Nickolas arrived at Alexander�s and made his way to the back yard where he was having a bar-b-que. He sat next to Josephine at the one picnic table and lowered his head thinking, as everyone looked at him.
When he didn�t say anything, Brian asked, �Nick�s what�s wrong?�
�Nothing,� Nickolas lied.
�Don�t lie,� Kevin said.
�I saw Sunnie and Fischetti kissing the other day. I go to make it right and instead I see her kissing her ex-boyfriend. Every time I want to make it right something happens to stop me. I had to control myself from going in after Brad.�
�So you were jealous,� Alexander said.
�I wasn�t jealous. I was angry.�
�That�s the way she felt when she saw you kissing Jo,� Kevin said.
�What?� Nickolas and Josephine looked at each other.
�The other day.�
�She saw that?�
�She was very upset. She was just a mess.�
�She still is,� Danielle added. �You guys were really smart.�
�It meant nothing,� Josephine said. �Sorry, Nick.�
�That�s alright,� Nickolas assured her. �I feel the same way.�
�I felt bad kissing Nick,� Josephine began, �knowing how Sunn feels about him.�
�But you didn�t tell her,� Danielle said.
�I don�t know how to,� Josephine said, as Nickolas got up.
�I don�t know why I�m trying to make it right,� Nickolas said leaning on the banister. �Every technique I try it blows up in my face.� He looked to the ground.
�You do it, because you love her,� Brian said.
�Hey, guys,� Sunshine said interrupting and stopping, as she saw Nickolas. Nickolas looked up and looked at her. They just started at one another for the longest time. No one knew what to say and went about their own business. Nickolas was the first to look away and Sunshine went over to the beverage table with Destiny. �Sorry I�m late. My agent kept me on the phone.�
�That�s ok,� Destiny said. �What�s in the container?�
�Right.� She looked for Alexander. When she didn�t see him, she opened the container and said, �Yummy home made brownies.�
�Mmm!� Destiny took one. She took a bite and savored the moment. �Alex won�t let me have this stuff. We don�t even eat at McDonald�s.�
�Sucks to be you.� Destiny took another bite.
�What are you eating?� Alexander asked sneaking up behind them.
�Nothing,� Destiny lied handing the brownie to Sunshine.
�Sure you�re not,� Alexander said glaring at Sunshine, as she took a bite of the brownie. �Is D coming?�
�I don�t know,� Sunshine shrugged. �I really don�t give a shit if he comes or not.�
�Ok,� Alexander said. �You shouldn�t be eating that stuff, Hon; it�s not healthy for the baby.�
�Alex, live a little,� Sunshine stated stuffing the rest of the brownie in his mouth.
�Alex!� Brian yelled as the phone rang.
�I�ll get that,� Destiny said, as she and Alexander left Sunshine alone at the table.
Sunshine stood there by herself and picked up another brownie. She turned a little and started looking for Nickolas, but didn�t see him. She watched the others until she head, �Looking for someone?�
She turned around startled and said, �Shit, Nick, you scared the life out of me.�
�Sorry.�
�That�s alright. I just wasn�t expecting you.�
�You were expecting Brad maybe.�
�What�s that supposed to mean? I�m not with Brad or anybody.�
�I meant nothing by it. Just forget it.� They stood there not looking at each other. �How�s it going?�
�I guess fine. What about yourself?�
�The same. I saw you in Vicky�s.�
�Subscriber now?�
�No; Des showed me. You looked�wow!�
Sunshine looked at him and grinned a little. �Thanks. I was surprised to see myself on the cover.�
�I wasn�t.� She held back a smile. �I knew you�d get your cover one day.�
�The cover I wanted, but not the centerfold.�
�Excuse me?�
�Hugh Hefner offered me five million to be his next centerfold.�
�I�m hoping you�re not going to degrade yourself and do it; let alone consider it.�
�Of course not. You know me better than that, Nick.�
�I know.�
�You�re the only one that�ll ever see me completely naked.�
�I�m glad.�
�Are you?�
�Yes.�
�If you were then we�d be together right now. Just go back over to your girlfriend.� She walked away from him.
�Idiot!�
�How�d it go?� Brian asked approaching.
�How do you think? She told me to go back over to my girlfriend.�
�Sorry man.�
�I�m just trying too hard.�
�You�re going to stick around right? You�re not leaving are you?�
�And miss my Sweets in a bikini? Are you kidding? I�m staying until she leaves.� Brian smiled. �If fates on my side maybe we�ll leave together.�
�That�d be great.� Nickolas looked at Sunshine and smiled.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�Hey, Sunn,� Brian said stopping her before she went in the house. �Leaving already?�
Sunshine gave him a strange look and said, �No, I�m going to the rest room. So if you�ll excuse me.�
�Ok, go ahead. I�m not going to stop ya.�
�Yeah.� Sunshine walked inside shaking her head, as Nickolas joined Brian.
�She leaving?� Nickolas asked worried.
