Josephine interrupted Howard�s thought by asking, �Howie, do you believe that we�ll ever have love like Sunn and Nick?�
�Do you mean the love that�ll get us through anything and last a lifetime?�
�Yeah.�
�I�m hoping.�
�Do you think we�ll ever get married?�
�Maybe someday.�
�That�s all I wanted to know.� She kissed him and he wrapped his arms around her. �Howie, I love you.� Howard didn�t know what to say, as they kissed and the door opened. They looked at Nickolas walked in.
Nickolas closed the door and walked down to the parlor asking, �Is Sunnie here?� He saw Howard.
�She�s in her room where she�s been for the past 500 hours,� Josephine replied.
�Is she sick?� He didn�t take his gaze from Howard.
�I don�t know. The only time she came out was when I got back and she only stayed for a moment. To be honest, it looked like she was crying.�
�Crying?�
Josephine just nodded, as Nickolas started to walk back to Sunshine�s room. Josephine put her arms around Howard and said, �Where were we? Oh yes, I remember.� She kissed him and he kissed her.
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Nickolas knocked on Sunshine�s door so not to startle her. When there was no answer he opened it up and went inside. He found Sunshine lying on the bed sleeping. Her hair was wet and she was just wrapped in a towel. A picturesque moment that turned Nickolas on. Nickolas smiled and walked over to the bed. He looked her over then sat beside her. He went to stroke her hair, but she moved and opened her eyes. He smiled at her and went to kiss her, but she turned away.
�What�s wrong?� He was confused now.
Sunshine didn�t say anything as she got off the bed. Nickolas watched her walk to the bathroom and close the door. He stayed sitting on the bed thinking. He looked at the night stand and saw the picture of him and Sunshine. He smiled, then saw Sunshine�s engagement ring. He picked it up and wondered why she wasn�t wearing it, since she said she only took it off to do the dishes and clean it to make it shine.
�You�ll probably want that after you hear what I have to say.�
He looked at her. �Why would I?�
She didn�t answer at first as she put her jewelry back on. She just stood at the dresser with teary eyes. Nickolas walked over and stood behind her. He took her left hand and put the ring back on her finger then kissed her cheek. She walked from him saying, �You may never want to do that again.�
�What�s up with this kind of talk?� She turned and looked at him so he could see her crying eyes. �Sweets, you�ve been crying. What�s wrong?�
�Mostly everything.�
�What has you so upset?�
�Howie and I talked earlier today. We talked about the other day at Kev�s. Nick, promise me you won�t flip out on anybody. Swear to God on the Holy Bible before I tell you this.�
�I swear to God on the Holy Bible that I won�t flip out on anybody.�
�Thank you.�
�What is it?�
�Well, when Howie was here, he admitted that he still loves me. I asked him what he wanted from me and then he kissed me.� Nickolas could feel the anger build up in him and Sunshine saw it in his eyes. She hesitated a moment before continuing, �I�m not going to lie to you�but I kissed him in return.� Nickolas just looked at her in shock mixed with anger and she quickly added, �It was only for a second and I pushed him away and slapped him. I knew I�d be betraying you and I didn�t want that. I still feel so guilty about it.� New tears slid down her cheeks.
�That all?�
�I told him I couldn�t love him the way I love you. And that you�re my life and without you I�d be lost.� He just looked at her for the longest time. He was hurt, upset, angry, humiliated, disgusted, betrayed� �Will you please say something?�
�I don�t know what to say, Sunnie, but I�m glad you told me.�
�I know you�re upset. Kissing D meant nothing to me and I�d take it back if I could even if it only lasted a second. You have to believe me. I�d never lie to you.� Nickolas looked at her and reached over and wiped her eyes. �What�s going to happen to us, Nicky?� More tears fell. �Is our love strong enough to get through this?�
�I�m not sure.� He walked to the door.�
�Nicky, wait. Where are you going?�
�I need sometime to think.�
�But I love you.�
�And I love you. I just�� He opened the door.
�Wait.�
�What?�
�You�re going to want this.� She took the ring off and held it out to him.
�You keep it.� He gave a little grin and went out the door. Sunshine slowly put the ring back on her finger and prayed to God that everything would be all right between them. She sat on her bed and tried her best not to cry.
CHAPTER 37
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