�I�m tired too,� Destiny replied yawning, as she and Brian got up. �Thanks for supper, Kevin.�
�Anytime,� Kevin said.
�Later guys,� Brian said and he and Destiny left.
�I�m going to get a drink,� Sunshine said getting up. �Anyone want anything?�
�I�m fine,� Howard said. �I�m going to go too. If you�re ready, V.�
�Yeah,� Venus said. �I need to shower.�
�Alrighty then,� Sunshine said. �How about the rest of you?�
�I�ll take something,� Josephine said, as Venus and Howard got up. �Bye you crazy lovebirds.�
�Later,� Howard and Venus said and Howard said to Sunshine, �I hope you come to New York.� As he walked away Sunshine just watched him confused, as Nickolas looked at her and raised an eyebrow and the others started laughing.
�Are you getting me that drink, Sunn?� Josephine asked interrupting.
�Yeah,� Sunshine replied.
�I�ll take a drink too,� Danielle said.
�How about you boys?� Sunshine asked looking at Nickolas, Alexander, and Kevin.
�Sure,� Kevin said.
�I�ll give ya a hand,� Nickolas said getting up and following Sunshine inside, as Kevin and Danielle looked after them.
�What if something�s going on between those two?� Alexander suggested.
�Just like something�s going on between Sunn and Howie,� Josephine said. �Get over it, Alex, you silly little goosekin.�
�You are so cute,� Alexander stated. �Why is that?�
�Oh, I don�t know,� Josephine said. �I was just born cute.�
�Whatever,� Danielle said and they all laughed.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sunshine stood at the bar and looked at Nickolas, as he looked her. She poured ice tea into the glasses and smiled, as Nickolas smiled. Sunshine filled the last three glasses and walked over to the refrigerator. She went to put the tea in, but Nickolas stopped her and she looked at him.
�Is there something going on with you and Howie?� Nickolas asked catching Sunshine off guard and she looked at him confused.
�No way,� Sunshine said putting the tea in. �Why?�
�Because Howie�s just acting weird. Well he is weird, but he�s just acting weirder, ya know. Especially around you.�
�Nothing�s going on, Nicky.�
�Ok.� She went to walk away and he grabbed her and kissed her. �So it doesn�t matter if I do this then.�
�Nuh-uh.� She kissed him in return and moaned into his mouth. They kissed a moment and then Sunshine pulled away. He just looked at her a second then she smiled. �So.�
�So.� He smiled. �Kevin finally realized you two weren�t an item and it would never work.�
�Yeah; this morning actually.�
�Really?� She nodded. �What made him realize it?�
�The way we were looking at each other.� He nodded. �He knows everything.�
�You mean everything?� Sunshine nodded.
�Sunn, hurry up with those drinks!� Josephine yelled.
�I�m coming!� Sunshine yelled back, as her and Nickolas each grabbed two glasses and went out to the patio.
�What took you two so long?� Alexander asked.
�We were banging on Kevin�s table,� Sunshine said sarcastically and rolling her eyes. �Do ya mind?� She shook her head. �We were talking if ya need to know.� She handed Kevin his drink. �Here�s your drink, Alex. So drink it and shut up. We�re in the middle of a very important conversation so if you�ll excuse us.�
Nickolas opened the patio door just as Josephine asked, �Why can�t we listen?�
�Because,� Sunshine and Nickolas said in unison and went inside. They walked back to the kitchen and Sunshine said, �Where were we?�
�You were telling me that Kevin knows everything,� Nickolas stated.
�Right,� Sunshine said. She told Nickolas the whole conversation she and Kevin had. After she was done, Nickolas just sat there not saying a word and Sunshine said, �He wanted you to know he knew all along so he told me to tell you.�
�I feel like scum right now,� Nickolas said.
