�How are the wedding plans coming along, Sunn?� Josephine asked, as they sat at the condo with Howard. Sunshine looked up from her sketch pad and looked at Josephine and Howard.
�Well?� Howard asked.
�Why do you want to know?� Sunshine questioned.
�Because you�re my best friend and I happen to be your maid-of-honor too,� Josephine replied. �So how�s it going? Did ya decide on a wedding gown yet? Bridesmaids dresses?�
�I�m getting there,� Sunshine said. �That�s what I�m doing now.�
�Can I have a peek?�
�Sure,� Sunshine replied walking over to the sofa and sitting beside Josephine. Josephine went to take a peek, as did Howard. Sunshine saw Howard trying to peek and pushed him away. �Not you though.�
�Why not?� Howard asked. �Who am I going to tell?�
�You tell us,� Sunshine and Josephine said simultaneously and Sunshine added, �You talk in your sleep. You could say anything when the guys are around when you�re asleep.�
�Just�� Howard began.
�Forget it, D,� Sunshine said. �You�re not looking.�
�Fine,� Howard said, as Josephine and Sunshine moved to the love seat.
They sat down and Josephine took the sketch pad from Sunshine. Sunshine looked at Howard who was looking at her. They both remembered the day at Kevin�s, when Howard admitted he still loved her, and she shook her head, as Josephine said, �They�re really nice. I can�t believe you thought of them yourself. You actually sketched them. It�s amazing.�
�I can�t believe I did it either,� Sunshine said. �So ya like them?�
�Definitely,� Josephine said. �Did you decide on colors yet?�
�Not yet,� Sunshine said. �But I�m sure there�ll be green.�
�Of course,� Howard said.
�Don�t get smart or you�re not invited,� Sunshine warned.
�Sorry,� Howard apologized. �I don�t want to miss the big day.�
�Then shut up,� Sunshine snapped.
�Guys, stop it,� Josephine said. �You fight like you�re married. It�s pathetic.�
�He started it,� Sunshine said at the same time Howard said, �She started it.� Sunshine glared at him, as the door opened and they all looked to see Nickolas. �Put this stuff away quickly.� Sunshine and Josephine gathered up Sunshine�s stuff and Josephine took it to Sunshine�s room.
Nickolas put two bags on the coffee table and sat next to Sunshine. He gave her a kiss, as Josephine walked out saying, �None of that.� Sunshine and Nickolas just smiled. �Wait until you see Sunshine�s wedding dress. It�s gorgeous.�
�Probably not as gorgeous as she is,� Nickolas said and Sunshine just smiled. �Hungry?�
�Yeah,� Sunshine said grabbing a bag. �Some dinner; McDonald�s.� She opened the bag. �I got the French fries. How come there are four?�
�I got Jo and D something.�
�Oh. What�d you get me?�
�The usual; Big and Tasty with no onions, no tomatoes, and no pickles.�
�Yummy.�
�I wasn�t sure what you guys wanted so I got ya�s Big Mac�s.�
�That�s fine,� Josephine said, as they passed the bags around. They began eating and Josephine asked, �So, Nick, who�s your best man? Howie I hope.�
�Actually Aaron,� Nickolas replied.
�Did I ever meet him?� Josephine wanted to know.
�Knowing you,� Sunshine began, �probably not. Even though you were with Nick for a year.�
�Means nothing,� Josephine said. �I bet you never met him.�
�Yeah,� Sunshine stated. �Plenty of times.�
�He�s visiting this weekend,� Nickolas said. �You can meet him then.�
�If she�s not too busy,� Sunshine snickered. �With work and with Howie and whatever else she does when she�s not here.�
�You�re funny,� Josephine said.
�Thank you,� Sunshine smirked.
�When will he be here?� Josephine questioned.
�Probably tomorrow night or Friday morning,� Nickolas replied. �Why? Ya interested?�
�Perhaps,� Josephine said smiling at Howard.
Howard just looked at Josephine and Nickolas said, �I don�t think he pretty much cares.� Sunshine stomped on Nickolas� foot and he looked at her. �What?�
�You know what?� Sunshine said.
�Sorry,� Nickolas said smiling at her.
�What are you smiling at?� Sunshine questioned.
�You have sauce on your face,� Nickolas stated pointing to the left side of his face. Sunshine wiped the right side of her face and Nickolas shook his head. �The other side.�
Sunshine wiped her face again and asked, �Did I get it?�
�No,� the other three replied simultaneously and Sunshine wiped her face again. �No.�
�Let me,� Nickolas said taking her napkin and wiped the corner of her mouth. �You remind of a child.� Sunshine just made a face. �A very cute child of course.�
�I�m not a child,� Sunshine said. �I�ll be 25. I�m a woman.� She looked directly at Nickolas and smiled. �You of all people should know that.�
�I definitely do,� Nickolas smirked, as they kissed.
