A week later. . .
"I'm sick of it Nick," Ohniece said as she paced their livingroom. Nick sat on the sofa watching her as she moved from one side of the room to the other.
"You should see them together sometimes. They practically have to be forced to acknowledge the other one's presence and when they do it usually ends up in an argument or just complete silence. This is what you guys had to deal with up there in Sweden everyday?" she said.
"Well not everyday. Just when they were together. Once they almost actually got into a fight," he said.
"I decided to just stop trying to make them hang out together. Do you realize what kind of position this puts me in? I have to try and be there for both of them. . . . separately. I can't be a friend to them separately. Do you know what's going to happen?" she said as if he didn't reply at all.
"Yeah I think-" Nick started.
"What if Christel ask me to go somewhere with her but I already have plans with Chinita for the same day? You know what that means don't you?"
"Yeah you'll have to-" Nick started again.
"I'll have to tell Christel �No' and go with Chinita but Christel will be upset. Then they'll be competing for my time and then my friendship. What am I going to do? Are you even listening to me?"
"Yes Niecey I'm listening to you. I've been listening to you this whole time as you paced a hole into our floor," he said. He went to where she continued to pace, took her shoulders into his hands and guided her to the sofa.
"Now they've gotten to the point where I ask one of them out they ask if the other is going to be there. Then if I say �yes' they come up with some stupid excuse not to be there and I'm sick of it. Do you know one of Christel's excuses was that she had to wash her hair? Wash her hair!! I know her well enough to know that she would do anything to get out of having to wash her hair."
"You need to calm down. Christel and Chinita will work things out."
"Yeah, I know they will because I'm going to help them," she said as she lunged from the sofa.******
Christel giggled. Kevin had been working his way down her body and had just reached her navel.
"That's not the reaction I was going for," he said as he kissed her navel.
"I know," she laughed, "but it tickled."
"Really? I think it was doing more than just tickling a minute ago. . . at least that's what the neighbors thought," he said moving back up her body to capture her lips.
"I wasn't that loud," she said breathlessly.
"What? You'll have to speak louder into this ear I think that one is a little weak," he said grinning down at her.
"Very funny mister, oh now we got jokes, huh? Well it's not like you were quiet as a church mouse," she said poking him in his side.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he said looking as serious as a preacher. One look at his face and she burst into a fit of giggles.
"There you go again with the giggling," he said. Christel was so busy laughing that she didn't notice Kevin's hand slip lower than her belly button.
"I know something that'll stop those giggles," he muttered. Suddenly her laughter turned into a gasp and he smirked as he watched her eyes glaze over with desire.
******
"Niecey what are you going to do?" Nick asked a little apprehensive.
"I'm just going to make a phone call," she replied.
"Uh to who?"
"You'll see."
"I hate it when she gets like that," he said to himself.
"Did you say something, Nick?"
"No. I'm going for a swim you want to join me?"
"Maybe later," she said as she dialed.
******
RING!!!
"Let the machine get it," Kevin muttered against her neck.
"What if it's important?" she said breathlessly.
RING!!!!
"It can't be that important," he said kissing his way down her neck. Christel rolled them both over so she was on top. She kissed him silent.
"Kevin, I'm going to answer the phone. We can't stay in bed all day, anyway," she said as she climbed out of bed grabbing Kevin's discarded shirt and pulling it on.
RING!!!!! She grabbed the phone from the bedside table and plopped down in a chair.
"Why can't we?" Kevin asked.
"Ssshh," she told him. Then said into the receiver, "Hello?"
"Hey Chris it's Niecey," she said.
"Hey girl what's up?"
"Well I was thinking about bringing those cat toys that I had over here to you. Are you busy, right now?"
"No, I'm not busy," she said. Kevin climbed out of bed and was walking past her on his way to the bathroom.
"Yes she is! She was very busy till someone interrupted us," he almost yelled. He had to jump out of the way to avoid Christel's hand from connecting with his behind.
"Uuum was that Kevin?" she asked.
"Yes but you can ignore him just bring the stuff right on over. I'll be here," she said receiving a glare from Kevin who stood in the bathroom doorway. She rolled her eyes at him and finished her conversation with Ohniece.
