legally, you are an adult and completely capable of making your own decisions. And it's only for the summer. If you are going to tell them, just assure them that at the end of the summer you'll still be going off to Berkley with me. Right?" Madison smiled eagerly at Rachel. "Right?" she repeated when Rachel didn't agree right away. "Boo!"

Rachel jumped up from the bed, nervously bouncing from foot to foot and fidgeting with her fingers. "Keep your voice down."

"No." Madison turned to face Rachel and scooted to the edge of the bed so she could plant her feet on the plush blue carpet. "What's going on?"

"Nothing." Rachel began to pace the area between her bed and her dresser that she had had since she was five years old. "It's just that I've been doing some thinking."

"Wonderful," Madison said sarcastically.

Rachel stopped dead in front of her. "Do you want to hear this or not?"

Madison's back went ramrod straight at Rachel's tone. She was usually soft spoken and rarely raised her voice to Madison, often considered ‘the loud one.' "Go ahead."

"After the summer, there are two things that can happen." She held up a hand and counted off on her fingers. "One, Chris and I have a great summer in Europe for a couple of months, he continues on, I come home and go off to college with you and he and I embark on a difficult, but rewarding, long distance relationship. Wait ‘til I'm done," Rachel ordered when Madison opened her mouth to respond.

"Or, two, we make the best of the summer, both of us knowing that when I go off to San Francisco and he's in Europe-where the girls are much bolder, I might add-there isn't a chance in hell our relationship can survive and we...we break up." She stopped and stared, miserably, at her best friend. "Well?"

"I'm sorry, am I allowed to speak now?" Rachel planted her hands on her hips. Madison rose and placed her hands on Rachel's shoulders. "Okay, first of all, have you talked to Chris about any of this?" When Rachel shook her head no, Madison squeezed her shoulders. "You might want to do that before you even think of mentioning any of this to Rob and Ellen."

Rachel nodded again, silently. Madison dropped her hands to her sides.

"I can't tell you what'll happen, Boo. I totally think you should go on tour with the guys cause it's a once in a lifetime kind of thing."

Rachel sensed the hesitation in Madison's tone. "But...?"

Madison crossed her arms over her stomach and blew out a breath. "If you go, it will be a huge step in your relationship. I'm talking ‘make or break' here. Now, it may be that you two are meant to be and nothing can change it. Or-and this is the part where I worry-you'll go and realize why it is that everyone from your parents to JC to Angela are so concerned about you two being together. Touring is not an easy life, Boo. When they're on the road, I barely hear from JJ. That's why they don't have girlfriends. Except JC, but that's something entirely different from you and Chris."

"Different how?"

Madison shook her head. "Nothing, just something JJ and I noticed. But do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Yes, I do," Rachel nodded as she lowered to the bed again. "Bug, let me ask you...if Justin asked you-"

"I'd go in a heartbeat," she answered quickly, plopping down on the bed as well. Rachel smiled. "But, again, it's different with me and JJ."

"How so?"

"We've known each other practically our whole lives, Boo. I told you: he's not Justin Timberlake: popstar. To me he's just plain old JJ, the curly-haired kid from down the street who used to put tadpoles in my juice box and lizards down my shirt." They both laughed. "Believe it or not, this transition from childhood pal to girlfriend hasn't been easy."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Bug." Rachel ran a hand up and down Madison's arm. "What's the deal?"

Madison shrugged a shoulder. "Sometimes he gets a little weird and I don't recognize him. It's like he's trying to live up to that image people have of him. And then he remembers he's with me and...its back to JJ and Mads. I don't know..." she waved off her words. "I love him and I know he loves me, but..."

"But what?" Rachel hurt for her friend. Madison had always been a pretty girl, made friends easily and had always had it easy when it came to the opposite sex. So it was odd and a little uncomfortable for her to hear the insecurity in her usually over-confident friend.

"But nothing. We'll see."

They fell into silence, both girls reflecting on their respective relationships, until Madison shook her head, as if shaking away the thoughts, and got to her feet.

"This is depressing. Come on, let's get outta here. I told Angie we'd go see the new Brad Pitt flick with her."

"Which one?"

"Uh, Meet Joe Black or something like that."

"Okay." Rachel got to her feet and padded to the closet to slip on a pair of flip-flops and pull out a jacket. She snatched up her purse, hanging off the back of her desk chair, then joined Madison at her open bedroom door. "Hey, don't mention any of this to Angie, okay?"

"Okay, but why?"

"Chris doesn't think she likes him very much."

Madison rolled her eyes. "Angie doesn't like anyone very much. She's a bitch."

"Maddy!"

Chapter Eight

          "Where are you taking me?" Rachel was sitting in Chris' Camero, a blindfold over her eyes. And she was getting peeved. She hadn't seen Chris in over a month and the first thing he did was put a black bandana over her eyes.

          "I told you, it's a surprise."

          She huffed and crossed her arms. "I had better be getting my Christmas present early, Christopher."

          Chris turned his eyes back to the road and formed an ‘O' with his mouth. "Using the full name. You must be pissed. The surprise isn't your present, but I do have one for you."

          "Have I told you how much I dislike blindfolds?"

          "Since the moment I put it on you," he said cheerily. He smiled, despite himself, when she pouted.

          "Are we going up a hill?"

          He nodded, forgetting she couldn't see. "Possible."

          "Chris..." she nearly whined.

          "Babe, chill. We're almost there."

          "Fine." Rachel reached out feeling for the volume knob on the radio and cranked it up as Celine Dion belted about her heart going on. Chris rolled his eyes and stepped on the gas. He finally pulled the car to a stop and shut off the radio. "We're here," he announced before exiting the car.

          "Can I take off this thing?"

