�We brought supper,� Jane, Nickolas� mother, said.
�Oh�um�� Jenai began, �come in.�
�Hey, guys,� Nickolas said joining Jenai. �It was nice of you, but JJ and I actually have plans with her brother.�
�Oh,� Jane said.
�Marty�s in town a couple days and wanted to get together,� Jenai explained. �You should�ve called.�
�We wanted to surprise you,� Robert, Nickolas� father, said.
�We�re surprised,� Nickolas said, as the door opened and they looked. �Hey, Sarge.�
�What are you guys doing here?� Jenai asked.
�We brought supper for everyone,� Kristin replied.
�As did the Carter�s ,� Jenai pointed out. �But Nick and I are having supper with Marty.�
�Not anymore,� Kevin said.
�Now what did you do?�
�I just called him and mentioned it. He said it sounded good and that you guys can go out later.�
�You do this every time Marty�s in town.�
�All your friends from Club Z will be here.�
�That�s not the point, Kevin. I hardly see Marty and you don�t care. You�re not my damn brother so get over it, alright?� She went out on the terrace and slammed the door shut. Nickolas went to go after her and Kevin stopped him.
�You�ll just upset her more,� Kevin said. �Let her go a few minutes.�
�Uh�alright,� Nickolas said.
�I know you want to help, but there are times she needs to be left alone.� Nickolas nodded. �I also know you like her.� Nickolas looked at him.
�Does everyone know? JJ knows, Marty knows, and now you.�
�And Kris.� Nickolas shook his head. �Your secret is safe with us.�
�Yeah.� He sighed. �I think Justin knows, because he keeps giving me dirty looks.�
�He�s just pissed, because I assigned you to Jenai instead of him.�
�She doesn�t want him.�
�Yeah I know. She makes sure to remind us.� They laughed. �Does she like you?�
�I don�t know. All she said was that she wants to keep it professional; no straight answer.�
�She hardly does.�
�We did kiss though.� He smiled and Kevin looked at him.
�Well I guess it�s a start, considering she hates cops.�
�She said not to get too excited on the idea of me and her getting together, because I wear a badge.�
�I wish she would quit with that.� Nickolas grinned. �She�s so stubborn.�
�But she�s a great girl, Sarge.�
�Yes she is.� Nickolas smiled. �So where were ya�s going to dinner?�
�Someplace nice and elegant, as you can tell by the clothes.� Kevin nodded. �Some other time I guess.�
�Yeah, but excuse me.� Kevin walked away and Nickolas went out on the terrace with Jenai.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Jenai heard the balcony door shut and looked to see Nickolas. He grinned and walked over to her, as she looked back out to the night. He sat beside her, but she didn�t do or say anything and stayed silent.
�Hey,� Nickolas said.
�Hi,� Jenai said.
�Are you ok?� She nodded. �Ok.�
�Marty here yet?�
�Not yet.�
�Oh.�
�Are you sure you�re all right?�
�I don�t discuss my problems with cops.�
�I ain�t wearing a badge right now and I�m just like you.�
�I don�t want to talk about it anyway.�
�You�ll feel better.�
�No I won�t.�
�A little anyway.� She didn�t say anything and looked at him. �I�m a good listener.�
�It�s not your problem and I ain�t bothering you with it.�
�C�mon.�
�Just leave it go, ok?� She got up and walked to the banister.
�If you say so.�
�I do.� They stayed silent a few minutes.
�Are you mad?� She sighed.
�No.�
�Ok.�
�When Kevin pisses me off I have a tendency to take it out on others instead of him. I�m sorry.�
�You�re forgiven.� He walked over to her. �Did I tell you you�re looking gorgeous this evening?� She looked at him a little embarrassed.
�No, but thank you.�
�You�re welcome.� She smiled.
�You look good too.�
�Thanks.�
�Welcome.� They smiled at each other. �I feel a little better. Thank you.�
�For what?�
�Just being here and making me smile.�
�Anytime.� She hugged him. �Glad to help.�
�You�re the first person I�ve ever left touch my life in a positive way like this.�
�Is that a good thing?�
�Yeah; it�s a compliment coming from me.�
�Compliment accepted.�
�Good, because I don�t give them often.� They laughed.
�So when do I get a free show?�
�Never, Detective.�
�C�mon, I deserve one after all I do for you.�
�We�ll see.�
�Ok.� He smiled.
�Nick.�
�Yeah.�
�If you�re not a cop right now then will you kiss me?� They looked at each other. �Please?� Nickolas grinned.
�I thought this was staying professional?�
�Well�� She opened his jacket. �You�re not wearing your badge are you?� She put her arms around his waist.
�No I ain�t.� He moved her hands. �But I�m not going to kiss you.�
�Why not?� She smiled. �We can kiss or whatever, as long as you�re not wearing a badge.�
�You�re something else.�
�Well ya either love me or leave me.�
�I just like ya.�
�Then kiss me, because I know you want to.� She pulled him closer. �And I want to kiss you.� She smiled and got closer to his face. �And I�m going to kiss you.�
�Really?� She continued smiling.
�Yeah.� She kissed him.
�Ok.� He put his arms around her and they continued kissing before the door opened. Someone cleared their throat and they looked to see Jakob. �Uh��
�Yeah,� Jakob said.
�What can we do for you?� Jenai asked leaving Nickolas go.
�Marty�s here with a female companion,� Jakob replied.
�Thanks,� Jenai said going inside.
�She�s really happy to see him,� Nickolas said.
�She always is,� Jakob replied and Nickolas just nodded. Nickolas took a breath and walked by Jakob to go inside. Jakob stopped him though, by grabbing his arm and the two guys looked at each other. �I�m warning you, Carter, you break her heart I�ll break your neck.� Nickolas only looked at him and Jakob left him go and went back inside. Nickolas just stood there not knowing what to think.
CHAPTER 24
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