Nick: Good morning beautiful.
He leans over to kiss her softly before reaching for his shirt which is hanging on a nearby chair.
Lissa: Do you have to leave so soon?
She crawls over to Nick and wraps her arms around him from behind.
Nick: You know I do. Brian’s meeting me at the airport in an hour.
Lissa: But the concert’s not until tonight. You have plenty of time.
Nick: Yes but our plane leaves this morning and...
Lissa has started kissing his neck and Nick forgets all about protesting. He suddenly has no desire to leave this bed.
Nick: I guess we can always take a later flight.
He moves his head so her lips find his mouth, and he is reaching for her when his conscience gets the better of him.
Nick: Wait!
He pushes her away so he can think straight.
Nick: What if there’s not another flight to Kentucky today? I can’t miss the concert! The guys would kill me!
Lissa: Why don’t you call the airport and find out?
Nick: Why didn’t I think of that?
Lissa: Because you were thinking with...
Nick: Don’t even say it!
He grabs the phone off her nightstand and dials the number to the airport.
Nick: Hi, I was hoping there’s another flight to Kentucky later today because I don’t think I’ll be able to make the first one.
While Nick’s talking, Lissa begins unbuttoning his shirt.
Nick: Stop that! Oh sorry, I didn’t mean you ma’am.... There is? That’s great! Would it be possible for you to pass on a message for me? When Brian Littrell shows up, could you please tell him that Nick Carter can’t make it to the early flight, and for him to wait and we’ll take the next one?... Thank you so much.... You too. Goodbye.
Nick turns to face Lissa and grins slyly at her.
Nick: Now where were we?
Lissa grins back at him.
Lissa: Somewhere around here.
She leans forward and kisses him and they fall back on the bed.
**********
When Lissa awakens for the second time that morning, she is all alone. She rolls over to stare at Nick’s recently vacated side of the bed and notices a sheet of paper lying on the pillow. She picks it up and reads it.
Dear Lissa,
I’m sorry that I left without saying goodbye, but I knew that if I didn’t, I’d never be able to tear myself away from you. Please don’t be mad at me. I love you and I’ll see you soon.
Love Nick
Lissa’s not mad at Nick. She knew when she got involved with him that he was going to be touring a lot. She just makes sure that before he leaves, she gives him something to remember her by, something to keep him thinking about her while he’s gone. Lissa reluctantly gets out of bed and sets the note down on her dresser. Nick is gone, it’s time to get on with her day.
**********
Meanwhile Nick’s plane to Kentucky has just taken off. Nick is staring out the window lost in thought when Brian speaks up from the seat beside him.
Brian: I suppose I don’t need to ask what detained you this morning. It’s Lissa, isn’t it?
Nick: Who else? I just can’t get enough of her. But I feel bad about the way I left her. I don’t like the idea of her waking up alone, especially on Valentine’s Day.
Brian: Why didn’t you just bring her with us? Andrea’s coming with A.J.
Nick: You know why. I have problems concentrating when she’s around.
Brian: So you’d rather be without her for a few weeks?
Nick considers this and instantly regrets his actions.
Nick: You’re right, I should have brought her with me. She would have loved to come too.
Nick puts his head in his hands.
Nick: That’s two things I’ve done wrong today. I’m never going to be able to make this up to her.
Brian: Maybe you can.
**********
Lissa has showered and dressed and is making the bed when the phone rings. She climbs over the bed to answer it.
Lissa: Hello?
Brian: Hi Liss, it’s Brian.
Lissa: Hi! You can’t be there already. Are you calling from the airplane?
Brian: Yeah I am. Thanks to you I have a lonely depressed best friend as a travelling companion.
Lissa: Sorry.
Brian: You should be. What did you do to him anyway?
Lissa: None of your business. Speaking of that, thanks for postponing your flight this morning. I just couldn’t resist stealing a few extra moments with him, knowing that he was going to be gone for weeks on your new tour.
Brian: What can I say? I’m a sucker for love.
Lissa: I know you are. So what’s up? You can’t just be calling me to tell me how lonely Nick is.
Brian: You’re right, I’m not.
He holds the phone away from his mouth for a moment and Lissa can hear talking in the background but can’t make out the words. She can only hear Brian’s end of the conversation.
Brian: Everything’s all ready?... Right now?... Okay. Lissa?
Lissa: Yes?
Brian: Turn on the radio.
Lissa: Why?
Brian: Just trust me. Turn it on. Go to 92.5.
Lissa: Sure.
She reaches for her stereo on her dresser and flicks the power switch. Tarzan Dan’s voice fills the room.
Tarzan Dan: ...and he’d like to sing something for his girlfriend. Lissa, if you’re listening, here it is. Take it away Nick.
Nick: "When I wake up to
The touch of your head on my shoulder
You’re my dream come true
Girl you know I’ll always treasure
Every kiss, and every day
I love you girl in every way
And I always will cause in my eyes
No one else comes close to you
No one makes me feel the way you do
You’re so special girl to me
And you’ll always be eternally
Every time I hold you near
You always say the words I love to hear
Girl with just a touch, you can do so much
No one else comes close"
Happy Valentine’s Day sweetheart.
Tarzan Dan starts talking again but Lissa doesn’t hear it. She’s too moved by what Nick just did. Tears are running down her face, but she just sits there in shock. Suddenly a voice comes over the phone that fell out of Lissa’s hand.
Nick: Lissa? Lissa are you still there?
Nick’s voice brings her back to reality and she lifts the phone back up to her ear.
Lissa: I’m here. What did I do to deserve you?
Nick: So you’re not mad at me for leaving you this morning?
Lissa: Of course not. You had to go, I know that. I just wish I could be with you, that’s all.
Nick: I’m glad to hear you say that. Go to the door.
Lissa: What? Why?
Nick: Just do it. Please?
Lissa: Okay okay. You and Brian are pretty demanding this morning.
As she approaches the door, she sees an envelope that has been pushed under it.
Lissa: What’s this?
Nick: Just a small present from me to you. I hope you like it. I’ve got to go, we’re landing now. I’ll see you soon. I love you. Bye.
Lissa: What are you talking about? Nick?
But it’s too late, Nick has already hung up. Lissa picks up the envelope and quickly tears it open. Inside is a plane ticket to Kentucky and a front row seat to the concert that night.
Lissa: I love you too Nick.