          "No." Rachel jumped when Chris spoke from the open passenger window. "Sorry. Okay, take my hand." He opened the door and took her hand, helping her from the car.

          "Where are we?"

          "You'll see." She let him lead her, walking over grass and quickly came to a stop. "Ready?" Chris untied the bandana and removed it from Rachel's eyes. Her jaw dropped when she saw the large white mansion before her and that she was standing in the middle of a circular driveway.

          "Wow...Chris, it's beautiful." She looked at him. "Whose is it?"

          He grinned. "Mine."

          She blinked. "Huh?"

          He stepped forward, standing next to her to face the house. "It's mine. I just bought it."

          "That ginormous house is yours?"

          He held up his hands. "Surprise." She laughed and he slipped an arm around her shoulders. "No more living out of hotels. I figured since I spend all my free time here with you, I might as well have a comfortable place to sleep." He turned his head to look at her and was surprised to find her frowning. "What?"

          "I won't be here in the fall."

          He ran the back of his hand across her cheek. "I know, babe. But this is still an important place for us-the guys and me. I mean, we record most of our stuff here, some of our bigger shows are here and nearly everyone's family is here."

          "Any of the other guys getting a house here?"

          "No, not yet." He ran a finger down her other cheek and touched her nose. "J's looking into it. But JC will be based out of New York because that's where Olivia is. They're engaged officially now, by the way."

          She grinned. "I read."

          "So you want to see the inside?" He asked excitedly. Rachel nodded vigorously and he took her hand, running across the driveway, up a small set of steps and pulled her into the house. The foyer was large and tiled with black and white tiles and had a large crystal chandelier hanging above it with a winding staircase leading to the upper two floors.

          "Wow..." Rachel repeated spinning a slow circle beneath the chandelier. "Chris, it's gorgeous. How many bedrooms are there?"

          "Uh, five, I think. One for each of the guys to stay in when they visit." He laughed at his own joke. "Come on, I want to show you something." He took her hand again and pulled her up the stairs.

          "I love this staircase."

          "Me, too!" Chris led her down a long hallway and they passed empty room after empty room. He finally stopped at the end of the hallway in front of closed double doors. "Okay. This is the master bedroom; my room."

          Rachel's eyes narrowed. "There isn't a bed on the other side of these doors is there?"

          He smirked. "There's a mattress I've been crashing on, but that's not why I brought you up here."

          "Oh, okay. So...?" Chris turned the knobs on both doors and pushed them open, revealing an intimate picnic for two set up on the floor of the room in front of a lit fireplace. The only furniture in the room was indeed a mattress plopped against the wall. "Aw, Chris..." Rachel stepped into the room. She turned and wrapped her arms around his waist when he came closer. "You're such a romantic." He bent his head and kissed her. "Thank you. This isn't my present is it?"

          He laughed with gusto. "No. You'll get it later. Wanna see the view?" Before she could answer he led her to the balcony overlooking a scenic view of Hollywood and Los Angeles. She stepped up to the railing and inhaled as the chilly December breeze flushed her cheeks and she watched the sun set. Chris stepped up behind her, trapping her between the railing and his body. She leaned back against his chest, basking in the warmth of his arms when he slipped them around her waist. She turned in his arms and they simply looked at each other; their eyes roaming over each others faces. Chris's lip curved slightly when he touched his forefingers to the new third studs in each of her ears.

          "I wish everyone knew how good you are to me."

          He hooked his thumbs into the belt loops at her hips. "And ruin my reputation as a badass. Pshh!" She rolled her eyes away then back to his and he watched her fade away into her thoughts. "Stop it." She blinked and focused on him again. "Things will work out just fine. You'll see."

          "How do you do that?" He raised his eyebrows in question. "You always know what I'm thinking or what I'm going to say before I say it."

          "That's normal for people in love."

          Her lips parted. "You're in love with me?"

          He chuckled. "Where have you been the last seven months, Rachel? My credit cards are maxed out from flying out here every chance I get. My cell phone bill is bigger than Lance's car payment for his new Benz-okay, that's an exaggeration, but you know what I mean. And I don't care about any of it, babe." He took her face in his hands. "Because as long as I get to see you and talk to you, I'm the happiest fucker in the world."

          "Christopher," she playfully scolded.

          "What I mean is...Rach, if you asked me to give it all up tomorrow, I would."

          Her fingers curled around his wrists. "I would never ask you to do that. But I appreciate the sentiment because I know how much music and the group and the guys mean to you." She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. "I can't go on tour with you," she said against his lips.

          Chris paused, slowly pulled back. "Way to kill the moment, babe."

          "I'm sorry."

          "Why?" She looked confused. "Why can't you come on the tour?"

          She sighed and removed herself from his arms, walking back into the bedroom. Chris followed. "It sounds weird, given that we've, you know, slept together, but...um...I'm not really comfortable sharing a bunk with you with, I don't know, Lance above us and Justin across from us. You know what I mean?"

          Chris nodded and stepped further into the room, nearer to her. "Actually, Lance is across, Joey's above."

          "That doesn't help."

          He chuckled. "I know and I understand. It's actually why Olivia doesn't come out with us much...at all." He reached out and tugged on the pocket of her hoodie. "I just wish I could convince you not to worry about it and come anyway."

          "You're not mad?"

          "No, of course not, babe," he pulled her close again. "Just...bummed."

          She gripped the flaps of his jacket, toying with the buttons. "I've been saving all of my money, so I can fly out to different stops." He nodded in agreement, but she knew he thought it wasn't enough. Because she knew it wasn't enough either. "I'm...I wish I could get past this, Chris." He pulled her close and she pressed her mouth to his shoulder, inhaling his scent. "I wish there was a way we could be together."

          Chris pulled Rachel back. "Maybe there is."

          She shook her head. "What?"