"Ok see you when you get here," she replied then hung up.
"Does the cat have to have her toys now?" he asked.
"Yes, besides we've been in that bed for the better part of the day we really should get up. Who knows. . . with the cat playing with her toys maybe I'll feel like playing with mine a little later." Christel went into her drawer and pulled out a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt.
"You're such a little tease," he said.
"I'll take that as a compliment. Hurry up in there, I want to be dressed by the time Ohniece gets here," she said.
"We can kill two birds with one stone if you come in here and join me," he replied with a smirk.
"No. . . I can't because then I'd be answering the door wet and in my bathrobe," she said.
"Yeah but with a huge smile," Kevin countered. She couldn't help but laugh.
******
Ohniece hung up from talking to Christel.
"Niecey I know that look, you're up to something," Nick said as he headed out to the pool.
"You're imaging things Nick," she retorted.
"Yeah whatever. Last chance to join me in the pool."
"No, I can't I'm going to take the rest of those toys to Christel's house. If you're still in there when I get back I'll join you then," she said smiling at him. Nick just looked at her and headed on out to the pool. When she heard the back door close she picked up the phone again to make another call.
"Hello? Hey girl it's me Niecey," she said into the receiver.
"Hey Niecey what's up?" Chinita asked.
"Well I'm bored and all Nick wants to do is hang out by the pool. So I was wondering if you wanted to do something."
"Well. . . I could use a break from what I'm doing here. Is it going to be just you and me?"
"Yeah but before we go I gotta drop some stuff off at Christel's place. So I'll just pick you up, head on over to Chris' place, drop this stuff off then we can. . . I don't know go to a movie or something," she said.
"Uuumm sure as long as we don't spend too much time at her house," Chinita replied.
"Great, I'll be there in about fifteen minutes."
"Ok I'll be here." With that Ohniece hung up. Happy that her plan was already in full swing and working well so far.
A half an hour later. . .
Niecey pulled up in front of Christel's place and threw the car into park.
"This won't take long will it?" Chinita asked.
"No it shouldn't take long at all if you help out and grab that scratching post for me."
Chinita sighed inwardly, opened her door and stepped onto the curb. She grabbed the scratching post out of the trunk and followed Ohniece to the door. Ohniece knocked and only waited a moment before the door swung open and Kevin stood in the doorway shirtless.
"Hey Ohniece," he said.
"Hey yourself," she replied stepping into the house.
"And Chinita? I mean. . . uuhh hi," he said.
"It's ok Kevin, you don't have to pretend like I've been coming over here for dinner every night," she said brushing past him.
"I'm going to go get Chris," he said heading upstairs. Ohniece watched him go and couldn't help but make reference to the marks she saw on his back.
"Get into a fight with a wild animal, Kev?" she asked. Kevin stopped in mid stride and turned to shoot her a quizzical look before the light of dawn shone in his eyes.
"Yeah something like that," he replied.
"You might want to put something on those scratches," she called after him. Ohniece heard Kevin's laughter as he ascended the stairs and didn't miss Chinita's intake of breath and her rolling her eyes. When he disappeared upstairs Chinita set the scratching post on the floor.
"Well we dropped the stuff off can we go now?" she asked turning to Ohniece.
"In a minute, I can't just leave and not say hello to my girl," she replied taking a seat on the sofa. Chinita studied her for a minute.
"If you're doing what I think you're doing I'll kill you," she said.
"What are you talking about?" she asked innocently. Chinita didn't say anymore
"Hey Niecey," Christel called as she descended the stairs with Kevin behind her.
"Hey girl, I brought your cat some of her goodies," she replied.
"Geez Niecey looks like you love my cat more than I do," she said.
"Well it's bad enough Nick has all those damn dogs all over the place then there was your cat who decided to make it her mission to tear up my living room furniture. So I bought her a scratching post to keep her off my furniture and a few toys to keep her busy. She was ok for the time that you were gone. The dogs didn't even bother her unless she got in their way. Oh yeah and when do you plan on naming her? I had to keep calling her cat or something," she declared to Christel's surprise all in one breath.
