When Kevin woke up around 11:00 the next morning, he felt amazingly rested, considering he hadn't gotten to bed until after 4:00 a.m. He smiled as he thought about the night before. He had wished for someone to talk to, and that's exactly what he got. Kelly was everything he had hoped for. And even though she was a fan, she didn't make him feel like he had to live up to a superstar image. Once they had gotten over the initial awkwardness, he had been able to relax and just be himself.

Suddenly Kevin wanted to see her again more than anything. When they had left each other last night, he hadn't said anything about "next time" because he didn't want to make any promises he couldn't keep. He had wanted time to reflect and decide if he was sure of his feelings. And now in the light of day, his feelings were even stronger than before.

He knew she was flying back to California that afternoon, but he wanted to say good-bye before she left. He didn't even know what room she was staying in. But he did know her name. He would need to act quickly, though. She might have already checked out. He rang Carlos, his bodyguard, who was in the adjoining room. He quickly explained the situation to Carlos and asked him to bring her down to the lounge in half an hour. Carlos said he'd take care of it and Kevin hung up the phone, then went into the bathroom. As he turned on the shower, he remembered how he had always said he didn't believe in love at first sight.

Kelly had changed his mind.

When Kelly woke up the next morning it took her a minute to figure out why she felt so different. She felt as though something had changed, but she wasn't quite sure what. Then she remembered the previous night, or rather just a few hours ago. She still couldn't believe it really happened. The others had been asleep already when she got back to the room, so she hadn't had a chance to tell them, but she wasn't sure she wanted to either. She wanted to just lay in bed all morning and savor the memory of last night. But checkout time was at noon, and she had a plane to catch after that, so she got up and began to get ready.

The other girls were beginning to stir when she came out of the bathroom.

"I feel like I could sleep for a week," said Kimberly, yawning.

"I know, and I was having such a good dream, too!" complained Hayley. "It was all about Nick...and me...and dancing...That's it, I'm going back to sleep!" She flopped back down in the bed and covered her head with her pillow.

Beth grinned mischievously at the other three, and put her finger to her lips. She tiptoed over to Hayley's bed. Suddenly she pounced and began to tickle her friend.

"Ahhhhhhh!" yelled Hayley, squirming away from Beth. "You asked for it now!" She grabbed her pillow and began hitting Beth with it.

"Kimberly, help me!" giggled Beth. Kimberly grabbed her pillow and handed one to Beth, as they both attacked Hayley. Kelly watched the trio for a moment before deciding to join in the fun. Pillows were flying everywhere and the girls were a tangle of arms and legs, when suddenly there was a knock on the door. Everybody froze.

"Now who could that be?" asked Beth as she walked to the door. "Don't tell me it's the maid already."

She opened the door to find a tall muscle-bound man in front of her. Standing there with his arms crossed in front of him, he looked like a bouncer, or a professional wrestler.

"Kelly Madison?" he asked. Beth tried to stop staring long enough to shake her head no. She turned around and looked back into the room.

"Hey Kel, someone's here for you," she said with a look that begged for an explanation. Kelly had no clue as to the man's identity, so she just shrugged her shoulders and moved toward the door.

"I'm Kelly," she said, questioningly.

"Could you come with me please?" Noticing her reluctance, he showed her the all access pass hanging around his neck. "Kevin asked me to find you," he said quietly.

"Uh, sure. Okay." She turned to the others who were doing their best to try to hear what was going on. "I'll be right back, guys. I, um, have to take care of something."

She started out the door. They began walking down the hall. "Sorry if I confused you. I'm Carlos, Kevin's bodyguard." When Kelly didn't answer, he asked, "Something wrong?"

"Not really. I'm just surprised, that's all. To be honest with you, Carlos, I didn't expect to see Kevin again."

"I think he's kind of surprised himself," Carlos admitted. "But I haven't seen him like this in a long time."

They continued on in silence. Carlos took Kelly down the elevator to the lobby, and then led her to the French doors of the lounge. The lobby was crowded with people, most of them in their teens and of the female persuasion, and Kelly now knew it was because word had gotten out that this was where the Backstreet Boys were staying.

Carlos took her into the lounge. Kevin was waiting, and Carlos left them alone saying he would be right outside the door.

"I didn't really expect to see you again," Kelly said.

"I couldn't let you leave without saying goodbye," Kevin answered. "I enjoyed last night very much."

"So did I," replied Kelly.

"Could I hear your song again?" Kevin requested. " I've had it in my head all night."

That wasn't what Kelly had expected, but she walked over and sat down at the piano. Kevin came and sat down next to her. She began to play. Kevin watched silently as her fingers skimmed over the keys. He allowed himself to be caught up in the melody, and after a few minutes he put his fingers on the keys and began to play along. Together they made a beautiful duet. It was all Kelly could do to concentrate on what she was playing with him so near.

When the song ended, she looked at Kevin and tried to read what he was thinking.

Kevin just stared at her a minute. "Wow. Kelly girl, we make beautiful music together," he said softly. He knew that sounded completely corny, but he didn't care. "What are the words? I'd really like to know."

"I...uh...I can't remember them all right now. Maybe I could send them to you or something." Kelly was sure Kevin would see right through her, but she just couldn't think straight when he was around.

"Can you at least tell me what you call it?" he asked, disappointed but not wanting to push it.

"Song For The Road," Kelly answered.

Kevin was intrigued by the title, but didn't say anything more, just nodded his head.

Kelly felt awkward, just standing there. "Well, I guess I should go. I need to finish packing."

"Yes," Kevin said, not wanting her to leave yet. Neither of them moved.

Then Kevin broke the silence. "Can I get your phone number? I'd like to call you sometime, if that would be all right."

"Okay," Kelly doubted that he would actually call. She knew how busy they were while on tour, but it couldn't hurt.

Kevin looked around for something to write it on, but didn't see anything. Kelly felt around in her pockets. She pulled a folded sheet out of her back pocket, and thinking it was just scrap paper, she scribbled the number onto it, and handed it to Kevin.

Just then Carlos came into the room. "Kevin, we really need to get going. You have that press conference, remember?"

"Okay, I'm coming." He walked to the door with Kelly. He took her hand in his and looked into her eyes. "Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me last night. You don't know how much that meant to me," he said. "And thanks for playing the song for me again, too. I hope someday I'll get to hear it, lyrics and all."

Kelly took one last look at those gorgeous green eyes. "Your welcome, and you will," was all she said, then turned and slipped out the door.

Kevin just stood there and watched her leave, even though it was all he could do not to go after her. He wanted to get to know all about her. He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her, and run his fingers through her silky waves.

But she was gone, and he had a conference to get to. "Goodbye, Kelly girl," he whispered.

Chapter 5
Chapter 3
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