          "Marry me." Rachel blinked and her lips parted, ready to speak. "Don't say ‘huh,'" Chris warned.

          She scoffed. "I wasn't going to. I was...I was going to say yes."

          Chris stared and swallowed before saying, "You were? Really?"

          She nodded. "I love you, Chris. I don't want to be with anyone else."

          He smiled. "Me neither." They looked at each other, holding each other at arms' length, smiling and on the verge of laughter. They both gave in and laughing, Rachel jumped into Chris's arms as he swung her around the empty room. She pulled back for a kiss and he set her on the ground again. "When? When do we do this?"

          Rachel exhaled. "June."

          Chris frowned. "June, like in six months June?"

          She nodded. "Yes, after I turn eighteen." Her fingers curled into his jacket at his upper arms. "Then my parents can't do anything about it. But we can't say anything to anyone ‘til then."

          "What?"

          "We can't tell anyone."

          His eyes narrowed. "No one? You're not even going to tell Maddy?"

          She shook her head. "Not Maddy, especially not JC or any of the guys." Chris sighed and released his hold on her. Rachel gripped his jacket tighter to keep him in front of her. "Chris, if we do, all they're going to do is try to stop us or talk us out of it. And I don't want to hear it. I just-I want to be your wife and be with you." He kept his eyes on her as he thought it through. "And if we keep it between us, we can eliminate any rumors. You haven't even acknowledged that you're dating me and I don't want you to get flack because I'm only seventeen."

          Chris cupped her shoulders. "Rachel, stop. I understand what you're saying. And I agree with all of it. It's going to be hard keeping this from the guys. They're my best friends-especially JC cause I've known him the longest, next to Joey, and he'll have a fit when he does hear. But if this is the way you want it and it's going to make you happy, I'll do whatever you want. Because I'll tell you right now, babe...the minute you let me, I'm shouting it to the world!"

Chapter Nine

          JC had a bad feeling. He wasn't one to be intuitive or sense impending doom, but today seemed different. It started the night before when he got the call that Chris wanted to meet with everyone. He couldn't say why he had this feeling. Everything else was going good right now. The tour was going as planned, selling out every stop across the states. The album was still selling well across all markets. And while he was on the road, Olivia was keeping busy with the wedding plans-although that was causing him a little bit of stress as she was insisting on getting the most expensive of everything. And, he admitted to himself only, the fact that they had set the date-September 25, just four months away-had dazed him a bit.

          He shook off the thoughts, reminding himself that he loved his tough but sweet Livvy, as he maneuvered his Jeep into the Hollywood Hills to Chris' house. He marveled at the houses alongside his friend's and fleetingly wished he could look for one himself. But Liv insisted on staying on in New York as all of her friends and family were there, keeping her company when he was away on tour, and her job-she worked at a popular art gallery.

          As JC neared Chris' house, he saw that he was the last one to arrive. The guys had a short break, just four days off, and everyone had taken the first chance in months to spend time with their families. He put the Jeep in park behind Joey's Acura SLX and made his way to the house. He knew the door would be unlocked so he simply let himself in.

          "We're in the living room!" He heard Lance yell.

          "What's up, fuckers?" JC greeted as he   stepped down into the living room where Justin, Joey and Lance were sprawled all over the large black sofa and matching love seats watching a Dodger game on Chris' big screen television.

          "Hey, JC," Chris stepped in from the kitchen and handed a bottle of Bud Light to Joey who had turned twenty-one just four months before and tossed cans of Coke to Justin and Lance. The two friends shook hands and gave each other a quick pat on the back. "Want something to drink?"

          "Nah, I'm cool. House looks good, man," JC said his eyes roaming around the now completely furnished room.

          "Thanks. Rachel's been a big help."

          JC brought his eyes to Chris'. "You let her help you decorate your house?"

          He nodded. "Sure, why not? She's got great taste." He held out his hand to encompass the room.

          "You don't think it'd be a little weird to tell a future girlfriend your ex picked out the couch she's sitting on?"

          Chris looked at JC. He frowned slightly, then grinned. "Why don't you take a seat, C?" JC shrugged and plopped on the sofa next to Justin and the two ensued in an elbow shoving match while Chris nabbed the remote from Joey and clicked off the television.

          "Aw...I was watching that!" Lance moaned.

          "Sorry. JC's here." Chris grabbed the ottoman Joey's feet were on and moved it so he could sit facing the guys. Joey bitched and moaned again at losing his footstool then sat up in the loveseat.

          "Hey, man! What are you, guys-twelve?" Lance screeched to Justin and JC when their shoving spilled over to him.

          "So, what's up, buttercup?" Joey said, making Chris laugh and drawing the others' attention. "Why'd you drag us all here; to show off your girl's taste in furniture?" They all laughed, but JC, who tensely grinned.

          "No, I just have something I needed to share with all of you."

          Lance sat up quickly, gasping dramatically. "Oh, my god. Christopher, are you pregnant?" This time they all really did laugh. "I'm just kidding. What is it?" he asked settling back against the sofa.

          "Um, okay." Chris opened his mouth and laughed anxiously. "Wow...I didn't realize this would be so hard to say." JC frowned at Chris while Justin sat up a little straighter.

          "Just spit it out, yo. I got me a hot date." He laughed and nudged Lance, who rolled his eyes.

          "All right." Chris inhaled deeply. "I've asked Rachel to marry me," he said on his exhaled breath. Silence filled the room. "And she said yes." Chris looked at each of his bandmates, waiting for a reaction.

          "Are you kidding?" JC's voice cut into the silence. All eyes turned to him as he looked fiercely at Chris. "You're fucking joking right?" Chris' head tilted and his brows came together. JC jumped to his feet. "You're insane!"

          Lance sat up. "JC..."

