Tony almost had to carry me back to the hotel by the time we were finished with the video shoot the next day.

"How do you think it went?" I asked him as he opened my hotel room door.

"You did a good job. Now go get some rest, we leave early tomorrow for San Diego. You've got a radio show to do tomorrow night."

"Fun," I mumble.

He walks me over to my bed and lets me fall onto it. "I'll wake you in the morning, okay?"

I slowly nod my head. My eyes are closed. I hear him chuckle before he leaves my room.

"I can't feel my body," I moan. Slowly I stand up and make my way to the bathroom. Maybe a hot shower will help.

"Any comments on the other acts on the Summer Jam Tour?" the DJ asks me.

"Actually, I've only met Michael. I did catch the show when I was in Atlanta a few days ago and I thought all the acts I saw were very good."

The DJ laughs. "Is that the nice generic answer?"

I hate it when people do that.

"No, I'm being honest. Each act is a little different and I think you can find something to enjoy about each one of them."

I glare over at Tony. I hate these things…don't ever book me on one of them again.

"We're actually going to cheat a little bit and play the next song that's going to be your single…so we hear."

"Really? That's cool."

"Yeah, we'll get the fan reaction after we play it, how does that sound?"

"Sounds cool."

He plays "Mind Games", then they take a commercial break.

"I've got a few callers on the line. You feel comfortable answering questions?" the DJ asks me before we're back live on the air.

"Sure."

I go through the motions of the radio broadcast. The callers love the song. They love the edge to it. I get asked the typical questions about my love life, my parents, stuff like that.

"Why were your eyes shooting darts at me in there?" Tony asks as we leave the studio.

"I hate doing those things."

"So don't shoot the messenger," he says and holds his hands up in defense.

"You're the one who books them, right?"

He has to jog slightly to keep up with me. "Only because I'm told to. Do you really think I'd put you through that on my own and risk life and limb every time?"

"No," I mumble. "I'm sorry. You're the only one I can snap at."

He wraps an arm around my shoulder. "It's okay. I'll be your punching bag anytime. Your Uncle Lance pays me well."

I look up at him as we keep walking and then laugh.

When I arrive at my hotel room I see a note partly sticking from under my door. I look around, unlock the door and bend down and pick it up before I close the door behind me.

I smile as I read it:

He wants to go out with me again, I sigh.

I walk over to the bed and remember that I haven't checked in with my parents yet. I call mama's cell phone again because I can't remember where she said they were going to be.

I'm disappointed when I get her voice mail.

"Hi mama…I was just checking in. I'm in San Diego and just did another awful radio show…I survived it but I really hate those things. I was really hoping to catch you…there's a lot I wanted to talk to you about. Oh well. The video shoot with Wade was great. He's really on top of things…I was really impressed. This video is going to be so bold and out there…in a good way of course," I giggle. "I'm going to call Brad right now and we might do something tonight so I'll try to call you tomorrow. Tell daddy and Cody and Ashleigh that I love them and miss them. I love you and miss you too. Bye."

I hang up the phone and then pick up the phone next to the bed and dial room 612.

"Hello."

"Brad?"

"Yes…hi Adriana."

"Oh hi. It didn't sound like you for a second and I couldn't remember if you had to share a room with anyone so I didn't want to assume."

Okay I just sounded really flighty there.

"That's okay. How did the video shoot go?"

"It was great. Wade was wonderful to work with. This video is going to be so different than anything that's out there."

"I can't wait to see it."

"Should be able to in a couple of weeks."

"Great. So, you still feel up to going out tonight?"

I lean back on my arm. "Sure do. If we go somewhere public though, Andre will have to go with us…I've already gotten the lecture."

"I have just the place. My cousin was telling me about it."

"Having a bodyguard around won't bother you?"

"No, I'm sure he'll be discrete."

"Have you seen Andre? I think it's hard for him to be discrete," I laugh and he joins me.

"It will be fine. How about I pick you up in thirty minutes. Will that give you enough time to freshen up?"

"Make it forty-five. Andre might have to do his hair."

He laughs. "I'll see you in forty-five minutes then."

"Oh, how should I dress?"

"Um, very casually. We'll probably be outside."

"'K. See you."

"Bye."

I quickly call Andre's room and let him know the plan.

Within the hour I was ready to go, Andre was waiting and Brad was at my door.

"You look nice," he said leaning down and kissing my cheek.

"Thanks, so do you. I like that color on you…it brings out more blue in your eyes."

He blushes a little. "Really? I might have to wear it more often," he winks at me.

He holds out his hand for me to take. "Let's go."

