Well, the competition is over. It feel so weird to not be working on a dance, to not be rehearsing, or choreographing dance numbers in my mind.

Our night started out with the East Coast Swing. It was much better this time around and I changed up the end of the choreography so it was slightly different. The judges couldn't get over how much better Josh was compared to week one. Our second dance was the Cha Cha to "Can't Fight the Moonlight." I think this was the crowd pleaser. Josh and I really played up our chemistry on this one and when the song was over and the lights went out for our did-they-didn't-they kiss, the crowd went wild. Everyone loved it. Our final number was a freestyle based on the Jive to "Zoot Suit Riot." We had the most fun on this one and I think the audience had fun watching us. There were some group numbers and then it was time for the results.

I have never been so nervous in my life. I was standing there, holding on to Josh's arm, and the seconds that we waited as Mona paused before reading the results felt like hours. My heart was pounding, my mouth was dry, I needed to hold on to Josh because I felt weak. Luckily we were put out of our misery and the results were announced. Josh and I WON!!!!!!!!!!!

I hugged him and he picked me off the floor and spun me around. It almost felt unreal. I really felt like I was dreaming. It was kind of a whirlwind after that.

Our after party was at Angelo's. We ate, danced, celebrated. Jen and J.D. were really good sports about coming in second and they helped us celebrate. We were all pretty happy. Mona gave Josh, Jennifer, J.D. and I each a "gift" that was pretty nice. She made a lot of money this summer off the competition and she shared a little bit of the wealth with us.

The only thing that was kind of crappy was that there were so many people there that I could hardly get more than a few seconds at a time with Josh. His family, my family, his friends, my friends all wanted our time, and all I wanted was to find out about our post-competition, the-pact-is-over, relationship.

We were out pretty late and he drove me home at the end of the night. He walked me to the door and thanked me for teaching him how to dance. He told me it was the most adventurous summer he's ever had, then he told me that he hasn't had a boring summer since he met me. We stood outside on Aunt Lu's front porch for a long time talking and then he said, "So the next few nights are kind of busy but I thought on Sunday maybe we could go out for dinner."

I was really nervous at that point and I said, "Dinner?" He smiled and started to tease me. He said, "You know, we go, we order, they bring us food and we eat." So I said, "Alone? Just the two of us?" He smiled at me and said, "Well, I think it's about time, don't you?" So Josh and I have a date Sunday night.

He was about to leave and I was getting frustrated. I kept thinking, he's not seriously going to leave without kissing me! I mean, after all that we've been through and after the kiss last week, I have been waiting for another moment like that. He turned to walk away and I was thinking, No! Come back. You cannot leave!!!! He stopped though, turned around, walked over to me and pulled me into his arms for another amazing kiss.

I felt kind of bad because he had to work today and I kept him outside talking forever, but I couldn't let him go.

Tonight I had dinner with my father. He told me that he's been sober for three months now. I was shocked but maybe my mom leaving him was the wakeup call that he needed.

Anyway, this afternoon he called me and told me that I had to bring Josh to dinner. Josh was working tonight so I knew that wouldn't happen but I figured maybe he'd meet us for dessert. I stopped by the swim club this afternoon and as soon as I saw him I started to get nervous and act like and idiot. I could barely have a normal conversation. I swear, I'm so socially inept sometimes.

I was trying to ask him to meet up for dessert and I could barely get it out. Finally, he was like, "Nicole, what are you trying to ask me?" So I went on about how I know he's exhausted, and how I know he doesn't like my father. He was trying to be patient but he said my name in that just-say-it kind of way so I asked him. And then he smiled and said, "Sure. 9:00?" Why do I make things harder than they have to be?

I had dinner with my father. It was actually really nice, and then we went to Angelo's and met Josh for dessert. We didn't stay too long, but it went better than any meal I've ever had with both of them at the same time. Josh has never been rude to my father, but he doesn't trust him and doesn't particularly like him. But tonight was good.

Josh drove me home afterwards. We stood outside looking up at the stars for a little while. It's the first night we've seen stars in a while. I thanked him for going out with us and he kissed me and told me "any time."

So things seem like they are on the right track. I'm still impatient to see how things shake out. I guess I'll know more after Sunday night and dinner.