"I'll name her when I think of something to name her," she countered. She let her gaze slip past Ohniece to where Chinita stood near the door looking like she was ready to run at any given moment. Ohniece didn't miss the look at all.
"You didn't say anything to Chinita," Ohniece remarked.
"I didn't know I was supposed to," Christel retorted.
"You don't have to say anything to me because we'll be leaving soon, right Ohniece?" she said from her position by the door.
"Not just yet come on guys let's have a seat and talk." she said. No one moved. Christel and Chinita both looked at Ohniece like she had lost every ounce of her mind. Kevin who had been sitting in an armchair got up and made his way quietly to the kitchen muttering something about feeding the cat. Not that it mattered if he said anything at all, none of the women standing in the livingroom even noticed him leave.
"I should have seen this coming," Chinita said finally.
"Seen what coming? Ohniece what exactly are you trying to pull here?" Christel asked.
"You two need to talk and what better time then right now?" Chinita crossed the room to stand in front of Ohniece.
"I told you that I wasn't going to talk to her, till she came and approached me but she's too damn stubborn for that," she said between clenched teeth.
"I'm not the only one who's stubborn," Christel retorted slightly annoyed by the whole situation.
"Yeah whatever, could have fooled me," Chinita muttered.
"Look Ohniece, I know you thought that this was a good idea but clearly as you can see it's not," she said to Ohniece after shooting a dirty look at Chinita.
"I think if you'd just sit down and talk it out you could get past this," she replied.
"I'm out of here," Chinita said heading for the door.
"Let me guess where you're going. Hhhhmmmm. . . could it be AJ's house?" Christel said mockingly. Chinita turned back and walked right up to her. Fearing there would be blood drown, Ohniece stepped between them.
"You know what Christel? Fuck you!" she spat at her and turned back for the door. Hearing the raised voices Kevin stepped into the room with the cat at his heels.
"Fuck me? Fuck you!!! You can kiss my ass and get the hell out of my house!" she yelled.
"No Chinita don't leave. Kevin could you stop her or something," Ohniece begged. Christel turned shooting Kevin a look that dared him to move, he didn't. Chinita opened the door and slammed out of the house.
"Ohniece thank you for bringing me the cat stuff and all but I think you'd better leave and take the bitch home."
"Christel come on you need to talk to her. I know if you two just sit-"
"No Ohniece, I think it's perfectly clear that it's not happening anytime soon. I also think you'd better go before I'm not speaking to you either." She tried her case again and only succeeded in making Christel angrier. The cat had come up and was rubbing itself against her leg but she was too enraged to notice.
"NO! Ohniece I said I'm not in the mood so just get out and let it go ok?!" she nearly screamed. Ohniece looked from her to Kevin, who held up his hands in defeat turned and left the house.
"I thought you said you weren't going to say anything about Chinita," Kevin said from behind her.
"That was in Sweden, she was in my house this time," she said before bending over to pull the cat into her arms, turning and heading up to her room.
For the next couple of days things between the three women were extremely tense. None of them called the other. Christel was mad at Chinita, something that probably wasn't going to change for awhile. She was merely annoyed with Ohniece's meddling but she wasn't too quick to talk to her either. Chinita was, of course, pissed off at Christel and Ohniece. She didn't want to talk to Christel in the first place much less go over to her house for any reason. However, she knew she would talk to Ohniece before she would talk to Christel. Ohniece wasn't particularly mad at either one of them just annoyed by their stubbornness. She was too afraid to call either of them, she knew the cuss out she was bound to get and she was trying to avoid it like a silver bullet.
******
Several days later. . . .
"Hello, Orlando Sentinel Christel Marshall speaking how may I help you?"
"You sound so professional," said the deep voice that she was all too familiar with.
"Well I am at work after all," she replied as a smile crept across her face.
"Yeah I know. So how is your day going so far?"
"Better, now that you called. What's going on with you?"
"Actually, I have to go to a meeting soon and I was wondering if you wanted to meet me afterward and go to dinner," he replied.
"Sure what time are you going to be out of your meeting?" she asked.
"Uumm about 5pm I think. That's if everything goes ok I guess," he replied.
"You really don't know do you?" she asked.