          JC turned his cobalt glare on Lance. "What?" When Lance said nothing, he turned back to Chris. "Chris, you are out of your mind if you think you can do this. She's only seventeen years old, for Christ's sake."

          Chris kept his temper in check. He had expected JC to be upset, but it still surprised him. "I'm well aware of how old my fiancée is, JC. And she'll be eighteen this week. We waited until she was eighteen."

          JC planted his fists on his narrow hips. "Like that makes a damn difference? She's still too young. She's still ten years younger than you."

          "All right!" Chris jumped up from the ottoman, his heated eyes on JC. "Jace, I'm not asking for your permission. We're doing this whether you like it or not. But the time came for me to let you all know about our plans."

          "So what is your plan? What are you gonna do? You're gonna marry her and live happily ever after?"

          "JC, why are you being such a dick?" Justin spoke up, flipping his baseball cap around so the cap wasn't covering his eyes. JC turned on him.

          "Shut up, J! Just because I have the balls to tell Chris the truth-"

          "Hey!" JC looked back at Chris with wide eyes. "You're pissed at me, fine, but don't take it out on him."

          JC raked his hand through his dark wavy hair. "This is ridiculous. Chris, you cannot marry this girl."

          Chris stepped forward. "Give me one good reason why not."

          "One? You want one? I'll give you one: she's a child!" He turned to the others. "Don't any of you have anything to say? Besides Justin," he said when Justin opened his mouth.

          Justin stood from the sofa even when Lance tried to hold him back. "I really have something to say, all right?"

          "Let me guess: you're on Chris' side?"

          Justin frowned hard at him. "There are no sides here, JC. We are one group, one entity and we back each other up. Always...right?" He looked at Lance and Joey. Chris crossed his arms at their silence.

          Joey sighed. "I gotta say..." he shook his head and looked up at Chris. "I kind of agree with C on this, Chris." Chris rubbed at his eyes. "You know I like Rach, man, she's a great girl, but...dude, she's still in high school."

          "She and Maddy graduate next month," Justin offered.

          "Thanks, J," JC said dryly. "Reason number two: she's going off to college, right?"

          "Don't even go there, Jace. There are plenty of colleges all over this city. She's smart enough to get into any one of them." Chris looked at Lance, who had his head buried between his hands. "What about you, Lance?" His head shot up. "You've been pretty quiet. Got something to add to this lively discussion," he deadpanned.

          Lance held out his hands. "If you're happy, man..." Chris grinned softly.

          "That's a lie."

          "What?" Lance frowned at JC.

          "You're lying. You told me you were worried about Chris and where this relationship was going."

          Lance, normally the calmest one, leapt to his feet so quickly everyone jumped. "Don't you dare twist my words to suit you, JC. Yes, I said I worry," he said looking back at Chris. "I worry because I don't want to see you or Rach get hurt. And I worry about you, JC."

          JC lifted shocked eyes to Lance. "Me?"

          "Yes, you. I worry that you're moving too fast with Liv. She's a wonderful person and I know you love her, but you and she haven't been dating all that much longer than Chris has been with Rach. And, I gotta tell ya, there's a lot she's said and done that makes me question why she's with you."

          JC's face twisted into a scowl. "Who the hell are you-?"

          "Don't." Lance pointed a finger at him. "I have the balls to say it to your face, don't I?" JC looked away, trapped by his own words. "Look, the truth is I worry about all of you. JC and Chris...J, I worry about you and Maddy, and Joey with all of your...insignificant others." Joey grinned. "But it's because I love and care about all of you. And all I want is for all of you to be happy."

          Silence filled the room again and no one moved an inch, until Justin fell to the armrest of the sofa. Lance glanced at Chris, leaning an arm on a shelf of the entertainment center that took up one wall of the room. "So when is this wedding supposed to happen?"

          Chris slowly lifted his head. "Uh, ahem, the, uh, twelfth."

          "The twelfth? As in next Saturday from now the twelfth?"

          Chris nodded.

          "How the heck did you pull that off?" Justin questioned, dumbfounded. How could he not have known that one of his best friends was planning a wedding? Chris shrugged sheepishly.

          "When you put your mind to something..."

          Justin grinned. "Nice."

          "Nice?" Justin rolled his eyes to JC. "Nice? I can't belie-Jesus, J, you're as demented as he is," JC barked pointing a hand at Chris. "You, yourself, are barely a few months older than her. She's a teenager. She's a goddamn child!"

          "She's not a child!" Chris shouted. "Goddamn it, JC, you're talking about the woman I love. Yes, I said woman!" He screamed when JC moved to respond. He let out a frustrated huff of breath. "I can't make any of you understand what having Rachel in my life has done for me because its something I can't put into words myself. But of all of you, JC," he paused, waiting for JC to look at him. "I expected you to understand."

          JC clenched his jaw and shook his head. "She is going to get hurt so bad, Chris. You're on the road with us nine, ten months out of the year. She'll be here in this big-ass house by herself. How the hell do you plan on taking care of her?"

          Chris scoffed. "You act as if I'm the first person to do this, C. What about Liv?"

          JC's back went ramrod straight. "What about Liv?"

          Chris took a step forward. "You're going to be on the road right there next to me. Liv's going to be all by herself in New York. Are you going to take care of her?"

          JC glared. "There's a difference."

          "What difference?"

          "Olivia has a life away from me. Olivia has friends. Olivia has a job. Olivia is a fucking adult! Now in three months, Rach is going off to college and she's going to meet all these younger guys who not only have more in common with her, but they're convenient because they're there. What makes you think, with you gone, she'll be faithful?"