As Andre drives us in the SUV to our destination that apparently he and Brad know, Brad leans over to me and says, "One of these times I'm going to take you on a real date where I actually get to drive you."

"Does it really bother you?"

"No, it's okay…I understand why. It's just, you know, I want to be able to pick you up and just take you somewhere. You think there will ever be a time when that could happen?"

I nod. "Yes…I just don't know when," I chuckle.

He smiles knowingly. "That's what I thought. Until then, I'll settle for this," he says as he takes my hand.

The SUV slows down.

"What's this?" I ask looking out the window.

"It's Balboa Park. I thought we could walk around and I think there's something going on in the pavilion."

"That sounds nice."

As we walk through the park, Brad looks behind us for the third time.

"He's back there…don't worry about him," I say.

"What if I want to do this?" he asks, taking my hand and kissing the back of it.

"Then do it," I say, leaning into him a little bit. "He's not my keeper. It's not like he's going to go back and tell anyone what I'm doing."

"You seem so used to this."

I shrug. "I grew up with it. I'm not used to them following only me, but I'm used to them being around."

He tugs my hand a little and we start walking through the Japanese Friendship Garden.

"This is so pretty at night. I love the way the lights illuminate the flowers."

We round a corner and he stops and pulls me into his arms.

"I've been waiting to do this since the first time I saw you tonight."

He leans down and kisses me. My arms wrap around his neck and pull him closer as his arms find my waist. His hand starts to rub up and down my back and I turn my head to deepen the kiss. I guess he likes this because the hand that was on my back now moves up to my neck and he opens his mouth a little bit more. So I follow. Then, I feel his tongue lightly touch my lips, which almost makes me gasp.

I pull back.

"I need to catch my breath," I say breathlessly.

"I'm sorry…I moved too fast," he says, wiping his mouth.

I grab his hand and shake my head. "No…just surprised me a little," I say shyly.

Suddenly we hear music in the distance.

"Come on," he smiles, takes my hand and leads me out of the garden.

We don't have to go far to find the music as we reach the pavilion.

I smile. "Jazz."

"Yep…come on."

We walk to the seating area and find a couple of seats in the back.

"It's such a beautiful night too," I say as we sit down and I feel the warm breeze against my face.

He puts an arm around me and I lean into him as we listen to the music.

After about thirty minutes of sitting like this he says, "Dance with me."

"What?" I ask as I lift my head off of his shoulder.

He looks around at the couples behind us who are dancing.

"Come on."

He stands up and holds out his hand. I laugh and take it. He pulls me into his arms and his hands settle on my waist so I wrap my arms around his neck and we begin to sway.

"You're good at this," he says.

"You're not so bad yourself."

"I think you might have a future in this."

I throw my head back and laugh. "Thanks, I might consider that. What?" I ask since he's staring at me.

"You're so beautiful when you laugh."

"Stop…"

"No really. I know everyone compares you to your mother all the time…and yes, you do have her beauty. But, there's an inner beauty that shines through that is yours alone."

"Wow."

Can he really be real? Do eighteen-year-old guys say this kind of stuff?

"Wow?"

"I don't know what else to say," I stutter.

"I guess that's good then."

I nod. "Yes, very good."

I stand up on my tip-toes. He gets the hint and quickly kisses me.

"Thanks for coming out with me tonight. I know you take a chance of getting in trouble with…"

"Shhh," I say pressing my fingers to his lips. "We haven't gone anywhere where my fans would be hanging out." I chuckle. "It feels weird to say my fans."

"It doesn't sound weird. You're more popular than you realize. When I went home, everyone on my block knew who you were."

"Probably because you play in my band," I laugh.

He shrugs. "Well maybe that too."

"I feel so normal when I'm around you," I say as I lay my head against his chest and we continue to sway.

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

"Very very good," I say entwining my fingers behind his neck.

"Good," he whispers in my hair.

As soon as I get into my room later that night, my cell phone starts to ring. I pick it up and notice it's mama.

"Hello?"

"Hi baby. I hope it's not too late…oh, or that I'm interrupting your evening out."

"No, I just got back actually."

"Oh, did you have a nice time?"

I can hear the smile in her voice.

"Yes…very. Mama, I like him a lot. I've never felt this way."

"Oh boy."

"What?"

"I was afraid this was going to happen. I saw all the signs. Is he romantic?"

"Yes," I say dreamily.

"He reminds me of your father a little bit."

"Really?"

"Yes. He just has a certain kind of charm about him that your daddy always had. Still has," she corrected herself.

I shake my head. "I don't see it."

Mama laughs. "Trust me, it's there."

I sit back on the bed and settle in for a long "girl talk" with mama.