chapter fourteen"Oh! I forgot to tell you, Lauren!" Howie exclaimed over the phone.
Lauren switched the phone to the other ear. She continued to scrub the dirty dishes that filled her sink. "What?"
"We're having a joint birthday party for Nick and AJ. You game?"
"Does Nick have to come?" Lauren joked.
"Lauren...What went down with you two happened months ago. We are all friends here. You two are both adults now, the least you can do is be in the same room together."
"D, last two times I was in the same room with Nick it just ended in misery."
"That's because you're not trying."
"That's beside the point. Tell me about the party, okay?"
"This Friday, Kev's place, 6:30 sharp."
"Want me to bring anything?" she asked, turning off the faucet and wiping her wet hands off on a towel.
"Nah, Brian and I got it perfect."
"What would they want for presents? I'm not good at these things."
"AJ would probably say he'd want a lap dance, but I'm sure you're not up to that."
"I'll just get them the traditional money-in-the-card jazz. Screw all the hassle," Lauren said with a grin.
"That's the Lauren way!" Howie exclaimed sarcastically. "Gotta go. See you Friday."
------------------- Everything was perfectly ready. Lauren came to Kevin's place at 4:30 and set everything up with Howie and him. Brian came in at five o'clock with his arms full of bags. Jessica was right behind him with grocery bags, too. They took over the kitchen and made the dinner and little finger foods. Howie was preparing himself to pick up AJ and NIck without seeming too obvious. He left at six to pick the Birthday Boys up. Kevin maintained everything else with a few tips from Lauren.
Lauren stood up, talking casually to Kevin with a glass of white wine in one hand. Kevin was amazed by how gorgeous she looked. She had on a white collared shirt, with all but the first few buttons buttoned, intentionally letting a peek of a black lace bra show. She wore a tight black skirt, knee-high black boots and trendy black-rimmed glasses on. She had straightened her brown hair and pulled it into a casual twist. She looked very business-like, but very sexy.
"You look gorgeous, Lauren," Kevin commented, giving her one more look over.
Lauren smiled. "You too, Mr. Richardson." He had a nice pair of khakis on with a tight black sweater, revealing a chiseled chest underneath.
Jessica almost skidded across the kitchen floor into the living room. "Show time, y'all!"
Kevin and Lauren exchanged excited glances and took their places with the Littrells. Lauren grinned when she heard AJ loudly complaining about having to "wait for Kevin's old, geezer ass." Apparently Kev heard him too as he muttered some expletives under his breath. Lauren smacked his arm.
When they finally got to the living room, all four shouted, "Surprise!" and almost freaked the shit out of AJ and Nick. Howie stood there with a complacent look on his face.
"Well, you sure know how to get a guy to jump out of his skin," AJ commented.
Lauren walked up to AJ and gave him a large hug. "Happy Birthday, Alex." She kissed his lips amicably.
AJ looked her over and teased, "Girl, you look so scandalous."
Lauren laughed and rolled her eyes. Then, very maladroitly, she walked over to Nick. "Happy Birthday," she said bashfully. She leaned over and gave a polite hug to him.
"Thanks...this is great that y'all went to all this trouble," Nick said. He avoided her eyes.
"Aww! I knew there were such things as miracles!" Jessica exclaimed loudly. She slung her arms clumsily around the two and continued, "It's a bloody miracle. Hell has now frozen over and the Ex's are finally making conversation." Jessica looked over at Nick. "It's about time."
Lauren looked up at Howie. He had his hands on his hips with a "Was-That-So-Hard?" look written all over his face. Lauren rolled her eyes and Howie grinned.
"Who's hungry?" Brian announced.