"You felt it once before, I know you did. I can see it."

Being professional proved to be a lot more difficult once Hey Monday arrived at the AP photoshoot and sound check. The men of Hey Monday acted normal, with gleeful attitudes as they greeted the people on stage, but Cassadee felt her breath hitch more than once in her throat.

Because there Rian was, unaffected, drinking coffee. He was laughing alongside Matt and Jack and had not seemed to notice that she was there yet.

Thank goodness. That might give her time to think.

How was someone – mind, someone who had slept with the person the night before – supposed to stay calm if they came face to face with said person? What happens in the story if they work together? Do they get past it? Or, is it painfully awkward?

Cassadee stepped farther onto the stage before another thought struck her. However, instead of it being a peaceful thought, this caused her eyes to widen and shift around.

Did Rian tell the rest of the boys about this?

Fuck, she didn't even think about that happening. That just added to the list of people who wouldn't let her live this down.

But somehow, she calmed herself before worry or fear crossed her face. Okay, so what? If they knew, they weren't the type of people to just tell an entire crowd. They respected her more than that. Or, she hoped they did.

No, surely they did. They were all friends, not enemies.

"Great, everyone is here!" The woman from AP seemed very frazzled, yet professional as she began to usher people towards the back of the stage. "Okay, I'm going to get a few shots of the bands separately, and then a few of you together. Try to act like you're having fun. The theme for this issue is "Fun for Summer" since the May tour season has just started. We are going to stay for the show tonight, so we won't need many action shots for now." She paused and took a deep breath. And if you don't mind, we might do some interviews today. Okay, Hey Monday come on up!"

Cassadee decided to hold her head high as she started towards the camera set up. It was a little nerve-racking to keep her eyes forward and not glance towards Rian, but she managed to do it.

But this was difficult.

Really difficult.

Because right now, even as Cassadee stood in the instructed formation with the rest of Hey Monday, she could still feel hiseyes. Why was he staring so much?

She shifted in a rather uncomfortable manner, but tried to keep it casual – and it was seemingly unnoticed – as the woman from AP snapped more photos.

That wasn't such a big deal. It couldn't be. They were adults, not children. In that moment, Cassadee decided that regardless of how unbelievable she suspected her thoughts were or how literally unacceptable she realized her body was behaving, she had to drop it.

"Great, great!" The camera flashed a few more times before the frazzled woman spoke again. "Now, how about the boys from All Time Low mix in? Make it look friendly, people! We are all close here!"

Oh, if only she knew.

But then, panic presented itself as Cassadee shifted her eyes calmly – but no, not really calm at all – towards All Time Low and she just barely managed to avoid eye contact with the still gazing Rian. And now, as the four boys began to laugh and mingle with the rest of her band, her panic may have become more noticeable.

But with that panic, she had also managed to grab a hold of two of her band mates, Chris and Mike and pull them towards her in a big hug.

Maybe then, Rian wouldn't steal his way next to her. Not that he would, anyway.
"Awe, we love you too," was the only thing she heard Mike say as he and a laughing Chris hugged her tighter for the camera.

Several photos had passed, the next one more energetic than the last. Even though Cassadee had her arms around her two bandmates, she could notice the remaining boys shuffling around in the picture frequently.

By now, Alex and Zack had managed to pull Matt into the frame, disregarding his protest. Patrick and Lipshaw were now toppling over one another to look manlier. Chris and Mike had released themselves from her grip and were now trying to look "aesthetic" for the camera. Jack was doing random jumps behind her, and Rian was showing off his big – beautiful – smile somewhere in the background.

And here Cassadee was, smiling and relieved as she posed by herself on the prop bench.
But this was normal, right? Things were not awkward! She had successfully survived this without –

Her thoughts were cut off by the AP photographer calling for a break.

Apparently, it was too soon to expect things to not be awkward, seeing as when she called for break, Cassadee found herself being accompanied on the bench.

"It's very obvious that you're trying to not look at me."

She stiffened, but still didn't look at him. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh? Then look at me." It came off as husky and slightly pleading and it made her close her eyes.

Cassadee's mouth tightened into a thin line as she turned towards him, reopening her eyes. He was calm, his head tilted to the side. He had raised an eyebrow, not hiding his smugness.
"See? That wasn't very hard, was it?"

It was, actually. Here he was, looking at her and seeing her react in the way he probably hoped. But damn it what had gotten into her? Rian Dawson was defiantly too smug – gosh, it was overwhelming, but in a good way almost.

Why was she thinking these things?

"You've got to stop acting like something happened," she said, her voice now low as well. "I'm trying to be professional."

"And you're doing very well at it." At that, he was showing his famous smile, now leaning toward her as if sharing a secret. "But you do know that something did happen, right?"

"Okay, fine. It happened. But this awkwardness needs to stop, okay? Because I can't go on this entire tour with us acting like this."

"What are we acting like? It's awkward if you make it awkward."

"But Rian," she sighed, scooting away from him on the bench. "We aren't together. We had one night – "

"One incredible night."

"Rian."

"Sorry," he paused for a moment, scooting toward her again, "but no. I'm not sorry. Because I know you feel something. I know you do, because I feel it too."

"We had one night. Now it is over. Okay?" Cassadee locked her eyes on Rian as she asked that. All he had to do was answer. That was it. A quick "okay" to show that he understood, and the awkwardness would be gone. They could go back to normal.

When he didn't answer, Cassadee signed again. He was looking at her intensely now, so she tried again, "It's done with, okay – "

"Go on a date with me."

"What?"

"Go on a date with me. And if you hate it, I'll leave you alone."

She closed her eyes, annoyed. Why is he making this so difficult? All she was trying to do was end the awkwardness. Right then, he grabbed her hand.

The feeling was there. It was quick, but she noticed. There was a certain fire there as his fingers traced the top of her wrist and went over her hand. It was not lust, really. It was bubbly.It was a feeling that she hadn't experienced in a while. Was she smiling? On instinct – or because it was almost too persuading– she pulled her hand back.

When she opened her eyes, she almost flinched away from him. His face was closer to hers, but he wasn't trying to kiss her. It was almost like he was studying her face.

"I like to see when pleasure comes through in your smile." And then, he got even closer, a hint of a smirk on his lips. "And I really like knowing that I'm the cause of it."

She didn't move like she thought she would. She was still as he leaned into her very slowly. His hand was now interlocked with hers and he tilted his head deeper.

But why wasn't she moving?

"Kiss me."

Fuck. Why was she not moving?

Cassadee instantly scooted away from him and tore her hand from his. But he wasn't making much of a reaction. Just that same intense stair.

"I need to...um," she tried to make some sort of excuse, but instead she stood up rather clumsily and started towards the front of the stage. Thank goodness, he wasn't chasing after her. She need time to think. Or something. Anything. Because now, she was very confused.
She didn't date musicians anymore. She didn't date anyone right now. She wanted to focus on music...not men. Especially not men who are extremely handsome and seem to be everything she thought a good boyfriend ought to be.

Well, hell. Now she was all messed up. She needed to focus, not obsess. She needed to not get her heart hurt by someone she had to spend the entire summer with. Not that he would hurt her...but, he could? Any man could.

But then...he almost kissed her. Again. And she hadn't moved away. This had been happening a lot lately. Damn his charm!

This might be a lot harder and more confusing than she thought.

Notes

I love you all! Have a great night!