"No not really but, I do know that we should be out in time for you and I to go get something to eat afterwards," he answered.
"Ok, how about you catch a ride to your meeting with someone and when I get off of work I come and pick you up. We can just go to dinner from your meeting that way we won't have to take separate cars," she suggested.
"Sounds good to me. See ya later, hon," he said.
"Ok see ya Kev," she replied.
******
"Hey, this is Blue Ice Apparel and Accessories you're talking to Chinita state your business," she said as she looked over some of the millions of papers that covered her desk.
"Chinita, this is Howie. I was wondering if I could talk to you about a business proposition," he said.
"What kind of business proposition, Howie? Actually hold on," she said setting her papers aside and putting him on hold. Chinita was in her office of the first Blue Ice Apparel and Accessories. So far she had two including this one which was in Orlando and one in Tampa. The new one that she was opening would be a beach front store in Ft. Lauderdale but it would mostly sell beach apparel and accessories.
"Yes Amy?" she said to one of the employees who stood in her doorway.
"The banners just came. What do you want me to do with them?" she asked.
"Just set them down over there on the floor. I'll take care of them later," she replied. She watched Amy as she carefully laid the banners down before picking the phone up again and hitting the hold button.
"Thank you Amy," she muttered to Amy's retreating form. "Ok Howie I'm all yours."
"Really busy there?" he asked.
"Busy definitely is not the word. I have to schedule a time for me to breathe. So what's up? You said something about a business proposition," she replied.
"Well I was thinking about a business proposal for you," he replied.
"Yeah that much I know but what kind of proposal?" she asked her curiosity piqued.
"I told a friend of mine about your stores, he even visited one of them, and he loved it he was wondering if you'd like to open one in one of his shopping centers," he said.
"Oh Howie as wonderful as that sounds, I couldn't open another store anytime soon. I mean, I have this one opening in a few months and I know I couldn't go through another opening right after this one. Especially this one because it's a new branch of apparel, the one I'm opening now isn't just shirts, skirts, and pants and stuff like that. The new store is bathing suits for male and female plus towels and. . . it's basically beach stuff. So obviously, I have to take on more responsibility. Maybe sometime in the future but not now. Especially after my unscheduled vacation everything was at a stand still while I was gone," she said.
"I know but do me a favor, I have a meeting today with the guys. Would you meet me there? I can just tell you everything you need to know and give you his info. At least think about it before you say �No'. I'm not asking you to open it today," he replied.
"Ok I'll think about it," she retorted.
"I gotta go. I'll talk to you later. Will you meet me after the meeting?" Chinita thought for a moment.
"What time do you want me there?" she asked.
"About 5:30 I think," he said.
"I guess I can drag myself away from this desk by then," she replied.
"Ok see ya then," he retorted before hanging up.
"Bye."
******
Christel grabbed her things and headed to the elevator at the end of the hall. She tried her best to leave on time but knew her boss really couldn't care less about her dinner plans. As the elevator pulled into the garage floor she frantically dug through her purse for her car keys muttering to herself,
"I really hope Kevin's meeting ran late." Just as she rounded the corner she saw one of her co-workers and friend, Bonnie, coming toward her.
"Hey Chris, I haven't seen you all day," she called. No Bonnie not now, she thought.
"Well Ms. Bitch kept me pretty busy today," she replied.
"Oh yeah? Knowing her she probably saved whatever work you missed just for your return," she said with a laugh.
"I wouldn't be surprised. Look Bonnie, I would love to talk to you but I have to go," she retorted.
"Really? Hot date huh?" she asked.
"Yeah something like that. I'll see you tomorrow," she called as she hurried to her car.******
Chinita grabbed whatever she thought would need her immediate attention or whatever she thought she could finish at home and stuffed it in her bag. On her way out she waved her assistant manager, Jessica, over to her side.
"Look Jessica, I gotta go early so you'll have to close up for me. You don't mind do you?" she asked.
"No I don't mind. I'll see you tomorrow," she answered.
"Ok thanks I'll see you tomorrow," she said as she headed out the door. Chinita popped her head back into the store, "Actually, you probably won't see me tomorrow I have some important errands to run. If I do come in it'll be late in the afternoon."