          Before anyone could stop him, Chris leapt forward, clutching his fists in JC's shirt and slammed him against the closest wall. Joey jumped to his feet and Lance held out his arms, blocking both Joey and Justin from moving forward. "Because I know that's coming from right here," he jammed a finger into JC's chest above his heart, "I'm going to forgive you. But don't you ever say anything like that about Rachel again." He shoved JC again before stepping back, breathing heavily.

          "I'm getting married next Saturday. And there isn't anything more I want than for the four of you to be there."

          JC pushed himself up and away from the wall and fixed his shirt. "I won't be."

          "Jesus Christ..." Justin mumbled as he fell to the sofa.

          Chris clamped down on his emotions and looked at JC through watery eyes. "I'm not going to beg you. And it hurts me to say this, especially to you, but if you won't be there for me, don't expect me to be there for you." He turned on his heel and climbed the stairs to the second floor. JC's mouth parted and he very nearly took a step after Chris.

          "Good going, JC," Justin said as he passed by him on the way to the front door.

          "What?"

          Justin stopped with the door half-opened. "You may have just caused the breakup of *NSYNC." Lance glanced at JC, who stood immobile and frowning, and said nothing as he walked out of the house after Justin. Joey moved next to JC and laid a hand on his shoulder.

          "Don't listen to him, man."

          JC looked at his friend. "Why not? The goddamn kid is right."

Chapter Ten

          Rachel was enveloped in Madison's arms on her bed, sobbing buckets. She had run to her best friend's house after breaking the news of her impending nuptials to Chris to her parents. And all hell broke loose. Madison rocked her, running a hand over her curls.

          "Come on, Boo, calm down."

          "How can I?" she cried. "God, my parents are so stupid." She pushed away from Madison to blow her nose and wipe her eyes. Madison laid a hand on her arm.

          "Well, sweetie, they are your parents. They're not supposed to like everything you do."

"Besides, you know, he is twenty-seven," Angela, sitting at the edge of the bed facing Rachel and Madison, said with a shrug.

          "So?" she sniffled. "What does that have to do with anything? He's always been older than me."

          "Yeah, but he's ten years older than you."

          "Nine years, seven months, three weeks and three days older," Rachel muttered.

          Angela rolled her eyes. "O-kay..."

          Madison shifted on the bed, moving to her knees to face Rachel. "You really love him, don't you?"

          Rachel turned to Madison fully. "Yes," she said emphatically. "Bug, you don't know how wonderful he is to me. He always puts me first, he's never mean and he's so much more mature than any of the other guys I dated. And I am so...in love with him." Madison smiled and patted Rachel's glowing cheek.

          Angela scoffed. "Oh, come on, Rach. How can you be in love with a guy a decade older than you? What could you possibly have in common?"

          Rachel stared at her. "Shut up, Angie. Look, I know you've never liked Chris, but I do love him and we do have a lot in common. Maybe you just don't get that cause you've never been with anyone longer than five minutes."

          "Hey! Maybe I haven't. But all I'm saying is, maybe your parents are right." Rachel stood from the bed, glaring down at Angela.

          "God, I'm so sick of this. Why can't you just be happy for me?"

          "Because I just don't get what you see in him."

          "Why? Why is that so hard for all of you to believe? Gosh, you know you're just as stupid as my parents."

          Angela jumped to her feet. "Well excuse me for thinking you could do so much better than being a popstar's wife for the rest of your life!" She yelled before running out of Madison's room and Rachel burst into tears. Madison got to her feet and wrapped her arms around her.

          "Boo..."

          "Why is everyone making this so damn hard? Weddings are supposed to be happy and joyful." She pulled back from Madison. "It's supposed to be a celebration of love; our love."

          "I know..." Madison said, unable to think of anything else to say.

          "No, you don't!" Rachel yelled making Madison jump back. "Justin is only a month older than you. You have no idea what I'm going through!"

          "Rach..." Madison watched her run out of her room, crying hysterically. Panicking, she reached for her cell phone.

          "Rach...?"

          Rachel was sitting on a swing, kicking her toes in the sand. She turned and saw the love of her life walking toward her over the grass. "Chris..." New tears filled her eyes as she jumped up and ran into his arms.

          He frowned when her body slammed into his and she held onto him tightly. "What happened, babe?"

          "Everything is a mess," she said resting her chin on his shoulder. "I told my parents and they flipped out. My dad said if I married you..."

          Chris pulled back and rubbed the tears from her face. "If you married me, what...?"

          A tear rolled down her cheek. "They'd disown me. He kicked me out, Chris."

          "He what?"

          She lowered her head, trying to catch her breath. "Before I left...he said if I walked out the door, I shouldn't come back."

          Fuck. She started to cry again and he pulled her close again. "Come here. Its okay, babe. It'll be okay."

          She shoved him back, moving away from his arms. "How can you say that? Chris, my parents have abandoned me. I have no one, nowhere to go."

          He took her by the arms, forcing her to face him as she rubbed her palms over her cheeks. "You have me. You can stay with me. Listen to me," he tugged her hard and she brought her red, watery eyes to his. "I love you. More than-God, more than anything, Rachel. I want to marry you and no one is going to stop me. Not your parents, not the guys."

          "What? What did they say?"

          His grip on her loosened and he sighed heavily. "JC didn't take it so well. And Joey's not too jazzed about it either. JC won't be at the wedding."

          Rachel cupped his cheek. "Oh, babe..."

          "It's okay, he'll come around. We've been through too much; worse than this." He said it, but had to force himself to believe it.

          "This isn't going to affect the group is it? Because, Chris, if it does..."

          "No. You let me handle it."

          "Hey." Her hand moved to his chin and roughly turned his face so she could look into his eyes. "I'm going to be your wife. That means what affects you, affects me and vice versa. You got that?"

          He grinned and took her hand from his chin. "There's my girl." He pulled her close again, pressing his lips to her forehead.

          "How did you know where I was?"

