It was a perfect fall evening. Just warm enough to sit outside on the patio at the local bar. Veronica arrived just after 7:00. She went up to the bar for a beer.

“Hey Tommy!” She said as she gave the bartender a hug. “How’s business tonight? Seems to be picking up.”

“Yeah, it’s pretty good, and now that my favorite group of girls got here, it’s great!” He replied.

“If I didn’t know you better, I’d say you’re hitting on me.”

“If I was hitting on you, I’d buy you a drink.” He handed her a beer and winked, “it’s on the house.”

“Very funny! You working all night, or just for happy hour?”

“I’m yours all night!” He laughed. Veronica rolled her eyes, “Where’s Kel and Jen?”

“Out on the patio.” He said as he pointed to the two girls sitting by the fire pit. She thanked him and headed outside to join her friends.

“I swear to God! One of these days, I’m just going to go off,” she mumbled as she plopped down into her chair.

“Oh, I’m fine, thanks for asking. How are you?” Kelly replied with a laugh.

“I’m sorry. It’s been another long day at work.”

“Yeah, we were starting to worry that you weren’t going to show up.” Jenny said as she sat down with her drink. “Did you just now get off work, or were you too lazy to put on normal clothes? I mean, seriously, a suit is a little bit of an over kill for the bar, don’t you think?”

Veronica worked at a law firm downtown that required wearing a suit everyday. She had on a black suit with hot pink pin strips and a pink button up blouse, her long brown hair was up in a French twist. She had recently graduated from college and was trying to get her foot in the door, but her boss was driving her more and more insane everyday.

“You will never guess what he said to me today, or should I say what he said to a client about me today.”

“What?” Kelly and Jenny said as the rolled their eyes. They were getting sick of hearing the same thing over and over again.

“He called me his air-headed assistant to a client!! Seriously? I mean, seriously! First of all, I’m not his assistant or anyone’s assistant for that matter! Second of all, he called me air-headed because some paperwork wasn’t filed. Of course this is my fault when he NEVER TOLD ME TO FILE IT! I mean, it was one of our biggest clients.”

“Then why don’t you just quit? I mean I feel like all I ever do anymore is listen to you complain about him. He’s a jerk.” Kelly replied.

“He IS a jerk, but he’s the best. I mean if I really want to go to law school and get ahead staying there is the best thing for me. I just gotta wait it out. They are practically begging me to go to law school and they flat out told me I can have the practice once they retire.”

“Okay, no more work talk. Have you talked to Andrew lately?” Jenny asked.

“No, his girlfriend is back in town. I haven’t heard from him since she got back, surprise surprise. Some best friend he’s being.”

“Okay, so no more talking for Veronica!!” Kelly said with a laugh. “You’re starting to depress me. But, I have some very exciting news!!”

“What?”

“I am moving to Hong Kong to be with Ryan….. in December!” She smiled.

“WHAT?!?! Kel, no, you can’t, you’re not even engaged! You can’t just move across the globe!”

“I can and I am, why are you being all dramatic on me? You knew it was gonna happen eventually.”

“Kel, I think it’s great. If that’s what’s going to make you happy, then go for it! And think of the career opportunities over there!” Jenny added trying to be supportive. Kelly and Jenny continued to talk about all of the exciting things that Hong Kong was going to bring. Veronica just sat there sulking in the fact she was going to lose one of her best friends. ‘Can this day get any worse?’ Veronica thought to herself. Finally she got tired of listening to them. “I’m gonna go get another beer, anyone want anything?” Veronica asked but leaving too quickly to get an answer.

“Her’s wasn’t even close to empty.” She heard Kelly say as she walked away.

The bar was starting to become packed as the happy hour crowd grew. Veronica decided that she to just get a seat at the bar and watch college football for awhile. She was making her way to the bar.

“Excuse me,” He said as he placed his hand on the small of her back trying push past her. She stood there for a minute, trying to place that voice. She knew it sounded familiar. “Excuse me, sweetheart.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” She said as she tried to move to the side, his hand still on the small of her back. Just as she moved someone ran into him causing him to bump into her and drop her glass. Her drink spilled all over both of them. “SHIT!”