"Well ok," Jessica said and waved as Chinita stepped back out the door.
Chinita unlocked the door to her SUV and slid into the driver's seat tossing her bag into the passenger seat. She stuck her key into the ignition and started the engine. She had a million things on her mind. Ever since Howie called her she mainly had AJ on her mind. She hadn't heard from him since Sweden and as much as she tried to convince herself that she didn't really care if she talked to him or not, she knew it was a lie. She missed him. Even if they didn't end up together, she missed his genuine company. She didn't know what to do. Ohniece told her to just talk to him and tell him but she didn't see that as an option at all. Plus, she wasn't even talking to Ohniece so why should she take her advice. Hoping to get her mind off of AJ she turned on the radio. Obviously, fate was not on her side as "I'll Never Break Your Heart" came blaring out of the speakers. Chinita rolled her eyes and flipped through the stations till she found something that pleased her. She bopped her head to the music and tried to think only of her upcoming store opening as she pulled into the underground parking garage.
She had managed to keep her mind completely off of AJ till she went down another level and spotted AJ's silver Expedition sitting in a corner.
"This is ridiculous," she muttered to herself.
******
The meeting was over and AJ still sat in his chair staring at his hands. He hadn't been much of a willing participant during the meeting and everyone noticed. Howie was wondering if he should hold a mirror under his nose to see if he were still breathing. Nick, who sat next to him, poked him every once in a while until he got a swift kick in the shin stopping all poking completely. The others decided to just leave him in peace.
Howie strode back into the conference room and noticed AJ still sitting where everyone else left him.
"You gonna stay here?" he asked dropping into the seat next to him.
"Are you gonna stay here?" he shot his question back at him.
"I have to meet someone," he replied.
"Then shouldn't you be going to meet them and not bothering me?"
"AJ, we need to talk, man. I know you're still a little angry at me for helping Chinita leave without telling you and I'm sorry but it was her decision not to tell you not mine."
"Yeah D, I know you're sorry. . . you usually are. I'm not really mad at you anymore just slightly annoyed." Howie didn't say anything about AJ's sly remark.
"Well why are you still sitting here?"
"Just thinking. . ." he trailed.
"I have a feeling I know about what," Howie declared.
"Chinita," they said together.
"Look, I asked her to come here today, that's who I'm waiting for. Why don't you wait around and talk to her. It's obvious to everyone that you like her and I think you should just tell her. I mean why is this so hard for you?" Howie told him.
"I don't know. It's different," he said.
"Oh that explains a lot. How is it different?" AJ got up out of his seat and crossed the room to the window to stare at the city below.
"She's different. The relationship I have with her is different from any other woman I've known. . . even Christel," he said.
"Ok. . . you have to explain what you mean," Howie stated.
"I mean at first me and Christel were cool and all but, I knew there were things she didn't tell me and there were things that I didn't tell her either. Then as it went on we started fighting over some of the stupidest things. Sometimes, it seemed like the littlest thing would set us off into a huge argument. You know once we got into an argument over cereal?"
"Cereal?" Howie asked incredulously.
"Yeah cereal. I ate all her Froot Loops one day and she flipped because that's the only kind of cereal she likes and she really wanted them. . . it's a long story." Howie couldn't help but smirk at the idea of arguing over cereal.
"And don't laugh," AJ said without turning from the window. "It may be funny now but at the time it was serious. We didn't talk for days after that."
"Ok man, but cereal? I can't believe that. I guess someone should tell Kevin not to stand between Christel and her Froot Loops," he laughed to himself hoping to get AJ to see the hilarity of the situation. AJ did crack a small smile.
"But with me and Chinita we pretty much don't hold anything back. I think I can safely say that I know everything there is to know about her. Not to say that we don't fight. We've had arguments before but it never got to the point where we would almost say things to hurt each other intentionally. That was more me and Christel's style," he said sadly.
"Well if you and Chinita get along so well, I don't understand. . . why it's so hard for you to tell her?" Howie asked.
"Then we won't have the same relationship that we do now. It won't be a friendship it'll be a relationship. . . we'll become this couple and I like the coolness we have between us now. What if I'm the only one with these feelings for her? What if all she sees me as is a friend? Telling her how I feel will only complicate things," he said still staring out the window.