          "Maddy called me. She said you were upset and that you'd be here. She said you always come here when you're upset."

          She nodded. "I do. You know, she's the only one I've got left. Besides you," she said pulling back again.

          "No...you've got Justin and Lance, too. Come on, let's go home." He slipped his hand in hers, linking their fingers and started to lead her back to his car. He walked her to the passenger door and pulled it open. She stopped before getting in and faced him.

          "Are we going to make it through this?"

Chapter Eleven

          Madison was running around like a crazy person. People were starting to file in and fill the seats in the garden behind the small inn. And she was checking to make sure everything was set up in the hall, ready for the reception immediately following the ceremony. After checking with the kitchen and the chef, Madison made her way to Chris' room. When she walked in, she found Chris and Lance in front of a mirror, both of them trying to get Chris' wine-colored tie just perfect.

          "Hey, guys."

          They both turned with wide eyes, a little startled, then chuckled. "Hey, Maddy," Lance said before turning away from Chris to check his hair in the mirror.

          "Hi, Mad. You look nice," Chris said walking over to her and placing a small peck on her cheek. She curtsied in the ankle-length strapless gown that matched his tie and served as her maid-of-honor's dress.

          "Thank you, thank you. I just came to let you know that it's almost time. Guests are arriving," she said before searching the room. "Where's JJ?"

          "His mom called, he went out somewhere where he could get service."

He groaned when his tie came out crooked again. "See? This is why we hired Kennedy," he said over his shoulder to Lance.

          "Ken. She doesn't like to be called Kennedy."

          "Who's Ken?" Madison asked stepping forward to undo Chris' tie. She slipped it around her own neck and went to work tying it.

          "Our new stylist, Kennedy James...well, Ken James. She starts on the Euro leg of the tour. She's cool, graduated from FIDM and we hear from some other people that she's got a really good eye, so we hired her. Plus, she already came up with some cool stuff for our next video. And she's also Lance's date for today." Lance rolled his eyes.

          "Oh, cool. That sounds like a fun job: playing dress-up with five really hot guys for six months." Madison pulled the tie over her head, careful not to mess up the complicated curled and bobby pinned style her mother helped her with and slipped it over Chris' head.

          He laughed at her comment, then raised his eyebrows at she set his tie, perfectly straight at his neck. "Wow. Where'd you learn to do that?"

          She looked up at him and smiled softly, lighting up her crystal eyes. "I have a very nice daddy."

          Chris grinned back. "Is my gift for Rach here?"

          Madison linked her fingers behind her back and nodded. "Right in the front row."

          "Awesome."

          "Take care of her."

          Chris paused at the tone of Madison's voice. He angled his head and smiled, showing no teeth. "I plan to."

          "Good. Because if you don't, no one will hurt you like I will."

          Chris wanted to laugh, but had never seen Madison so serious. He patted her arm. "I know that threat comes from a place of love, Maddy, but you really don't have to worry."

          She shrugged, nonchalantly. "I know. But as the bride's best friend and maid-of-honor it's my duty to threaten the groom." He chuckled softly and she smiled widely. "See you in a bit." Madison left the room and was turning a corner at the end of the hall when Justin came speeding toward her.

          "Oh! Hey, baby." He stopped and stared with his jaw hanging open. "Wow. You look gorgeous."

          Madison giggled and let him pull her close and kissed his lips. "Flattery will get you everywhere."

          "What are you doing? Got time to pop into my room?"

          "JJ!" She smacked his arm. "No. It's almost time to start. I have to go check on Rach." She pulled back from him and started to walk away, but he caught her hand.

          "Hey...you've looked out there. Any sign of JC or Joey?" Madison lifted a shoulder and shook her head. Justin sighed and, keeping her hand in his, fell back against the wall. "Damn. I really thought I got through to Joey."

          "I'm sorry, honey."

          He shook his head. "If you ask me, the only reason JC isn't here at this point is because of Olivia."

          Madison stepped closer. "Olivia? What do you mean?"

          "Don't say anything, but...Joey told me JC and she got into this huge fight when she found out Chris and Rach would be married before them. She even threatened to call some magazine and tell them where the wedding was going to be."

          "Are you serious?"

          "Yeah, I know. I guess JC was able to talk her out of it, but I think he's not here now because she'd get pissed."

          "Do you think he's making a mistake marrying her?"

          "Chris?"

          "No!" Madison said on a laugh. "JC."

          Justin shrugged. "What do I know? My parents have three marriages between them. Whatever makes them happy makes me happy." He leaned over and pressed his lips to hers again. When she tried to break the kiss, he tugged hard on her hand to keep her in place and she laughed against his mouth.

          "I have to go check on Rach, JJ."

He pouted playfully and reluctantly loosened his hold. "Okay. Hey..." he tugged one last time. She sighed, exasperated, and raised her eyebrows expectantly. "I love you."

Her face softened, her eyebrows lowering and she gave his hand a quick squeeze. "Back at ya."

Madison walked into Rachel's room, surprised at how quiet it was and that she didn't see a bride anywhere. "Boo? Are you in here?"

Rachel opened the bathroom door and floated out, smiling from ear to ear. "I'm here."

Madison felt the tears come into her eyes and pressed her fingers to her lips. "Oh..."

Rachel held up a finger. "Don't start. ‘Cause if you start, I'll start and it took me a very long time to do this." She waved a palm in front of her face.

"You look so pretty," Madison cried.

Rachel exhaled. "Thank you. I picked a great color for you," she said walked to Madison and touching the flare of the skirt of her dress.

Madison wiped a finger under each of her eyes. "Yes, you did."

"Is it time yet?"

"That's why I'm here."

"Finally!" She fanned herself as she walked away. "I'm ready to do this thing already." Madison caught up with her at a window.

