Waking up with a massive headache wasn’t exactly what Nichelle had had in mind for the morning after. Nothing had gone according to plan and that was due to faulty planning and her overall stupidity.

“How the hell do you drink the wrong glass Nichelle?” She scratched her matted hair taking note of the fact that she was still wearing what she had on the night before; proof that Justin hadn’t stayed.

When she heard a muffled whimper her second question had been answered. Jumping up, a little too fast, she raced to the bathroom. She swung the door open and Baby ran straight for her legs in a fit of excitement.

“Aw my poor Baby! Did I leave you in there all alone?” She cooed and picked up the puppy. She inspected what was left of her neat bathroom and groaned. Toilet paper was scattered every which way and she could see spots in the carpet where Baby had let it be known that she did not like being cooped up in a small space all night.

“Let’s get this cleaned up…later” She sighed and headed for the kitchen in search of sustenance. That thought was immediately put on hold when the phone rang. Taking cautious steps, so as not to provoke a dizzy spell she made her way toward the ringing device.

“Hello?” She answered hurriedly hoping it was who she knew it was.

“Nichelle, the love of my life. How are you? How’s the story going?” Her eyes narrowed at the bass voice. Damn you faulty instinct, she thought bitterly. Only one person would try to make a mockery of her in so many words.

“Thomas, the bane of my existence. I’m just fine. As a matter of fact I’m better then fine. Everything is going better than planned.” She smiled triumphantly into the phone as if she could see the displeased look on his face.

“Oh really? That’s great. Do you have notes to send me? Maybe so as to reassure me that what you’re saying isn’t just a bunch of bullshit like I know it is?”

She fought to keep her temper at bay. “Now, that you mention it, I do have a few things to send you but bear in mind it could be ticking when it arrives.”

“Oh Nichelle, you are the feisty one aren’t you?” He chuckled.

“Only for you Thomas, but, as titillating as this conversation is I have to get back to more important things and you don’t happen to be one of them.” She slammed the phone down on the receiver.

“The nerve of that pompous prick!” She ranted and let Baby wiggle from her grasp. “I will not let him make me feel like shit. I won’t!” Taking cover, Baby found solace under the bed as Nichelle stormed toward the ringing phone once more.

“Thomas, stop fucking calling me! I’m going to get the story done you sorry excuse for a man, let alone a human being!” Stopped long enough to catch her breath and listen to the silence on the other end of the receiver. “Well, say something!” She demanded.

“A ‘hello’ would have sufficed but that’s just me.” Nichelle gasped and felt the waves of dizziness wash over her again.

“Justin, I am so sorry! I thought you were…I thought…I’m really sorry!” For the first time since they had met she was the one at a loss for words. She had let her emotions get the better of her and almost made a fatal mistake in the plan. Not that it had gone off without a hitch from day one, but she knew she was making great time with him.

He chuckled and proceeded to ask her about this story and Thomas character but thought the better of it, relinquishing his thoughts to easy conversation. “Don’t worry about it. Not having such a great day I take it? Are you okay?” It surprised her that he sounded genuinely concerned. The thought made her smile sincerely. 

“Yea, I’m fine. Not such a good day or night…” She trailed off hoping he’d fill her in on what exactly happened.

“I thought the night was pretty eventful.” Chills ran up his spine as he remembered how her lips felt sliding over his.

“Was it now? Why don’t you fill me in over lunch?”

He shouldn’t have been surprised that she would have the balls to ask him out yet again. He was definitely coming up short in the balls department, he thought. Without much reluctance he agreed to meet her downstairs at 2 o’clock sharp.

Placing the phone back on its cradle Justin walked to the big bay window in his hotel suit and starred out at the clear blue sky. The apartment building sitting adjacent had Christmas lights strung about it and reminded him that it was still the season for giving despite the warm weather and palm trees planted in their own island separating the left and right lanes of the street below.

The vibration of his cell phone knocked him out of his blank thoughts and back to the real world. He didn’t bother looking at the digital read out of the caller. He knew exactly who it would be.

“Hey pumpkin.”

