About a week later, Sunshine and Josephine were at the condo. They had just finished lunch and were doing the dishes. They were both in there own little worlds and not talking. They both jumped when there was a knock at the door. They looked at each other and started laughing. Sunshine dried her hands, as Josephine put the clean glasses in the cupboard. Sunshine walked to the door and opened it up. She just looked when she saw Howard standing there.
Sunshine and Howard just looked at each other then Sunshine said, �I suppose you�re here to see Josephine so come in.�
Sunshine walked away, as Howard said, �Actually I�m here to see you. I want to talk about the other day at Kevin�s.�
�I have nothing to say to you,� Sunshine said, as Josephine walked from the kitchen.
She walked over to Howard and kissed him then asked, �What are you doing here?�
�Uh, I came by to talk to Sunn,� Howard replied.
�Oh,� Josephine said. �Then I�ll leave you two alone and I�ll go pick up my paycheck.� She kissed Howard then walked away.
After Josephine closed the door, Sunshine turned to Howard and said, �I don�t think there�s anything to talk about. I think everything was said and done the other day. Unless you came to get an ass kicking. Other than that I have nothing to say to you except that if you hurt Josephine or if you try to come between me and Nick you�ll be sorry.�
Howard just looked at her then said, �Everything you heard me say was the truth. I ain�t��
�But why say it now when me and Nick are getting married? And we will be married. Why not tell me how you felt when we were together? Instead you tell me you want to be with Jo. What was that all about?�
�Would it have made a difference? Considering you�re in love with Nick.�
�No, but why?�
�I wish I had a straight answer for you. When we were in Paris I realized how strong my feelings were for you. I left it pass until Valentine�s when Josie asked me who I loved more: her or you.�
�You said it was her, but were actually lying, weren�t you?� He didn�t say anything. �Weren�t you?�
�Yes; the last thing I wanted to do was hurt her on Valentine�s.�
�So you�re letting her believe it�s her you love and not me. You are the biggest pussy I�ve ever met. At least Nick had the balls to tell me how he felt in front of everyone. You can�t even do it one on one. What happened to you, Howie? What happened to the kind sweet generous truthful man I�ve known?�
�He fell in love with a very fantastic woman and finally realized it, but most likely to late.�
�What is it that you fucking want from me? I can�t give you anything. I can�t give you what you want.� Howard didn�t say anything, as he walked over to her. Sunshine just glared at him and Howard kissed her. The last thing Sunshine wanted to do was kiss him in return, but didn�t it anyway; but only for a second. �No!� She pushed him away and slapped him across the face.
�What�s wrong?�
�I can�t love you the way you want me to. I�m in love with Nick and I�m going to marry him. He�s my life and without him I�d be lost.� They looked at each other. �Get out!� Howard looked at her a moment, but she only glared at him. She turned her back and he walked to the door. He waited a second then walked out.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Brian had taken a drive and ended up at Danielle�s. A few days ago he had broken it off with Venus for the second time, but lost the nerve to tell Danielle. Now that she wasn�t seeing Kevin anymore he finally got a little strength to tell her. That�s why he was there now, sitting across from her in her parlor, to get it all out in the open.
They sat there in the parlor, both silent. Brian had just revealed how he felt and neither knew what to say next. What could Danielle say after his speech about his undying love for her? She was moved. Touched. Overwhelmed. Speechless. It was a lot to take in.
After many moments of silence, Danielle finally asked, �So you liked me since October 2003, why didn�t I notice this?�
�I hid my feelings from everyone. Including myself. I just didn�t want anyone to know.�
Danielle smiled. �I have a confession myself.� He looked at her. �I liked you since December. I mean I liked you before, but I never realized how much until December.�
�Really?�
�Yeah; so do you want to have dinner?�
�When?�
�Is tonight good? I can make us something.�
�It�s fine.�
�Can you come around six?�
�Yeah.�
�Great; our first real date.�
�I can�t wait.�
�Neither can I.�
�Well I have to go. I still have some things I need to do yet.�
�Alright. I�ll see ya at six.�
�See ya at six.� Brian got up and Danielle walked him to the door. He left and Danielle smiled then skipped to her room to find something to wear.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Venus, Destiny, Kevin, and Alexander were at Venus and Destiny�s that same day. They were all helping Destiny pack up to move into Alexander�s. It was something Destiny and Alexander wanted so nobody tried to stop them.
They were taking a break and discussing Sunshine and Nickolas� engagement. After a brief silence, Destiny asked, �Do you think Sunn and Nick will last to their wedding day?�
�Of course,� Alexander said, as Venus nodded in agreement.
�Definitely,� Kevin replied. �If their love is strong like they say, they�ll make it. No matter what or who gets in their way to break them up.�
�They�ve been through so much,� Venus said. �They deserve to be this happy. It helps that they�re so much in love. Did you ever watch those two?�
�Oh yeah,� Alexander said. �A war couldn�t keep them apart let alone someone getting between them.�
�You�re right, Alex,� Kevin agreed.
�I can�t believe you�re leaving me, Des,� Venus said, changing the subject.
�I�m sorry,� Destiny said. �But I�ll visit and you�ll know where I�ll be. I still love ya though.�
�Sure ya do,� Venus said. �You love Alex now. I�m not important anymore.�
�How can you not love him?� Destiny smirked, as her and Alexander kissed.
�It�s very easy,� Kevin snickered.
�Maybe we should get back to work since you want to get this done today,� Venus suggested.
�I guess,� Destiny said, as the four of them got up. �I�ll be living with Alex by tonight.�
�Yes you will,� Alexander agreed, as they walked to Destiny�s room.
CHAPTER 36
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