“Here let me help you.” She had almost forgotten about that voice. ‘Why do I know that voice?’ She thought to herself. They both bent down to pick up the glass, and it hit her when she came face to face with him. She did know the voice and her heart stopped as she gazed into his eyes.

Turn around,
Turn around and fix your eye in my direction
So there is a connection.
Now I can't speak,
I can't make a sound to somehow capture your attention
I'm staring at perfection.

“I am so sorry” Veronica said completely embarrassed and trying to wipe her drink off the front of his shirt.

“No, it’s my fault don’t worry about it. Please let me buy you another drink.”

“That’s not necessary and it turns out I’ve had a bad day and it keeps getting worse and maybe having my drink spilled all over my new suit and you, is God’s way of telling me I should just go home, and now I’m rambling to a stranger and I’m still wiping off your shirt, okay I’m going to stop talking now.” He gave her a strange look and then started to laugh.

‘I just made a fool outta myself in front of HIM!’ she said to herself.

“So, that’s a no on the drink. And as it would be I don’t drink myself, so how about we go get a cup of coffee?”

“Their coffee here isn’t very good, I’m not sure that’d be a wise choice.”

Again, he just started to laugh, “no I meant, why don’t we get a cup of coffee somewhere else?”

“Oh,” She hesitated, “that sounds nice but I don’t think I should leave with a stranger.” ‘Oh, but he isn’t a stranger and God only knows what I’ll say to embarrass myself if I actually go with him or if I could keep myself from jumping him!’ she thought to herself.

“I’m AJ, you’re?” She just stood there for a moment, “and this is when you say your name.” He couldn’t help but smile at her, she was beautiful. Not that model/actress fake beauty, but the beauty of a woman that just doesn’t know she’s beautiful.

Take a look at me so you can see
How beautiful you are.

You call me a stranger, you say I'm a danger,
But all these thoughts are leaving you tonight.


“Veronica.” She replied yet again embarrassed and trying to remain calm and collected.

“See, we’re not strangers anymore, so where’s a good café?” How could she resist? Okay, so she’s always been one of the those closest teeny boppers, so there is no way she could actually let herself say no, even if she wanted to. Inside she wanted to scream, but was able to hold it back. “Actually there’s this really cute café just down the road within walking distance.”

They made their way through the people toward the exit. AJ again placed his hand on the small of Veronica’s back, guiding her through the crowd. She couldn’t help but to smile. ‘Okay you really need to settle down.’ She thought as she tried to wipe the grin off her face. Just as their reached the door they heard someone yell, “Hey V, you gonna leave without saying bye?” Veronica turned around to see Tommy standing in front of the bar. “Yeah, it’s always best to leave you wanting more.” Tommy motioned a knife being stuck in his heart, “Good night, Tommy.” She rolled her eyes and laughed. They walked down the street in silence.

“So, you go there often, I take it?”

“Kinda, I mean, we started this tradition after like our junior year of college where we’d meet for happy hour every Friday and we promised each other that we’d continue it after we graduated so that we could keep in touch.”

“And who would ‘we’ be?”

“Oh, just a couple of friends from college. Unfortunately, our group has decreased in size since we started the tradition. A couple of them moved away, some of them we’re not talking to anymore, some of them have boyfriends/girlfriends and don’t have time…” They reach the café after just a couple of blocks. There wasn’t anyone inside other than the person working.

“I’ll have a white chocolate mocha with caramel, please.” Veronica said without looking at the menu. She smiled and turned to AJ.

“Um, I’ll just a French roast, black.” Veronica raised her eyebrows, “I’m simple when it comes to coffee.”

“I guess so, I love my coffee, but it’s gotta be sweet.” She replied with a smile. “Do you want to sit out on the back patio or go for a walk?” She didn’t really know what to say or where to go, she was just in total awe of the whole situation.

“Hmm, how about a walk it’s pretty nice out, and from what I’ve been told it doesn’t stay nice here very long.”

“Ha, isn’t that the truth. The winters are pretty much miserable. I still have no clue why I haven’t moved south.” They grabbed their coffees and continued on their way. AJ held the door open and noticed Veronica’s 4 inch stiletto heels.

“We don’t have to walk if you don’t want you, with heels on and all.”