“Hi daddy! What are you doing? Buying me lots and lots of presents? Nana and Pop took me and Uncle John to the store to buy presents. I got you something really really neat daddy!” He smiled into the phone as he listened to his daughter ramble.

“As a matter of fact I did, you’re really going to like it I think. It’s pink and goes really fast.” He waited a beat until he heard the reaction he was anticipating.

She gasped in excitement as only a 5 year old could. “The Barbie convertible! You’re the best daddy in the whole wide wide world! I got you something too!”

“Oh did you? What’s that pumpkin?”

“Daddy, I can’t tell you duh!” He chuckled as he moved away from the window and into the closet in search of something to wear for his lunch date with Nicky.

“Oh, I’m sorry pumpkin. I just thought since I’m the best daddy in the whole wide wide world I should know what I’m getting.” He stated pulling out a dark sweater and decided it was much too warm for it.

“You can come home and see.” He heard the moment her emotion fell. It had him frowning a bit and wishing he could be there to make her smile.

“Pumpkin, I’m really trying hard to get home to you for Christmas but I can’t promise you anything.”

“I really miss you daddy.” The octave at which she’d said this had his heartbreaking in a million pieces. He closed his eyes, willing away the tears he could feel building up.

“I miss you too pumpkin and I promise I will be there for New Years. I have to kiss my favorite baby girl on the cheek at midnight.” The weight on his heart lifted a bit when he heard her giggle.

“Daddy, I’m you’re only baby girl!” She said matter-of-factly. 

After chatting with his parents and little brother, Justin hung up with an ache in his chest. He needed something to take his mind off of everything, then he brought his mind back to Nicky and the sly grin had returned.

*******

Why was she so nervous and fidgety while looking for something perfect to wear? Nichelle thought for a moment then realized that she didn’t have even a second to spare. It was going on 1:50 and she still hadn’t picked out an outfit, accessories to match the outfit or shoes to match the accessories to match the outfit.

“Fuck!” She yelled in exasperation. Baby bounced by happily wagging her tail without a care in the world. “Yeah you just sit there with your tongue hanging out of your mouth with no problems whatsoever.” She sneered triggering a cheerful yip from the puppy. “Oh shut up dumb bitch. You’re just a stupid little bitch aren’t you? Yes you are!” Cooing obscenities at Baby had her feeling much better when the puppy began chasing her tail.

“Now, what to wear?” She threw herself back into her closet and was determined to not come out until she found ‘it.’

25 minutes later she was rushing down the hall to the elevator and praying silently that Justin hadn’t given up on their lunch date. ‘It’ turned out to be a simple black and brown tank top that flowed out at the ends and looked more like a barely there dress. The denim shorts underneath left her legs bare for the first time since she’d gotten to Miami and a pair of beige Uggs adorned her feet. 

She let out a sigh of relief as she heard the quiet ding of the elevator. The double doors opened where she crashed chest first into a hard body and was knocked back laying butt first on the carpeted floor.

“God damn it! Like the day could not get any worse! Watch where you’re…” Her words drifted off as she came face to face with none other then Justin’s concerned blue eyes and frowned brow.

“Nicky, are you okay? I’m so sorry, let me help.” He grabbed for her forearm and pulled her to her feet.

“I’m supposed to be meeting you downstairs. What are you doing?” She asked dusting herself off.

“I waited for you. When 30 minutes pasted and you still hadn’t shown up I got worried.” His gaze caught the floor as if embarrassed to admit he’d been concerned.

Aw, how fucking sugary sweet.

Putting on an exaggerated smile Nichelle stepped closer. “You were worried about me?” She let her head rest on his shoulder. “My knight.”

He chuckled as she made a grab for his arm and batted her lashes animatedly. “Okay, okay don’t rub it in. I was a little worried. Now, I’m hungry as hell. So move that pretty ass of yours.”

She watched him press the button to the elevator and without bothering to turn around he asked, “Is there anything you have planned for us after lunch?”

Nichelle didn’t bother answering as she heard the chime of the elevator and the double doors open. She smiled devilishly as she starred at his back from where she stood.

If only you knew what I have in store for you mister Timberlake. If only.

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