�I feel the same way.�
�He knew all along and didn�t say anything. But why? Is that why he was acting strange and shit around us?�
�Yeah; he thought I�d deny it and end up hating you for what you said. He also saw that kiss in front of the fireplace. Along with everyone else.�
�I�that�it�s��
�I know how ya feel.�
�He had to be humiliated. I mean, the girl he believes is his girlfriend is kissing one of his best friends on his parlor floor and everyone sees it.�
�He didn�t say anything. He just knows that we won�t ever work.�
�I�m glad.� She smiled. �I guess we can all rest easy now that Kevin knows.�
�Yeah.� They smiled.
�Are you coming to New York?�
�I told ya, someone has to give me a very good reason to.� They continued smiling, as the others walked in.
�I�m tired,� Danielle said putting her glass in the sink.
�So go to bed,� Sunshine said.
�We�re going to go,� Alexander said putting his arm around Josephine.
�See ya,� they all said, as they walked out.
�I�m going to hit the road too,� Nickolas said getting up. �See ya tomorrow.�
�Bye,� Sunshine said watching him walk out. �I�m going to hit the sheets.� She put her and Nickolas� glasses in the sink. �Goodnight.�
�Goodnight,� Danielle and Kevin said, as Sunshine walked out.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sunshine turned the television on and turned the bed covers down. She stood at the mirror and put her hair in two braids at the sides. She walked back over to the bed and went to climb in when there was a knock. She just looked and heard it again. It wasn�t at the door, but at the window. She sighed and slowly walked over. She moved the curtain a little and saw Nickolas looking in. He smiled at her and she opened the window up.
�What are you doing?� Sunshine asked.
�Giving you a reason to come to New York,� Nickolas replied and Sunshine shook her head and walked away. Nickolas climbed inside and closed the window, as Sunshine looked at him. �Mmm�wow! You look hot.� She just looked at him and raised an eyebrow. �That�s what happened to my Warren Sapp jersey.� She nodded.
�It got mixed up with my things somehow so yeah�I wear it to bed.� He nodded and walked over to her. �It smells like you so yeah, ya know.�
�You look good.�
�I thought so too.�
�And those cute little braids ya got going on.� He grabbed her braids and pulled her to him. �I think I just might have to spend the night, Sweets.�
Sunshine bit her lip and Nickolas leaned down and kissed her neck. That tingly feeling she got around Nickolas was just getting worse with each kiss he placed on her neck. She sighed delightedly and Nickolas took her mouth in a kiss. He picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist, as he carried her over to the bed. He laid her back on it and she took him with her. She wasn�t about to ruin this moment and leave him go. She didn�t have the strength to leave him go.
�Nick��
�Sunnie.� Nickolas took his hand up Sunshine�s leg and he made it underneath the jersey. She pushed his hand down and they looked at each other. �Sorry.�
�I�m just not ready, Nick.�
�I understand.�
�I hope ya do.�
�I do so don�t worry about anything.� She nodded and kissed him again, as the door opened.
�Hey, Sunnie Jo, can I use your nighttime face cream,� Danielle asked and they both looked. They all looked at each other, but it didn�t faze Danielle any, as she walked over to the mirror. �I think I�m getting some lines.�
�Um�� Sunshine began looking at Nickolas. �It�s there on the dresser.�
�Thanks,� Danielle said picking it up. �I�ll bring it back.�
�Yeah,� Sunshine said, as Danielle walked out and closed the door. Sunshine and Nickolas looked at each other and started laughing. �Oh my God.�
�That was�� Nickolas began.
�Interesting.�
�Something like that.�
�If that was anyone else they�d still be in this room flipping out or something.�
�Yeah.� He kissed her and got off her and went to get up. �Where are ya going?�
�I should go.�
�Why? Stay and watch this movie with me. You can leave when it�s over.� He just looked at her. �Please.�
�Alright.� He laid beside her on the bed and she cuddled next to him. He put his arms around her and she covered them both up with the blanket.
�Besides, I need a reason to go to New York tomorrow.�
�I thought I just gave ya one.� She looked at him and smiled. He grinned and kissed the tip of her nose. She continued smiling and looked back at the television.
CHAPTER 25
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