"Believe me you have no worry of that," Howie muttered.
"What?" AJ asked turning from the window. Howie looked stricken when he met AJ's gaze. He seemed to be struggling with something internally and AJ wanted to know what.
"I-I-I mean. . . it's obvious how much you and Chinita get along. . . that if you wanted to take your friendship further you probably could," Howie stuttered.
"No, I don't think that's what you meant is it Howard?" AJ asked taking a step toward him.
"I really hate when you say Howard like that," he said.
"Don't change the subject," he told him.
"I wasn't changing the subject. I'm just saying that I think if you actually told her how you feel about her she wouldn't be too reluctant to want to go a step further than friendship. . . if she feels the same way about you," Howie said in a rush.
"Howie, you're talking in circles," AJ said turning back to the window in time to see Chinita's midnight blue Dodge Durango pull into the underground garage.
"I'm not talking circles you're just thickheaded," Howie exclaimed letting his patience slip a little.
"What do you mean I'm thickheaded?" AJ asked swinging around to face him.
"You can't even see what's so obvious and right in front of your face. So you're thickheaded," Howie exclaimed losing all patience.
"What are you talking about?" AJ asked.
"Chinita, likes you. I wasn't supposed to tell you that and I've given you all the clues I can without actually coming out and telling you but you're too thickheaded to get it. So there, I've said it. I've told you. It's out there do with that information as you will. Hopefully, you'll stop acting like a fool and just tell her how you feel," he blurted out. AJ seemed to have turned several shades paler than his usual coloring. Howie was wondering if holding the mirror under his nose would be necessary. AJ, taking a few steadying breathes stared at Howie and actually managed to speak.
"Are you serious?" he choked.
"Yeah I'm serious. . . she told me herself. Just like you, she's wondering whether or not she should tell you," Howie replied slumping down into one of the chairs. "What are you afraid of AJ. . . I mean really?"
"I don't know. . .," he breathed.
"I think I know what you're afraid of," Howie said.
"Oh really and what is that, Dr. Dorough?" AJ asked getting some of the color back in his cheeks.
"You're scared. You feel vulnerable around Chinita and you don't like that feeling. . . especially around a woman that's not your mother. You're scared that things might get too serious or too complicated between you and her. I think you might want to go ahead and let things get serious, Alex," he said his gaze boring into AJ's.
"I hate when you say �Alex' like that," he replied.
"Like what?"
"You know. . . in that �Alex, bad boy!' voice," he said wagging his finger mocking Howie.
"Someone had to say it," he replied.
"Yeah ok. . . look uuhh it was nice talking but I should be going," AJ said making his way to the door.
"If I knew that would get you outta here I would have said it a long time ago. Are you at least going to tell her how you feel?" he retorted.
"I'll think about it," AJ said as his hand rested on the doorknob ready to make his retreat. Howie sighed.
"Ok. . . fine your life not mine," he said.
"Exactly," AJ grinned and stepped into the hall.
******
After searching for what seemed like an eternity, Christel finally found a parking space. Quickly, she threw the car into park, hopped out and locked the door. She walked to the elevators that went up to the lobby of the office building. As she got closer she noticed someone stepping onto an elevator that was going up.
"Hey, hold the elevator!" she called breaking into a run, Thankfully, she made it on the elevator.
"Hey thanks for holding. . . oh no," she said as she looked into Chinita's face.
"Believe me if I knew it was you I wouldn't have held it," Chinita replied snidely.
"Look, let's just make this as painless as possible by not talking at all, ok," Christel said.
"Fine with me," she replied.
The elevator began to move as they stared at the numbers in silence. The tension in the elevator was enough to choke both of them. Suddenly, the elevator came to an abrupt halt before they got to the lobby causing both women to grab the wall for support.
"What the hell happened?" Chinita asked.
"How am I supposed to know?" Christel shot back.
"Rhetorical question," she retorted.
"I. . . uuhh. . . think we're stuck," she said pushing some of the buttons. Chinita looked at her alarmed.
"Shit!" she exclaimed.