Josephine shook her head saying, �They have no respect whatsoever.�
�This is Sunn�s place,� Howard said.
�That�s besides the point,� Josephine replied. �She�s got company and she�s making out with her boyfriend. I wouldn�t do that.�
�Hypocrite,� Sunshine said. �I remember going over to Howie�s and you two sat there making out in front of me.� Howard and Josephine just looked at each other, as Sunshine smirked. �It was very rude. So how do you guys like it?�
�It�s rude,� Josephine stated.
�Exactly,� Sunshine replied. �Prosecution rests.�
�So when are you two getting hitched?� Nickolas asked, as Josephine and Howard looked at each other. �Come on, you had to have talked about it.�
�Actually no,� Howard said.
�Marriage is the farthest thing from our minds,� Josephine added. �I�m not ready.�
�What about you, Howie?� Nickolas asked. �Are you ready? You�ll be 32.�
�Not at the moment,� Howard answered. �I can wait a couple more years.�
�D�s a player,� Sunshine stated. �Don�t get too attached, Jo. I almost did and look what happened.� Nickolas and Howard both looked at her. They knew exactly what she was talking about without her saying. �But if he makes you happy and actually wants to be with you then so be it. But if he doesn�t want to be with you he has some explaining to do.� She glared at him and he looked away. Josephine didn�t take notice to any of this as she continued eating.
Nickolas put his arm around Sunshine and whispered in her ear, �Stop now before you say something you�ll regret.� Sunshine just looked at him. �We�ll talk later.� He kissed her forehead, as the door opened.
�Knock, knock, knock, anyone home?� Danielle asked, as she, Brian, Venus, and Kevin walked in.
�Hey, guys,� Josephine said.
�Come on in,� Sunshine said sarcastically, as they all sat down. �And have a seat.�
�How�s it going?� Brian asked.
�Great,� Josephine said.
�Did you guys see Alex and Des lately?� Kevin asked.
�Not since Thursday,� Sunshine said. �I tried calling, but no one answers.�
�They probably took a vacation,� Venus said.
�Somewhere where they can get all the nookie they want without interruptions,� Sunshine snickered. �Well Des anyway.�
�Thanks for sharing,� Howard said.
�Anytime,� Sunshine said.
�So, Sunn, Nick,� Kevin began changing the subject, �you guys still getting married?�
�Of course,� Nickolas said.
�You�re not sick of each other yet?� Danielle asked.
�Nope,� Sunshine replied. �He�s my dream man. We�re very happy.�
�Me and Howie are,� Josephine jumped in.
Sunshine looked at Howard who only looked at Josephine and smiled. Disgusted, Sunshine picked up her stuff and said, �Excuse me.� She got up and Nickolas watched her go into the kitchen.
�What was that all about?� Venus questioned.
�Was it something I said?� Josephine asked, as they heard a cupboard door slam.
Josephine went to get up, as Nickolas stopped her, �Let me.� They watched Nickolas go to the kitchen and then looked at each other.
�He always had a way of making her feel better,� Kevin said.
�I wonder what�s wrong,� Venus said. They just shrugged and Kevin looked at Howard. �Was she like this all day?�
�No,� Josephine said. �She was happy, because she was talking about the wedding all day.�
�What did you do to her, Brian?� Danielle joked.
�Nothing,� Brian replied. �What�d you do?�
�Don�t start,� Danielle warned. �Or I�ll pop ya one.�
�I�m sure he�s scared, Dani,� Venus said. �You�re 24 and he�s what? Fifty?�
�Thirty,� Danielle corrected.
�Man you�re getting old,� Josephine snickered.
�How old are you?� Brian asked.
�I just turned 24,� Josephine replied. �On July 27, 2005.�
�Howie�s how old?� Brian questioned and Josephine just looked at him. �Thirty-two.�
�Thirty-one,� Josephine said. �He likes the young stuff.�
�She keeps me young,� Howard smirked.
�At least he�s not going to be 34,� Josephine said looking directly at Kevin.
�Maybe Kevin likes the young stuff too,� Venus said.
�How�d we get on the age subject?� Danielle wanted to know.
�Venus,� Brian said.
�Sorry,� Venus said grinning.
CHAPTER 3
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