�Going to the rest room,� Brian replied. �Don�t worry. Any progress?�
�Not yet. She keeps walking away when I approach her. I try to keep my distance from Jo so Sunnie knows nothing�s going on.�
�It ain�t working though.�
�I don�t think.�
�Keep after her. She�ll come around.�
�She�s still pretty mad at me.�
�If it comes down to it then you�ll have to shout it from the rooftop of how sorry you are, how much you love her, and make a fool of yourself.�
�It�d be worth it though if I got her back.�
�You will.� Brian walked away, as Sunshine walked out of the house.
Sunshine and Nickolas looked at each other and Sunshine started walking away. Nickolas walked behind her and said, �Sunnie, wait a minute.� Sunshine stopped and slowly turned around. Without raising her head all the way, she looked at him. �Can we talk please?�
�About what?� Sunshine asked, biting her fingernail.
�Us.�
�Sunn, phone!� Alexander yelled.
�Sorry.� She walked away.
�Damn it!� He sat down.
�Things not working out?� Danielle asked.
�No. What should I do?�
�Just start with something simple. Compliment her on how good she looks.�
�With her being mad at me, she�d probably punch me in the face if I tell how sexy she�s looking.� He looked at Sunshine, as she slapped Brian upside the head and the group laughed.
�It doesn�t hurt to try. Listen, Nick, no matter how mad Sunn is at you she�ll always love you. She�ll accept every comment she gets from you. Except the rude ones.�
�What if she doesn�t?�
�She will, because she wants you just as much as you want her.�
�Hey, Brad,� Alexander said and everyone looked to see Bradley walking from the house. �Glad ya could make it.�
�Better late then never,� Bradley said.
�Great,� Nickolas to Danielle. �Fischetti�s here. Now Sunnie definitely won�t talk to me. She�ll be talking to Brad the whole time.� He watched, as Sunshine kissed Bradley�s cheek and hug him.
�Unless you get to her first,� Danielle said pulling him out of his seat. She dragged him over to the food table. She started putting food on a plate. �She hasn�t eaten anything since she arrived.� Nickolas just looked at her. �Neither have you. Make yourself a plate.� Nickolas did as she requested not understanding. When they both were done, Danielle handed him the plate. �Now go.� Nickolas looked at Sunshine and Danielle pushed him. �You�re wasting precious time.� They watched Sunshine get up. �Hurry up. She�s coming this way.�
Nickolas started walking towards Sunshine, as Kevin said, �Hungry at all, Nickolas?�
�Funny,� Nickolas said continuing to walk and almost running into Sunshine.
�Whoa!� they both said and Sunshine added, �You sure can eat a lot.�
�Actually I thought you could use this. I�ve noticed you didn�t eat anything yet.�
�Um�thank you.� She took a plate. �You read my mind. I was just going to get something.�
�Well ya don�t need to now.� They just looked at each other.
�Um�let�s sit.�
�Here.� He pointed to the one table next to them.
�No; I need shade.� They walked up to the porch and sat at the table with the canopy. �I stay in the sun any longer I�ll look like a lobster.�
�You�d make a cute lobster.� Sunshine just looked at him and smiled. Nickolas looked up and noticed everyone looking at them. They all smiled and puckered up. Nickolas smirked and shook his head.
�What?�
�Nothing; some people don�t have anything better to do.�
�Right.�
�Did you get any offers since Victoria�s?�
�Actually yes.� Nickolas looked at her interested. �Lots of offers. There was one for an ABC movie.�
�Did you accept it?�
�Yeah.� She took a deep breath. �I�m leaving for L.A. in a week.�
�You are?� She nodded. �Wow! How long will you be gone?�
�I�ll be back before Christmas.� She lowered her head. �Hopefully a week before.�
�That long. Wow!�
�Why does it bother you? We�re not together.� Nickolas looked at her. �Sorry, that was uncalled for.�
�You�re right.�
�No; just forget I said anything.� She got up.
�So you�re going to walk away now.�
�I�m getting a drink.� She smiled. �You�re always so paranoid.�
�Then let me get it and sit down.�
�Fine.� She sat down, as Nickolas got up. She watched him, as he walked away.
He walked back over and with a bad French accent said, �Miss, I never got your drink order. What would you like? We�ve got some great American Pepsi products, some imported Italian wine, our very own French wind and��
�Nick, what are you doing?�
�It�s Pierre. There�s no Nick here.�
�Ok, Pierre, I�ll just have a mountain dew.�
�One mountain dew coming up.�
�May I get one for my American friend also?�
�Two mountain dews coming up.� He walked away and Sunshine just laughed.
A few seconds later, Nickolas walked back over and sat down saying, �I had to kick that French waiters ass.�
�What for?�
�He was causing trouble.�
�Oh.� They heard a phone ring. �Write any new songs lately?�
�Yeah; they�re mostly about wanting that special someone to be in your life forever.� Sunshine just looked at him.
