After another moment of silence, Nickolas said, �I know this whole situation with Howie is bothering you, but you can�t let it.�
�How can I not, Nicky?� Sunshine questioned. �He�s still in love with me unbeknownst to his girlfriend who happens to be my best girl friend.�
�I understand that.�
�He�s hurting her even though she doesn�t know it. Howie use to be honest, caring, loving, the whole shebang. He�s not even honest with himself anymore. I just wish he�d be honest with Josie. I don�t want to see her hurt, but she should know the truth.�
�I agree. How would you like him to be honest with Jo when you just said he�s not honest with himself?�
�Sometimes when me and Jo are together and we�re just talking I look at her and want to tell her. But I stop myself, because I know it�s going to hurt her.�
�If you keep acting the way you do towards Howie she�s going to know something�s wrong. She�ll pressure you into telling her.� Sunshine looked at him. �You�re stressing yourself out over this.�
�I�m not stressed.� She got up. �I�m fine.�
�Don�t lie to me. How much sleep are you getting?�
�Why?�
�Just answer the question.� Sunshine shook her head in disgust. Nickolas got up and walked over to her. �I can tell you�re not getting that much.�
�A couple hours a night I guess.�
�Sunnie, that�s not good for you.�
�I know, but Howie�s making me so mad with his dishonesty to Josephine. He�s making her believe he�s completely happy with her.�
�Maybe he is.�
�You�re taking his side.�
�I�m not taking sides, because there�s no side to be taken.�
�I�m sorry. I just want this whole thing to be over.�
�So do I.�
Nickolas hugged her, as Kevin walked in and said, �I�m not interrupting am I?�
�No,� Nickolas said. �Of course not.�
�Is everything all right?� Kevin questioned.
�I guess,� Sunshine replied.
�She�s stressing over the thing with Howie,� Nickolas stated.
�You�re going to put yourself in the hospital,� Kevin said.
�Whatever,� Sunshine said rolling her eyes.
�Listen to him,� Nickolas replied. �He�s older and wiser.�
�Jo doesn�t suspect anything does she?� Sunshine wanted to know.
�She didn�t let on that she did,� Kevin replied. �But Howie knows why you�re upset, because he�s becoming very uneasy.�
�Good,� Sunshine said looking out to the parlor. �Maybe he�ll decide to tell the truth to his girlfriend.�
�Are you trying to cause problems?� Kevin questioned.
�No,� Sunshine said. She looked out to the parlor again. �If I do then good for him, because he deserves it.� There was a knock at the door. �V, will you get that please?�
�Sure,� Venus said, as Sunshine turned back to Nickolas and Kevin.
�You can�t let Jo know about this situation,� Kevin said. �Especially if you don�t want her hurt.�
�But she has�� Sunshine began, but interrupted.
�She�ll probably put the blame on you,� Kevin started, �because she�ll be upset. She�ll probably think you made Howie fall in love with you.�
�But I didn�t,� Sunshine said. �I�m so ready to tell her the truth about her caring, loving, and honest boyfriend.�
�But you can�t, Sunn,� Kevin said.
�He�s right, Sweets,� Nickolas agreed. �Listen to him.�
�Then Howie should�ve never admitted that he still loves me,� Sunshine stated. �Or kissed me.�
�Then you shouldn�t have kissed him in return,� Nickolas said.
�It wasn�t even for a second,� Sunshine reminded him. �Howie didn�t care.� At that time Sunshine looked at the kitchen entrance and saw Venus and Bradley Fischetti standing there.
�Did we miss something?� Venus asked.
�Nothing,� Sunshine replied, as she walked over to Bradley. She gave him a hug, as Nickolas watched for a second then turned away.
Nickolas stood at the sink and Kevin stood beside him. He put his arm around Nickolas� shoulders and said, just above a whisper, �They�re just friends, Nick. You have nothing to worry about.�
�I know they�re just friends,� Nickolas said. �It�s just that they�ve been spending a lot of time together.�
�They�re best friends. She doesn�t get jealous when you spend time with your best friend.�
�My best friend is Brian, not a girl.�
�Sunn loves you. If she didn�t she wouldn�t be marrying you in February. Quit worrying.�
Nickolas looked at him then at Sunshine, as she, Venus, and Bradley laughed. Sunshine looked at Nickolas and blew him a kiss and smiled. Nickolas smiled in return and said, �I�m not jealous and I�m not worried.�
�Whatever,� Kevin said rolling his eyes.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�Alex, this is really great,� Destiny said, as she and Alexander sat on the beaches of Puerto Rico and ate their dinner. Alexander looked at her and smiled. �Really romantic too.� Destiny smiled at him, as she went for seconds.
Alexander looked at her and said, �You never eat seconds.�
�I know, but this stuff is so good. I can�t help myself. You don�t get this kind of food at home.�
�That there�s correct. You get Latin dishes, but not like this.�
�Howie�s mom makes excellent Latin dishes.�
�I agree. So when do you want to go home?�
�I have to go back to work Monday. So sooner the better.�
�Saturday morning.�
�I guess.�
�Then we can tell everyone the happy news.�
�I can�t wait. I hope they�ll be happy for us.�
�Definitely. They know we�re meant to be together.�
�And we are.� They leaned in and kissed.
�So what does Mrs. McLean want to do after this? Something physical I hope.�
�The same thing we did on our wedding night.�
�I think it can be arranged.�
�Good.�
�Are you happy?�
�I haven�t been this happy since forever. Are you?�
�Are you kidding? I�m glowing with happiness. I walk around saying �I�m happy, because I�m married�.� Destiny just smiled, shook her head, and Alexander kissed her.
CHAPTER 4
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