The Secret Singer

Chapter 17

**Picture of Rockefeller Center**

**Video: Treasure by Bruno Mars**

Stephanie's POV

It's been a crazy holiday break, but I can honestly say I've never been happier. Becoming Collin's girlfriend has brought out a side of me that I'd thought was buried with my mother. The one that was confident, and didn't let anything bring her down.

It is now the 23rd and the starlight party is tomorrow, meaning Collin has been pretty busy the last two days getting everything ready for tomorrow. We haven't been able to go on our first date, but we both decided to have it today as a way to relax before the craziness that tomorrow will bring. I'm going insane thinking of what to wear, because all Collin would tell me is that I will need to dress warmly and casually.

Amy and Jess are absolutely no help, because all they want to do is lay on my bed watching She's the Man, or more accurately, at Channing Tatum in it. I roll my eyes and walk over to the huge closet and take a deep breath before looking for a cute outfit.

I finally decide on a sky blue sweater with dark wash skinny jeans and some knee length, gray boots. I put on a big, gray jacket and my mom's charm bracelet. Once my hair is in a sleek ponytail and I've put on some minimal makeup, I go out and get two thumbs up from both Amy and Jess.

I sit with them as I wait for Collin to come, and I remember when I told Amy and Jess that Collin and I are dating. Their eyes opened wide and looked at me in shock. When they recovered they tackled me on the couch and made me tell them every detail of him asking me out. Obviously I left out Collin's confessions, after all those were private secrets that he allowed me to hear and I would never break his trust like that.

Anyways, it was pretty much a squeal fest when I told them everything, and even though Collin and I haven't been able to go on a date until today we've still been close. We snuggle and talk a lot about anything that we feel we can't tell anyone else but needs to be taken off our chest. No kissing has happened either, and that's mostly because I wanted our next kiss to be after our first date. I can't wait, and I've literally been struggling to not just grab him and kiss him senseless. But can you really blame me? The man is gorgeous, and boy does he know it!

The sound of knocking on the front door wakes me up from my musings, and I rush to open it. I swing it open, and there stands an adorably flushed Collin with a bouquet of stargazer lilles in his hand. I take them gratefully with a kiss to his cheek and pass them to Amy who gives me a wink. I shake my head. Of course Amy would tell him what my favorite flower is. In truth, I'm happy he didn't go for the traditional roses. They're just so overused that I think most guys get it these days because it's the easiest thing to buy. It doesn't show thought. Collin going and getting my favorite flower makes all the difference in the world.

I grab my purse and hug both Amy and Jess quickly before taking Collin's hand and leaving the hotel. We pass the grumpy desk lady on our way out who gives us a withering glare before facing the next poor sucker in line. I make a mental note to see if I can bake something that'll cheer her up before Christmas.

Collin gives the valet a ticket and he comes back to us in a red Maserati. He opens the passenger seat door for me, then gets into the driver's seat and whisks us off into the unknown.

"So, this is a nice car." I tell him as I run my hand down the plush, leather seats. Collin chuckles.

"It is, isn't it? This is my baby. Got her right after I made my first million." He says with pride. I choke and begin coughing.

"Your first million!" I wheeze out. He looks at me weirdly.

"Yeaah," he says slowly.

I shake my head. I mean, I know Collin is rich. He is after all a very well-known pop star that sells millions of albums and always has sold out concerts. I guess I just never really thought about how truly rich he is. It makes me feel a little inferior to be honest, because I'm not anywhere near as amazing as he is. Not only was he able to move on from his father's death, but he also became something and didn't let fear and anger from the deaths he experienced rule him like I did. What could I possibly have to offer that any other girl in the world could give him?