�Sunn, phone,� Josephine said handing her the cell phone. �It�s your agent.� Sunshine took the phone.
�Thanks,� Sunshine said and Nickolas watched her. �Hello�what�excuse me�are you serious?� Nickolas raised an eyebrow. �They got Gwyneth Paltrow to play the part�what about the contract�I can�t believe this�all right. Tell Jonathan to call me when he knows something�bye.� She turned off the phone.
�Jonathan�s your lawyer right?� Nickolas asked and Sunshine nodded. �What�s wrong?�
�ABC got Gwyneth Paltrow to play my part. She�s in her thirties and the movies about a young twenty-two year old who goes to L.A. to get her singing career started.�
�You were going to sing?�
�Yeah; I even took vocal lessons for the past few months to perfect my voice. The viewers ain�t going to go for it.�
�I�m sorry, Sweets.� Sunshine looked at him.
�I don�t need ABC when I got James Cameron, the master of movie making, to make me a star. Let Miss Paltrow have ABC.�
�He still wants you.�
�Yeah; he had to find a picture thingy to sign him so they�re building some of the set now. It won�t be until after February, because he�s soon starting another movie with his wife.�
�Who�s the leading man?�
Sunshine shrugged. �I think they�re still trying to find one.� Nickolas only smiled, as an idea came to mind. �They want someone to fit the character to the T.�
�What�s he like?�
�Aladdin.� Nickolas looked at her. �He took the story of Aladdin and put his feel into it. It�s pretty good actually.�
�I�m sure it is.�
�Anyway�� She didn�t say anything after that and Nickolas looked at her. �Nick, I�I need to tell you something.�
�What is it?�
�The other�� Sunshine began, but interrupted.
�Howie, no!� Josephine yelled. Sunshine and Nickolas looked just as Josephine and Howard fell into the pool.
Everyone laughed and Nickolas said, �Good to see them two getting along. I hope it means they�ll be getting back together soon.�
�I thought you and Jo were�� Sunshine began, but didn�t want to finish.
�No.� He smiled. �Where would you get an idea like that?�
�Nowhere.�
�I thought you and Brad were��
�Me and Brad? No! Why would you even think that?�
�You spend a lot of time with him.�
�We�re just friends, Nicky.� Nickolas looked at her. To get him jealous she said, �He�s a wonderful, sweet, caring guy and very hot.� Nickolas didn�t say anything and continued looking at her. �Brad and I may have shared a lot that time we were together, but it doesn�t mean we�re back together.�
�Did you ever think about going back to him?� Sunshine looked at him, as he lowered his head.
She smiled and said, �I thought about it. More so now that I know you don�t want me anymore.� He stayed silent. �I wouldn�t mind going back to what Brad and I had.�
�Are you in love with him?�
�I wouldn�t say its true love, but I do love him.�
�Excuse me.� Nickolas got up and left the table. Sunshine just smiled and took the brownie off Nickolas� plate. She sat there alone for a moment then Nickolas sat down. He looked at his plate then looked at Sunshine and smirked.
�What?� Sunshine asked with a mouthful of brownie.
�Stealing my food?� Sunshine shook her head while grinning. �I guess I�ll�� Before he could finish, Sunshine reached over and shoved the rest of the brownie in his mouth.
�Hehe.� She began laughing and Nickolas only looked at her. �Brownie face.�
�Cute.� He stood up and walked around the table. Sunshine looked at him, as he stood behind her. �I�m not going to do anything.�
�Yeah right. Go back over there where I can see you.�
�Why? I�m tired of sitting.�
�Then go stand over there and not behind me.�
�Someone paranoid?�
�No, but someone�s going to soon get his ass kicked if he don�t move.� Nickolas sat beside her and just smiled. �What?�
�Nothing.� He continued smiling and she turned back to her food. She began eating and Nickolas tucked her hair behind her ear. She glanced at him and continued eating, ignoring the sensations going through her body. He started to play with the strap on her top and she took a deep breath then looked at him. Everyone stopped what they were doing and watched them. Nickolas took his hand up and down Sunshine�s arm and he then turned her whole body towards him. He just smiled at her, as he put his hand on her neck and brought her forward. She looked at him; wanting to kiss him. �You look so sexy today.�
�Nicky,� she whispered. He took his other hand and got almost a handful of Sunshine�s macaroni salad. He leaned in closer and just as their lips almost touched, he backed up and shoved the macaroni in her mouth.
�Oh!� everyone said and Sunshine just looked at Nickolas.
Nickolas started laughing and said, �Macaroni face.�
�You�re a jerk,� Sunshine said after getting the macaroni out of her mouth.
�I fooled you.� Nickolas got up. He leaned down to her and brushed her neck with his lips. She wiped her mouth and closed her eyes with Nickolas whispering in her ear, �Maybe next time I�ll kiss you.� He kissed the sensitive spot behind her ear that always made her hot. �Depending on how bad you want it.� Sunshine turned around as Nickolas walked away smiling and she just watched him.
CHAPTER 28
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