God I couldn�t stand that Claudia. It was obvious to see that all she wanted from Howard was his money and fame. I just wished he would open his gorgeous Spanish eyes and see that. I never understood why he took her back again after the first time. If someone ever cheated on me, like Claudia did Howard, I would never forgive them. I had to find a good girl for him. Who was there? Shakira, she�s smart, funny, nice, a great listener, and Howard�s age. Then there was Gabrielle. A 19 year old model, one of my best friends and my roommate. She was also smart. Gabrielle was in love with Nickolas� little brother, Aaron, though.
Who was I kidding though? I couldn�t deal with Howard and Claudia right now, I had a wedding to concentrate on. A wedding I wasn�t even sure about. Hell, I wasn�t even sure if I loved Cameron anymore. Did I even love him to begin with? I never really said I loved him. I think I only ever said it once. It was probably because Cameron said it first and wanted to hear it from me. I had no idea what I was doing or what I was getting myself into. I�m sure Nickolas could help me figure it out though. He always knew what to do. So did I, but this time I didn�t. I had no clue.
�Sugar Bear, are you soon ready?� came Nickolas� voice.
�I�ll be out in a minute.� I quickly changed into a pair of jeans. I brushed my hair out and walked from the bathroom. �All set.�
�What about these guys?� Nickolas asked pointing to the movers. �Are you just going to leave them here?�
�Right. Are you guys soon done?�
�Yes, ma�am,� the one guy said.
�Alright.� I walked over to the window and looked out. An ocean view. It was so peaceful and beautiful. My house was by the ocean also. Right beside Nickolas�. Cameron was never there either. I sighed and felt an arm go around me. I looked and Nickolas was watching me. �What is it?�
�Are you all right?� Nickolas asked. I put on a smile.
�Yeah; you�re here. Nothing else is better than that.�
�Not even Cameron?�
�Not even Cameron.� He smiled and I shook my head.
�I don�t like him.�
�All done, ma�am,� one of the movers interrupted and I looked.
�Thank you. Send the bill to this guy.� I handed him one of Cameron�s cards. He nodded and took the card. The guys walked out and Shakira walked in.
�If you don�t need me for anything else,� Shakira began, �I�m going to go home.�
�Go ahead. I�m sure you got other plans.�
�With Richard Gere.� We laughed. �I�ll see ya tomorrow.�
�Alright.�
�See ya, Kira,� Nickolas said and she walked out.
�What do you think of Kira and Howie?�
�Excuse me?� Nickolas asked in return.
�I�m serious. They�re both of Puerto Rican decent and she�s a great cook.�
�Plus super nice.�
�Exactly. She is what he needs.�
�So let�s take her along to Rok�s.�
�We can�t.�
�Why not?�
�Cause Claudia will be there and Howie won�t pay any attention to Kira.�
�You�re probably right.�
�I am.�
�If you say so.�
�You�re funny.� I grabbed my keys and pushed him to the door.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�Leighanne�
We all sat in my parlor and waited for Evangelique and Nickolas to arrive. It was Brian, Kristin, Kevin, Amanda, Alexander, Claudia, Howard, and me. Brian even called up Nickolas� brother, Aaron, and Evangelique�s roommate, Gabrielle. I think they were kind of sweet on each other, just like Evangelique and Nickolas were. Good thing Brian picked a couple horror flicks for the night.
I looked at my watch as I heard Claudia�s annoying voice, �I wish they would get here so we can start.�
�No one said you had to come,� Amanda rebutted. �God forbid if you should leave Howie�s side.�
�I didn�t say anything to you.�
�Then keep your mouth shut.� I loved Amanda�s attitude. She didn�t tolerate anyone�s shit; especially Claudia�s. None of us could stand Claudia. She was a thorn in our sides that needed pulled out�and soon.
�If it wasn�t for Evan we could have started by now.�
�Hey,� Kristin said. �If you don�t like it you can leave. You know where the door is. Eve�s a very hard worker.�
�She runs a business,� Claudia said. �How hard can that be?�
�Very hard,� Howard said and I saw the annoyed look on his face. �I own �Tabu� remember?� She just looked at him.
�I�m going to go get refreshments.� I got up, as we heard talking. We looked and saw Evangelique and Nickolas walk in.
�I told you, Sugar Bear,� Nickolas said. �I don�t like the guy.�
�You never liked anyone that showed interest in me, Butter Cup,� Evangelique replied. �We discussed this in the car.�
�Glad you could make it,� Brian said.
�Yeah,� Nickolas said, as the guys hugged Evangelique. �Where�s mine?�
�When you look like Sugar Bear here,� Alexander began, �I�ll think about it.� We laughed.
�He�ll never look as good as me,� Evangelique snickered.
�You guys are real funny,� Nickolas said sarcastically.
�Eve, kitchen now,� I grabbed her arm and pulled her along. We got into the kitchen and Kristin, Amanda, and Gabrielle joined us.
�What�s up?� Evangelique asked.
�Explain this,� I put a card on the table.
�It�s a wedding invitation,� Evangelique stated.
�What do you think you�re doing?� Kristin questioned.
�Getting married next month,� Evangelique answered.
�To who?� Amanda wanted to know.
�The name on the invite,� Evangelique said. �Cameron Jayden Scott Porter.�
�None of us know him.� Evangelique only looked at us. �How come we never met him?�
�Gab knows him,� Evangelique stated and we looked at Gabrielle. �She didn�t say anything because I told her not to.�
�Why didn�t you tell us?� Kristin asked,
�Cause you would�ve told Nick,� Evangelique replied.
�Doesn�t he know?�
�He does now,� Evangelique said. �When he came by �BG� Cameron was there. He had to open his mouth too. I didn�t get to tell Nicky like I wanted to.�
�Why didn�t you tell him right away?� Gabrielle asked.
�I don�t know,� Evangelique stated. �I didn�t want to and I couldn�t do it. Nick�s my best friend and I tell him everything, but I couldn�t tell him I�m getting married.� We looked at her. �I have no idea why either.�
�You�re in love with him,� Amanda said smiling.
�What?� Evangelique questioned. �I am not.�
�Yes you are,� Amanda said.
�You guys have no idea what you�re talking about,� Evangelique said.
�Don�t deny it, Evangelique. You fell in love with Nick.�
�No I didn�t,� Evangelique said shaking her head. �He�s my best friend and knows all my secrets. What kind of relationship would that be?�
�A good one,� Kristin said and I nodded in agreement. �If you love Nick, just say it. We won�t say anything to him and you�ll feel better getting it out.�
�I ain�t in love with Nick,� Evangelique said. �I only love him as much as friends can love each other.� She looked at us, as we all looked at her.
CHAPTER 7