“I almost forgot. I’ve learned to ignore the pain of high heels between going out and working.”

“Okay, so nice suit, high heels, you got me, what do you do?”

“Well, I pretty much do bitch work.” She laughed, “naw, I work at a law firm and I do everything pretty much, and then the lawyers sign their names and get the big money. Very sweet life, right? You?” ‘Why are you even asking that? You know exactly what he does.’

He gave her a funny look, ‘she doesn’t know who I am?’ “I am actually in the entertainment industry, a singer.”

Veronica smiled and then there was an awkward silence, ‘quick change the subject!’ “So, what you are doing here, of all places?”

“Some radio shows actually.” AJ stopped walking and looked around. “You know where we’re at right?”

She looked around and started to panic, “yes of course…”

“Yea, that sounds reassuring.”

“No, I really do…” she looked around again, “this way.” They walked into a nearby park and sat on a bench. “How long are you in town?”

“Just a couple of days, this is actually our last stop on the radio shows thing. Then we’re headed back to LA.”

“We?”

“Yea, there’s a couple of us in our group.” ‘Okay, does she really have no clue who I am?’

“That’s cool, where are you staying?”

“Trying to get me to invite you back to my hotel, huh? A bit aggressive don’t you think?” He laughed.

“NO! no no no no no!”

“Ouch!”

“Wait, no I didn’t mean it like that, I just meant that I wasn’t trying to be into your pants, I mean shit. I give up.” She just shook her head and laughed.

“Naw, this is pretty entertaining, please continue.” He crossed his arms and in the process exposing numerous tattoos. She stared at them for a moment. “Staring because you’re mortified or because you’re intrigued?”

“Interested?” She said with a smile.

“That wasn’t one of the options.”

“Well, I’m original, what can I say? It seems like you’re original yourself.” She said biting her bottom lip.

“You could say that.” Everything about her right then was sexy. The way the slight breeze had caused some of her hair loose and it just brushed over her face, the way she smiled, the look her eyes that were so honey colored they were almost orange. His hand brushed her cheek as he wiped the loose pieces of hair behind her ear. Goosebumps went her back. “You have the most beautiful eyes.” She wanted to laugh at the unoriginal line but couldn’t tear her eyes away from him. A soft thank you was all she could whisper. She shifted uncomfortably at the compliment just proving AJ’s earlier thoughts of not knowing just how beautiful she is.

“So, about my hotel… do you wanna come back?”

She was shocked. ‘AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys wants me to go back to his hotel? Seriously, am I dreaming?’ She couldn’t think straight. The words came out before she could even process what she was saying. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She diverted her eyes to her stilettos.

AJ was stunned, ‘seriously, who is this girl?’

“Maybe I should go” she got up and started to walk away. He ran after her.

“Wait! I don’t even know where I am. At least walk me back or give me your number.” She stopped and turned around and contemplated it for a moment.

She smiled, “Four blocks up turn right on Vine Street and you’re back at the bar. As for the number… if you’re as good as I think you are, you’ll be able to find me.” She turned and continued to walk in the opposite direction.

AJ stood their bewildered, “did that really just happen?” A smile crept across his face, “yes it did.” He shook his head and walked back to the bar.

Your beauty seems so far away
I'd have to write a thousand songs
To make you comprehend how beautiful you are.
I know that I can't make you stay
But I would give my final breath
To make you understand how beautiful you are.
Understand how beautiful you are.

You call me a stranger, you say I'm a danger
But all these thoughts are leaving you tonight.
I'm broken, abandoned; you are an angel
Making all my dreams come true tonight.

You call me a stranger...
You say I'm a danger...
You call me a stranger...


Secondhand Serenade – Stranger

“What were you thinking? He asked you to go back to his hotel and you said no?!? Seriously, what is wrong with you… and now you’re talking to yourself… and talking like you’re not yourself.” Veronica screamed in frustration, “what is wrong with me?” She continued walking until suddenly she wasn’t sure where she was exactly. Within a couple of blocks she was back on track and called for a taxi when she got to the main road. Within a couple of minutes she was back to her apartment and changing out of her suit and into Victoria Secret’s sweats and a t-shirt. She grabbed her laptop and sunk into her bed. With a couple clicks of her mouse she was signed onto her instant messenger and checking her e-mails.

