I don't get all the mystery attached to the furnace encounter. Nicole and Eric have a history, this is true, but they were trapped in an inferno thinking they were going to die and had only each other to cling to. Thinking death was eminently their destiny, admitted they still had feelings for one another, sealing it with a steamy hot kiss, but they didn't go all the way.
I like Daniel for the most part but NEWS FLASH he's not that much of a catch, especially after the cruel way he has treated Nicole. Just be honest about the whole thing, because it's going to come out when they're walking down the aisle.