It was the day after Howard�s 32nd birthday. They didn�t have a big bash, but just a little get together between friends and family. Josephine and Sunshine didn�t attend since they were in New York doing the Victoria�s Secret photo shoot. They had gotten back late Monday night and didn�t see anyone yet.
Josephine sat alone at the condo watching TV. She was trying not to think of Howard, but found it hard since there were pictures of her and Howard all around the room. She wasn�t crying; only sad. Sunshine and she made a promise that they wouldn�t cry over Nickolas and Howard anymore.
As she sat there watching �Cruel Intentions� she began to think of the first time her and Howard made love. She was dating Nickolas at the time and it was over in Europe. How right it felt to be with him. She wanted nothing more in the world than to spend that night, and every night after, in Howard�s arms. But now it was over. Someone else will get the chance to spend the night in his arms. Someone like Sunshine. Someone like her best friend. She took Howard away from her, just like the first time.
She was going to pay. She was going to make her feel the same pain. But maybe worse. Just to make her feel like she has no reason to go on anymore. It was all Sunshine�s fault. She didn�t care what anyone told her. Sunshine was to blame and she was going to make her suffer. But how?
Her thoughts were interrupted with a knocking at the door. She turned the TV off and got up. She walked to the door and opened it to see Nickolas standing there.
�Nick.�
�Hey, Jo.�
�Come in.� Nickolas stepped inside and she closed the door. �What brings you by?�
�I came to see Sunnie.� They walked down to the parlor. �Is she here?�
Josephine smiled and said, �I believe she went to see Brad.�
�Oh. Do you know when she�ll be back?�
�No; sorry.�
�That�s alright.�
�It�s been two weeks since you guys talked. Why are you interested again?�
�I want to make things right with her. Get it the way it used to be. I love her and I miss being with her. I also want to tell her the truth.�
�So you want to get back together with her?�
�That�s my goal.�
�So you don�t know.�
�Know what?�
�That Sunn�s with Brad.�
�Excuse me�
�They�ve been together for two weeks now.�
�I had no idea.�
�I�m sorry you had to find out this way.�
�At least I found out. Will you tell her I was here?�
�Sure, but she should be back any minute. Why don�t you wait for her?�
�I don�t know.�
�If it�s really important to you, to see her, you will.�
�It is important.�
�Then stay.�
�I�ll wait ten minutes. If she ain�t here then I�m leaving.�
�That�s good enough. Would you like anything while you wait?�
�I�m fine thanks.� He sat down on the sofa and Josephine sat next to him. �How are you and Howie?�
�Nothing�s changed, but I don�t want to talk about it.�
�That�s fine. What do you want to talk about then?�
�I don�t know.� She noticed his foot moving. �Nick, you�re nervous. Why?�
�I�m nervous about seeing Sunnie. I really hurt her and feel horrible.�
�Let me loosen ya up.� She knelt behind him on the sofa and started massaging his shoulders. �You must no have hurt her that bad if she�s with Brad.�
�I hurt her pretty bad. She�s upset that�s why she�s with Brad. She just doesn�t want to think about it. I know she still loves me.�
�Maybe she does.� She continued massaging his shoulders. �She doesn�t talk about still loving you.� She smiled and then moved her hand down the front of his shirt.
�What are you doing?� Nickolas asked moving her hand out of his shirt and looking at her.
�I�m sorry. I was just thinking about Howie.�
�You do still love him.�
�It�s hard not to.� She continued rubbing his shoulders and then moved her hand down his shirt again.
�Josephine!� He turned and looked at her.
�Don�t fight it, Nick.� She pushed him back on the sofa and straddled him.
�What are you doing? Get off!�
�I know you want me just as much as I want you.�
�What are you talking about?�
�You know exactly what I�m talking about.�
She started unbuttoning his shirt while outside the condo, Sunshine�s getting ready to open the door.
Sunshine put her hand on the doorknob just as she heard, �Sunn.� She looked and saw Howard walking towards her. �Welcome back.�
�Thanks,� Sunshine said. �Happy Birthday.�
�That was yesterday.�
�Well, I didn�t see you yesterday.�
�You have a point.�
�Are you here to see Josie?�
�Who else?�
�Well she�s home and fully clothed.� They laughed. �Come on in.� She turned back to the door and put her hand on the knob. She turned the knob and pushed open the door. She and Howard walked in just as Josephine kissed Nickolas. Sunshine and Howard just looked as a shirtless Josephine continued kissing Nickolas and Sunshine asked, �What the hell is going on here?�
�Josephine?� Howard said in shock.
Josephine looked and smiled. She moved aside to reveal Nickolas� face. Sunshine dropped the food bags she was holding, saying, �Nicky?�
�It�s not what you think, Sunnie,� Nickolas said pushing Josephine off him and getting up.
Sunshine turned to Howard with tears in her eyes and buried her face in his shoulder. Howard pus his arms around her asking, �Then what the hell is it exactly, Nick? A movie rehearsal? I don�t think so.�
�She came onto me,� Nickolas stated. �I came to see Sunnie.�
�Do you expect Sunn to believe that?� Howard questioned. �I don�t believe it myself.�
�Why me?� Sunshine asked while starting to cry.
Nickolas ran up to her, as Josephine put her shirt back on. He touched her saying, �Sunnie, please listen.�
�Don�t touch me!� Sunshine snapped spinning around. She just looked at him saying, �Is this why you called it off? So you and that backstabbing slut can be together and not because of Brad?�
�No; I love only you.�
�Do you? You have a hell of a way of showing it anymore.�
�Sweets, please. I came here to see you so we can talk.�
�About what?� She wiped her eyes. �I think everything was said and done.� Josephine joined them and stood beside Nickolas. Sunshine looked at her and asked, �Why? You know how much I want to be with Nick. So why? Why hurt me more?�
�Because the man I love is in love with my best friend!� Josephine snapped. �You stole him away from me. Not once, but twice. So why not make you pay by stealing the man you love away from you.�
�I never stole Howie from you!�
�Don�t lie!�
�No! All of you just get out! Just get the hell out!�
�Sunnie, we need to talk,� Nickolas pleaded. �Please?�
�No, please just leave. All of you.�
�I live here,� Josephine reminded her.
�Not anymore. So get out.� Nickolas stood there looking at her, as Josephine and Howard walked out the door. Sunshine only looked at Nickolas and he took her hand.
�Sunnie, nothing is going on between me and Jo,� Nickolas assured her. �I came here to make things right with you.�
�Please, Nicky.� She pulled her hand away. �I can�t do this right now. Please go.� She turned her back and he stood behind her.
He leaned down to her ear and said, �I love you. Never forget that.� She closed her eyes, as he kissed her cheek, and two tears rolled down. Nickolas stood up straight and turned and walked away.
�Nicky,� Sunshine said turning around, but he was gone and the door was shut. �Don�t go.� She just stood there, staring at the door, and hoping it would open.
CHAPTER 16
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