Sleep didn’t come easy for either of them and it was soon time for them to get up and go to the airport to go to LA. They quietly made their way to the plane, the normal banter between them gone.

On arriving at the airport they picked up their baggage and made their way though to arrivals. Sue saw a sign with “Sunny and Sparky” written on it and she couldn’t help but smile. “There’s our lift to the hotel,” she told Em who laughed when she saw the sign herself.

The black stretch limousine was a bit much but Sue explained it was all part of the hotel VIP package. She could get used to this, Em thought as she lounged back against the cool leather seat. “Want a Coke?” She gestured towards the mini-fridge.
“No thanks.” Sue was busy staring outside but her hands were clenched in her lap.
“You okay?”
“Yup.”
“You sure?”
“Yup.”
“Okay.” Em sighed and gave up. She couldn’t wait for things to go back to normal.

Which showed how much she knew. Because when the limo stopped, it definitely wasn’t in front of a Santa Monica hotel. And the hills around them were not the city either. “Where are we?”
“Woodland Hills.” Sue’s head was stuck against the window as she looked at the house standing at the end of the drive.
“And we are here because? I thought you hated B&Bs?”
“It’s not a B&B.”
“So what is it?”
“A private home.” Sue managed to mutter as the driver pulled the door open and they slid out.
“Whose?”
“You’ll see.” Sue grabbed her bags and waited until her friend had done the same. They walked up the drive and both watched as the front door opened to reveal… not one but two Backstreet Boys.
“Hey baby, glad you made it.” Nick grinned as he sauntered down the steps. Sue’s hands opened, her bags clattered to the ground as Nick’s arms engulfed her.
Em watched him kiss her friend, never giving her any time to breathe. What the hell was happening? Had she moved into another dimension? Was Nick really kissing Sue? And why was AJ looking so perturbed? “Hi.” She finally said to him, trying to look at something other than the loved-up couple.
“Hey. How are you?”
“Good. The flight was fine.”
“What flight? Oh you mean, you flew in from Vegas.”

“Well, yeah.” She stared back at him weirdly. “Can I ask you something?”
“Shoot.” He was still staring at Nick.
“Is this your house?”
That brought him back to the present. “No, it’s Nick’s. Didn’t you know?”
Em shook her head. “I didn’t know we were coming here. So why are you here?”
“I’m renovating my house so I’m bunking here for the time being. Do you think they’re ever gonna come up for air?”
With a grimace, Em turned back to the couple who still hadn’t ended their marathon kiss. “Doesn’t look like it.”
“Shit.”
“Should we give them some privacy?”
“I guess.” AJ turned around and walked back inside leaving her with her bags to carry.
“Great, what a perfect gentleman.” Emma rolled her eyes as she followed him inside.

***

“I’ve missed you,” Nick said as soon as she leaned away.
“Me too.” Sue had to force herself to stop running her hands through his hair. “I’m glad I’m finally here.”
“Tell me about it!” He grinned and stepped back. Bending down, he grabbed her bags and nodded towards the still open door. “Let me show you your new home.”
She nearly stumbled at that but quickly righted herself. He dropped the bags into the main hall and went back for her. She screamed when he picked her up and carried her over the threshold. "Nick!" she protested.
"What? It’s tradition." Their gazes caught and they both felt like they had stopped breathing. "I love you." He whispered before stealing another brief kiss.
"I love you too."

"I just want to know what the bloody hell is going on!"
The irate voice from behind them made them remember their situation. Nick carefully lowered Sue to the ground and they walked further into the house, not wanting to face the music.