I absent-mindedly tap my ink pen against the desk as I sit in Johnny’s den. My eyes are focused solely on the telephone in front of me as I relive the conversation I just had over and over in my head.

We’ve had this argument before. She wants more of a commitment, but right now, I can’t give it to her. But this time, it ended differently.

This time . . . . . . . . . it ended period.

A 2 ½ year relationship, gone with one phone call.

I guess I should have saw it coming. The fights have gotten more frequent. The talks more tense. And though I love her with all my heart, I can’t give her what she wants right now.

My eyes move to the woman sitting silently in the living room. She’s heard the whole ordeal, though she hasn’t said a word. She knows that now is not the time.

I reluctantly pull myself out of Johnny’s leather chair and saunter into the living room. Her eyes never move from the television in front of her, but I know she’s watching my every move.

"What’s up Brit?" I ask softly, hoping to avoid any uneasiness she may have regarding the words she just heard between me and Dani.

She looks at me strangely. She knows me well. She knows I’m putting up a front and trying to be strong.

And then she smiles softly, melting my heart.

"Chris," she says sweetly as her smile grows wider, "Why don’t we do something fun today? I mean, Justin’s recording, the guys all went out and Paul and Lisa have the boys out shopping. It’s just you and me baby."

I know what she’s doing. I know she’s trying to make me feel better. And though I really only feel like drowning in my own self-pity, I can’t resist that face.

"Please? It’ll be like old times," she wines and I shake my head, laughing.

"Ok, ok. You win little missy."

Four hours later, Britney is dragging me through Universal Studios with Rob in tow. I can’t help but notice all of the questioning stares we are getting. I’m sure tomorrow, some stupid newsmagazine will report that Britney is cheating on Justin.

As I look over at her, I’m amazed at her grace though I know she sees everyone around us, whispering and snapping pictures.

"Aren’t you worried they’re gonna plaster your face on the National Enquirer tomorrow?" I ask with a laugh.

She stops, turns to me and smiles brightly.

"I could care less anymore. Justin knows I love him and I know he loves me. Everything else is frivolous."

I love her outlook. What you see is what you get. If you love her, she loves you and if you hate her, she still loves you. It’s a winning combination for her.

"So, where to now?" I laugh as I look around the park. I can only imagine what she has in store for me next.

"The Hulk," she squeals as she takes off walking toward the mammoth coaster on the other side of the park.

We stand in line per her request. She’s so normal when she’s offstage. To this day, I’ve never seen her use her fame to get anything. She waits in line with everyone when she goes to the grocery story, she never asks for priority seating at a restaurant. She’s just so . . . . . . real.

As I stand behind her in line, again trying to avoid the constant stares, I hear her start to hum "It’s Gonna Be Me."

"What are you laughing at?" she asks as she turns to me, her eyebrow arched.

"Your amazing humming talent."

She giggles slightly and cocks her head to one side.

"So, Mr. Kirkpatrick, would you rather me sing?"

She gives me no time to answer as she links her arm to mine and begins to sing loudly. I can’t help myself, I have to join in.

The stares become more evident as we stand in line, singing our hearts out. . . . . . between giggles of course.

This woman is truly unique. You have to love her.

We make it to the end of the line and she jumps in, still singing. As I slide in beside her, she looks at me and grins.

"Having fun?"

I have to smile. She’s actually succeeding in keeping my mind off Dani. Only she could do this.

"You’re a gem, Brit. You are a gem."

She screams her way through the ride as I hold on for dear life. I thought she knew I was afraid of heights. Or maybe this is her way of helping me overcome that fear, she seems to be helping me overcome a lot of stuff today.

We exit the ramp and she stops momentarily, placing her hands on her hips. Suddenly, she turns to me, a huge smile crossing her face.

"It’s time for ice cream," she yells with a gleam in her eye.

Before I know it, she’s grabbing my hand and pulling me to a small Ben and Jerry’s stand.

She orders my Cherry Garcia and a Chocolate Fudge Brownie for herself. I grab the pints and carry them to a table by the lake. We eat in silence for a few minutes as Britney stares out at the passing people, her big brown eyes sparkling with delight.

"Thanks Brit."

She turns to me suddenly and a small smile forms on her face.

"Anytime. Besides, I owed you one."

Owed me one?

Britney obviously reads the confused look on my face as she folds her arms on the table in front of her and leans against them.

"The day of the infamous "breakup," she whispers as she makes quote symbols with her fingers, "When I was on tour with you guys. The day Reg and I actually broke up, we were the only ones in the house. Justin was at a photo shoot with Innosence and JC, Joey and Lance had gone to the movies. I got off the phone and walked into the living room crying my eyes out. And you were there for me. You moved heaven and earth that day to make me feel better."

I smile softly as I relive that day with her. I still remember her tears. I still remember how upset she was because he had told her that no one would ever love her. It’s a day I won’t soon forget.

Britney and I officially bonded that day.

"Do you remember what you told me?"

I laugh and nod my head as I realize why she’s did the things she did today.

"You told me that there was nothing that ice cream, a good friend and Nsync songs couldn’t fix."

She laughs and shakes her head as she picks up her spoon and begins to jab it into her ice cream.

"You were right."

She leans back in her chair suddenly and folds her arms across her chest.

"Do you remember what else you told me that day?"

I wrack my mind trying to pinpoint exactly what she’s referring to.

"I said a lot of things that day, Brit."

"You don’t remember, do you?" she laughs as she shakes her head.

"Come on Chris, think about it?"

"I swear Chris, I think of that analogy with everyone’s relationship," she giggles as she finishes reminiscing, "but you know, there’s something I want to add to that."

"What’s that?" I ask softly.

"There’s always the chance that the batter will meet that same pitcher again and things could go differently."

I know immediately she’s referring to me and Dani. She’s holding out some hope that we will give our romance another try.

I nod my head as I look down at the table.

"I’ll keep that in mind, Brit. I’ll definitely keep that in mind."

As night falls upon another beautiful Orlando day, I stand at the doorway watching Justin as he stares intently at the woman he loves. She doesn’t know he’s there as she plays with Jonathan outside.

He smiles, his eyes lighting up as Britney picks Jonathan up and playfully swings him around, both of them giggling constantly.

I quietly walk up beside him and smile at the sight before me. Both of us stand, watching in amazement at the special woman we both cherish so much.

As my mind wanders back to my day of fun with Britney, I look over to my best friend standing beside me.

"Congratulations Justin," I whisper and he turns to look at me suspiciously.

"What?"

"Congratulations," I say again as I motion my glass of lemonade toward Britney outside, "you hit a grand slam."