"So I guess I don't have to ask how you're doing."

Rachel's eyes aimed in her direction. "I told you not to start with me."

"I'm not."

Rachel fully faced her. "You're fishing around, trying to find out if I'm upset about my parents, Bug."

Madison tried a laugh. "No, I'm not. I swear, Boo, I just wanted to know how you're doing."

"I'm great. I am marrying the love of my life today." Madison grinned. "I'm not nervous or anxious and I don't have cold feet. Am I sad that my parents won't be by my side? Absolutely! They're my parents. But I am still going to marry Chris because I love him." Madison took her hands and they linked fingers. "And the fact that I'm not nervous and not anxious and that I don't have cold feet, only tells me that I'm doing the right thing. I am really, really fine."

Madison laughed through tears.

"Now let's go get me married."

Chapter Twelve

          Rachel heard the music change from Für Elise to the Bridal Chorus and felt a quick flutter in her stomach as she marched alone down the aisle. She spotted Chris, handsome and nearly clean-cut in his tuxedo-his braids were tied back away from his face-through her veil at the end of the aisle next to the priest and felt tears sting her eyes.

          She kept her eyes on him, completely forgetting about the other people around her, until she neared the front of the aisle. She lowered her eyes briefly to blink away the tears and when she glanced up, she froze in the aisle. For sitting in the front row, on the bride's side, were her parents. She looked through tears at Chris, who smiled, held out his hand and bobbed his head toward the makeshift altar.

          She slipped her hand in his and joined him at the altar, handing her bouquet off to Madison. Chris lifted the veil over her head and took her hands.

          "How did they-?" she whispered.

          "I tell you later."

          After the ceremony Chris and Rachel hid in a room in the reception hall, waiting to be announced.

          "Chris, how did they-when did they-?"

          Chris took both of her hands and pressed them to his chest. "I went to your parents' house yesterday to talk to them." She blinked. "I went to ask them one more time to come to the wedding for you. Because you love them and I love you and I wanted this to be the happiest day of your life."

          "You are so amazing."

          He nodded then made a face, lowering their joined hands between their bodies. "You may not think so when I tell you the rest."

          "Why? This is the most wonderful thing anyone has ever done for me."

          "Well...during our discussion, there were some...conditions I may have agreed to."

          Rachel frowned. "Conditions? What conditions?"

          "Well, only two of them." Rachel took her hands from his and planted them on her hips, an eyebrow raised over one eye. Chris grinned. "Firstly, I promised them that you would still go to college."

          Her eyebrow lowered and her arms fell to her side. "But I don't want to go to Berkley. Your house-my house, my home is here."

          "I know, babe. There are schools down here you can apply for. They know that you've decided to take a year before starting school so you can go out on the road with me. And they're cool with it, as long as after that year is up, you start courses."

          She crossed her arms. "This is what I had planned."

          "It is what you had planned. And I told them that. The second thing is..." he smiled goofily and laughed nervously. "I promised no babies for at least a couple of years."

          Rachel's brows drew together and her eyes closed briefly. "You what?"

          Chris stifled a giggle. "I promised no grandbabies. Not yet."

          She laughed. "You-you promised that?" He nodded. She stepped forward, cupping his clean shaven cheeks and kissed him, giggling. "Oh, Christopher, I love you."

          "I love you." He kissed her back, long and hard, and continued to do so when Justin banged on the door.

          "Hey, newlyweds! You better not be consummating the marriage yet! We got people out here waiting for you."

          Chris and Rachel laughed.

          "We're on our way!"

          "We're coming!"

          "Ladies and gentleman: please put your hands together for Mr. and Mrs. Christopher and Rachel Kirkpatrick!"

          The surprisingly full room of guests ranging from a few of Rachel's relatives and Chris' family to many of the famous friends Chris had made over the years applauded as Madison and Lance pulled open the white double doors that led Chris and Rachel into the room. They headed straight to the dance floor, expecting their first dance song to start when Justin spoke into the microphone by the DJ.

          "Whoa, hey, Chris and Rach, hold up."

          They paused, in each other's arms, and turned to the small stage where Justin and the DJ were. Justin waited as Madison joined him on the stage and going to his side, took his hand.

          "We got a little surprise for you. See, uh, this little birdie told me that your first dance was going to be to At Last." He glanced at Madison and she smiled widely. "And, you know, that same nosy, gossipy little-ow!" Madison slapped a hand across his chest and he laughed, as did the entire room. "Sorry. Anyway, that little birdie also shared with me that, you Rach, had a fondness for a relatively new rendition of this particular song."

          "Oh my god..." Rachel pressed a hand to her mouth.

          "So, ladies and gentlemen, Christopher and Rachel, please give it up for Miss Christina Aguilera.

          "Oh my god!" Rachel said gripping Chris' arm. The guests applauded as the diminutive singer walked onto the stage giving Justin and Madison hugs as they walked off. Christina stepped up to the mike stand, lowering it considerably, as her accompanist set up his keyboard behind her.

          "Thanks, Justin. Chris and Rachel, congratulations and I hope you enjoy the song." The beginning notes started and Christina's powerhouse voice came through the speakers as Chris and Rachel started to sway together. As Christina finished the tune with her signature style, the room filled with cheers, whistles and applause. She blew Chris and Rachel a kiss, took a bow and left the stage.

          "I can't believe she was here!" Rachel squealed to Chris. "Did you know about it?"

          "No, I had no idea."

          "Hey, hey, lovebirds." Justin popped up behind Chris, wrapping his arms around his much shorter friend from behind and lifting him off the ground. Madison walked around the two and hugged Rachel.

          "Bug!"

          "Boo! You're married!"

          "Move over," Justin said nudging between the two girls to hug Rachel.

          "Justin, how'd you get Christina Aguilera to come here?"