She was about to explode with excitement from the night and she couldn’t wait any longer. She finally pulled up the one website she was forcing herself to stay away from, the Backstreet Boys Fanclub. She had been a member for years but had never in a million years think she’s actually meet them. She logged on and instantly went into the chat room. “Please be on, please be on.” She said quickly as she was waiting for the page to load. “Bingo!” Veronica found the name she was looking for and quickly sent a private message.

ThatGirl: OMG OMG OMG!!!
Cassidy: What?
ThatGirl: So I have to tell you something, and you can’t tell anyone, I mean seriously!
Cassidy: Ha, okay, but seriously who am I gonna tell that it would matter, I am like 700 miles away.
ThatGirl: Cass, seriously.
Cassidy: Okay okay I won’t tell anyone. So what is it? Did you sleep with AJ or something? Haha
ThatGirl: …
Cassidy: WHAT?!? Wait wait wait, what is going on?
ThatGirl: So you know how the boys are like doing that radio tour thing? Well I kind of bumped in AJ at the bar.
Cassidy: You are so lying to me.
ThatGirl: I am not! I swear to God! And when I say bumped into, I mean I literally bumped into him… classic me. Ha!
Cassidy: Why didn’t you call me?!?
ThatGirl: It’s like after midnight. I just got on hoping you’d be here.
Cassidy: So wait… go back… you had sex with him?
ThatGirl: No. I just couldn’t… he asked me back to his hotel, so maybe I’m even presuming that something would have happened, I don’t know.
Cassidy: Oh whatever, you’re gorgeous, of course he was looking to hook up. Did you at least make out with him?
ThatGirl: Shut up, and no… I didn’t even give him my number! I said some stupid line, like ‘if you wanna find me figure it out’ or some stupid shit like that. I don’t’ know what I was thinking.
Cassidy: Yeah, me either, you’re pretty stupid.
ThatGirl: Gee thanks, I love you too! Haha… but hey I’m gonna lay down or something, I just had to tell you.
Cassidy: Yeah, but don’t think you’re getting off that easy. I expect a phone call tomorrow with FULL details.
ThatGirl: Will do. Good night, lover!
Cassidy: Good night.

Veronica had met Cassidy on the fanclub years ago and they had become instant friends regardless of the fact that they lived states apart and until recently had never met. Cassidy was someone Veronica could talk to whenever something happened and she didn’t have to worry about her judging her or running to tell the rest of her friends. Veronica had always considered Cassidy as one of her best friends regardless of the ridicule she got from her other friends. They just didn’t understand still being a BSB fan after 11 years.

Veronica went to sleep but really didn’t get any sleep that night. Her mind kept racing, replaying everything she should have done and what she would have done different.

I should be sleeping
'Stead of keeping
These late hours I've been keeping
I've been pacing and retracing
every step of every move
even though I'm feeling so right
I'm so happy still I know I
should be sleeping
instead of dreaming about you

The weekend went by without anything major happening. Although, Veronica kept checking her phone every five seconds to see if maybe a mystery call had come through. “Who am I kidding, there is no way he’s gonna find me, not like he’d even try anyway.”



AJ had returned to the bar and was able which way to go to get back to the hotel, but the entire time he couldn’t get his mind of her. Had he really been shut down by a girl that didn’t know who he was? And how in the world is he gonna find her? AJ finally got back to the hotel and found Nick sitting at the bar off the lobby. “Hey, why you down here and not down at the bars?”

“I’m not in the mood to deal with crowds right now, and it’s not like I won’t have three other nights to do it. What is there to do in this town anyway? I may go crazy if we have to stay longer than we’re supposed to.”

“I don’t know, I kind of like it here.” AJ smiled.

“Wait, where did you go?” Nick said looking at AJ suspiciously.

“There was this girl”

“Of course, there’s always a girl.” Nick rolled his eyes.

“Look who’s talking. Anyway, there was this girl at the bar, she seemed to be having a bad day so we went out for coffee.”

“And a fuck?”

“No.”