          He shrugged and slipped an arm around Madison's waist. "Called her up and asked. She owed me one. I saved her at this gig we played at after her. One of the Backstreet Boys had her cornered so I went over and pretended she had blown me off for a dance."

          "Such a hero," Madison said cupping his chin.

          "Well, thank you so much. She's my favorite."

          "Don't thank me. Thank this one. It was her idea."

Rachel and Madison smiled at each other then Madison glanced at Chris.

"You guys looked so good up there. Even you, Chris." He made a face at her. "You clean up pretty good."

"Thanks. I think."

Justin brushed him off with a wave of his hand. "Eh, don't let him fool you. He turns back into that ugly little leprechaun we all know and love at midnight."

"Shut up, man. It's my wedding day; you're supposed to be nice to me."

Justin lifted his shoulders. "Sorry, bro. I didn't get that memo."

Madison reached out a hand, running it along the satin skirt of Rachel's dress. "Boo, you're dress is so gorgeous."

"Thanks." She smiled at Chris.

"Uh-oh. Come on, baby. I don't want you getting any ideas." Justin lifted Madison off of her feet and dragged her away, holding her close as he started to dance with her.

Rachel slipped her arms around Chris' neck and they, too, began to sway to the music. "Do you think they'll make it?"

Chris glanced in the direction of Rachel's gaze at Justin and Madison. She was giggling at something he whispered in her ear then playfully bit it. "I don't know. I just hope they don't screw up the friendship." He turned his face back to Rachel's and, as he always did, roamed his eyes over her face. "They'll ever be as hot as us anyway."

Rachel laughed. "Oh, really?"

"Oh, yeah." Chris had just pressed his lips to Rachel's when he heard a throat being cleared behind him.

"Sorry to interrupt."

Chris turned and his face fell when he saw JC standing beside him. "JC..."

JC smiled and held out his hand to Chris. "Congratulations, bro." Chris took his hand, letting out a small laugh when JC pulled him close and gave him a quick hug.

"Thanks, man."

JC turned to Rachel. "Rachel, you look beautiful," he said, pressing a kiss to her cheek.

"Thank you."

"Christopher! You took the plunge, man!" Joey yelled crashing into Chris' arms, both of them laughing.

"Joseph! I knew you couldn't resist a party," he said when Joey pulled back.

"Yeah, you know me: music, dancing, champagne and chicks. I'm so there." Joey looked at Rachel and grinned, reaching out to give her a tight hug. "Whew. Look at you."

"Hi, Joey."

He slipped an arm around her waist. "Now, if this boy ever gets out of line, you make sure you come and tell me. And I'll kick his ass and come take care of you." Rachel batted her eyes playfully.

"Hey, stop hitting on my wife." Chris playfully nudged Vinnie back and grabbed Rachel protectively.

"Pshh...fine, keep her. I'm a-go find me Christina. Later."

Chris turned back to JC. "C, man...I can't tell you how much I-"

"Hey," JC cut him off and clamped a hand on his shoulder. "We always back each other up, right?" Understanding, Chris nodded.

"Hey, stranger," Lance said to JC as he approached, shaking his hand. "Rach, this is Ken." Kennedy James, a raven-haired young woman, reached out her hand, covered in silver rings, her nails short and black, to Rachel, with a commercial perfect smile on her lips.

"Hi, it's nice to meet you, Rachel. And congratulations to both of you. It was a beautiful ceremony."

"Thanks. It's nice to meet you, too."

Kennedy turned her emerald eyes to Chris and took his hand, leaning over to press her lips lightly to his cheek. "Chris, you must be a pretty special guy. How'd you get a girl so gorgeous?"

"They don't call me Lucky for nothing, Ken. You remember JC?"

Kennedy smiled at JC. "Yeah, hi, I haven't seen you since the last meeting with all of you."

JC glanced anxiously at Chris. "I've been...busy."

"JC's getting hitched himself in a few months," Lance explained to Kennedy.

"Wow. Two weddings and a tour. Ya'll don't take things easy do you?" They all laughed.

"Hey, Ken! Come here!" Kennedy frowned at Justin and excused herself from the small group.

"Hey, uh, Scoop, you think it's a good idea to be on a date with our new stylist?" JC asked watching Justin introduce Kennedy to Madison. Lance snorted.

"It's not a real date, dude. She's here, I'm here, and we don't want to look like losers so we just tell people we're here together. Besides, she has a boyfriend. Travis something or other. He's a model." JC shrugged, his attention focused on the photographer aiming his camera randomly around the room. If Olivia knew he came to the wedding she'd throw another fit. He put it from his mind, reminding himself he was here for his oldest and closest friend and that was all that mattered.

"Is there an open bar?" JC asked Chris.

Lance laughed. "Come on, lush, this way." Lance dragged JC away and Rachel snuggled up to her husband.

"I can't believe he came," she said softly. Chris turned to face her, holding her close.

"I can. I knew he would."

Rachel smiled softly. "How did you always know?"

He angled his head. "What do you mean?"

She shrugged. "You always said if we were happy and everyone saw that, we'd be okay. Even after your fight, you knew JC would be here. No one imagined we would make it. How did you always know?"

"Because, my love, I had faith: in you, in us, in JC." He smiled to himself. "I think I fell in love with you the moment I set eyes on you. And there wasn't anyone or anything that was gonna stop me from being with you."

"You must be lucky," she said with a laugh.

"Why?"

"With all that stood between us: the age difference, you're famous, my friends, your friends, my parents. Did I mention you're famous?"

Chris rolled his eyes. "It's not like I'm Justin."

She smiled. "I mean, the chances were so unlikely that we would ever be...together. We're really lucky."

"No," Chris laughed and hugged her tightly. "We're a miracle."