“AJ, come on, I know you too well to believe that you didn’t fuck her.” Nick picked up his beer and took a sip.

“Naw, she actually… turned me down.” Nick couldn’t contain his surprise as his spit out his beer all over AJ. “Again? This is the second time I’ve had beer spilled on me tonight, well I guess you SPIT this on me. Dude, give me a napkin or something.” Nick handed him some that were laying on the bar.

“So wait this girl turned YOU down? As in she said No to you? As in you both went home but not together?”

“Yes, you ass. However you wanna put it, we did not have sex and she did say no to me.”

“Well, that’s just a blow to the ego.” Nick laughed.

“Thanks for being supportive man.” AJ chuckled himself. “You need to see her, there’s just something about her, it’s I don’t even know how to explain it.”

“You’re just saying that ‘coz she said no, and it’s killing you.”

“Well yes, I mean, no… it’s that and I don’t know.” AJ smiled again, “Dude, she’s beautiful and has these amazing eyes, and legs, oh my God her legs with 4 inch heels. They could have walked all of me.”

“So what’s her name?”

“Veronica”

“Nice stripper name, now I get the 4 inch heels.” Nick laughed and AJ slapped him upside the head. “Oww.”

“That didn’t hurt, don’t be a pussy.”

“Well did you at least get her number?”

“No, that’s the thing, she wouldn’t give it to me. She gave me some bullshit line like, if you want it you have to find it. And how the hell am I supposed to do…” Just then his face lit up and he got an idea he started to run out of the hotel.

“Where you going?”

“I’ll be back!!” He jogged out of the hotel and ran straight up to the bar and then to the bartender. “Tommy, right?” The bartender turned around and gave AJ a funny look.

“Yeah, can I help you?”

“The girl, I mean Veronica, she was here earlier, do you know how to get ahold of her?”

“Look buddy, I don’t know you, and I’m not your personal phone book, I’m not just gonna give you information on her, she’s a friend.”

“I get it and I don’t doubt it, but I need something, anything, just any information about her, please! I’m not going to stalker her I just need to talk to her.”

“Listen, the only thing I’m gonna tell you is she works downtown for a law firm called Baldwin & Heckman.”

“Thank you, thank you!” With that a smile spread across his face as he walked out of the bar. He knew just what he had an idea.

I should be sleeping
'Stead of keeping
These late hours I've been keeping
I've been pacing and retracing
every step of every move
even though I'm feeling so right
I'm so happy still I know I
should be sleeping
instead of dreaming about you



Monday morning came and to no surprise of Veronica she never did hear from AJ. She listened to the local radio station on the way in to see if maybe the boys would be on.

“You’re listening to 92.7 fm, and as most of you know we were supposed to have the Backstreet Boys on this morning, however there’s a been a change of plans. Something got pushed back on our end it looks like we’ll be having them on the show tomorrow instead. I hope we didn’t upset too many of you crazy fans out there, but hey that means they’ll be in town for one more night.”

“Figures.” Veronica said as she pulled into the parking garage of her office building. “Oh today is just going to be a great day, I can just tell.” Her sarcasm streaming through her words. She walked into her office, and she of course was the first person there. She went through her normal morning ritual and got her many files ready for the day. Mondays were usually her busy as her boss liked to go into the office on the weekend and leave her much to do. Before she knew it, it was past lunch and close to 4 o’clock. “Just one more hour.” Just then there was a knock on the door.

“I have a delivery for a Miss … Veronica, just Veronica.” She looked up from her desk.

“That’s me.” She said unsure.

“Sign here.” She signed and he handed her a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

“Who in the world?” Veronica searched for the card. The card was blank except for a phone number. She held the card for a moment trying to decide what to do. Finally she gave in and picked up her cell phone and dialed the number. It rang and rang and rang. Finally someone picked up, but didn’t say anything. “Hello?” No response. She hung, ‘well that’s just weird.’ Not even 30 seconds later her phone rang. It looked at the caller ID and sure enough it was the number on the card. “Hello?”

“Hey, so I got your number.” Her mouth dropped as she heard the words come from his raspy voice.

“Only because I called you first.”

“True, but you just said I had to find you, and I did. I win.”


Song – Should Be Sleeping By: Emerson Drive