chapter 1

Labor Day. "Would you two go outside and play!" Vanessa says in a stern voice to Trent and Madalyn who are running around playing tag. The two children disappear from the kitchen. Vanessa grabs a package of hotdogs, some buns, and a bag of chips cramming them into the elbow of one arm while picking up the veggie plater with her free hand.

"I'll take that," Nickola says reaching for the veggie platter in Vanessa's hand.

"Please," she says exhausted. "And you think he would have wondered what's taking me so long. Men." Vanessa says as she shakes her head. "Where's Zara at?"

"Oh my mom's in town. Ya know she loves to spend the night whenever mom's here. She'll bring her by later," Nickola says grabbing a carrot. "I noticed the Ferrari out front. Was kinda hoping he'd skip the party," she says bitting the carrot.

"Kellen...miss an opportunity to see you. Never," Vanessa says sarcastically. Nickola rolls her eyes. The two ladies exit the kitchen and make their way to the backyard.

"Here's the rest of them." Vanessa hands a package of hotdogs to Greyson. She puts the rest of the items on a table next to the cooler. He opens the package and puts the hotdogs on the grill.

"Good to see you again Nikki," says Kellen with a wide smile.

"Hello Kellen," says Nicola as she looks away to scan the others at the party. There is good crowd of people composed of Vanessa's family and Greyson's coworkers. The kids are playing in the pool while others enjoy the eighty degree weather. Her mind begins to drift to last Labor Day. "Why does everything have to be your way? You're so selfish!" Wes yelled. "How's that when every other time we're with your parents? I want to come to one party my friend has and I'm selfish," said Nickola. "Yes Nikki. It always has to be your way!" Nickola's thoughts are broken by a tiny voice, "Mommy!" Zara runs and gives Nickola a hug.

"Hey you made it," she says returning the hug. Zara spots Madalyn and runs off with her.

Nickola's mother comes to greet everyone before leaving. "So Nikki there's still an opening at the firm. A much more comfortable chair than the one you're sitting in I bet." Kellen says with a chuckle.

"The chair I sit in is fine. And I like my job." Nickola says obviously annoyed.

"How long have you been there?"

"Fifteen years. It's my career now."

"I hear they offer a good retirement package," says Greyson. He puts the cooked hotdogs on a platter and gives it to Vanessa.

"Yes, and with the years I've put in I may as well stay. I'm half way there."

"There's nothing wrong with driving a bus," Vanessa says defensively.

"I'm not saying there is. Just saying there's something better," says Kellen.

"Alright," Vanessa sighs. "I'm gonna get me a drink." She pulls Nickola by the wrist giving Greyson a why did you invite him look.

"He just doesn't quit!" Nickola says as she rolls her eyes.

"Greyson only keeps him around for his brains", Vanessa laughs. "Trent, Madalyn time to eat" she says as she motions for the kids to get out of the pool.

"You too Zara!" shouts Nickola.

They walk over to the patio table and get the kids situated to eat. Vanessa brings two wine coolers and hands one to Nickola. "Ugh," Nickola whines as she takes one of the wine coolers.

"Just one," Vanessa pressures her.

"Hey Mrs. V," Bronze shouts from behind. The sun makes the gold on his teeth and around his neck shine.

Vanessa turns around, "Hey Bronze."

"Herring?" Nickola says squinting her eyes. "Look at you," her eyes travel from his head to his feet.

"Right! Pretty boy in da flesh," Bronze says. "Where the drinks at?" he asks rubbing the palm of his hands together. His blonde tipped dreads sway back and forth as he talks. Vanessa points to the red container on the ground. Bronze makes his way to the cooler and grabs two drinks.

"Hello," Herring says. Nickola stands up to hug him.

"How are you?" she says happily.

"I'm doing good," he says.

"Wow how long has it been?"

"About seven years I think."

"Seven years," Nickola says shaking her head. "How long you here for?"

Bronze returns. He twists off the top of the drinks, takes a huge gulp from his and passes one to Herring. "He's thinking about living here" Vanessa interrupts.

"Oh," says Nickola with a surprised look.

"Well at least for now," his smile revealing a dimple on his cheek.

"Yo you ready?" Bronze asks tapping Herring on the elbow. Raising the bottle he looks at Vanessa and says, "Thanks for the drink Mrs. V."

"I'm gonna start charging you," Vanessa says.

"I got you," he says smiling and walks away.

"It's good to see you", Nickola says to Herring.

"Good to see you too," he says and turns to follow Bronze. Her eyes follow him as he walks into the house.

"He really turned out to be handsome."

"I mean look at his father," Vanessa says smiling as she takes a swallow from her drink.

"You've got a point," Nickola says.

The sun is beginning to set and the crowd is dwindling. "Thanks for coming," Greyson says to the last few leaving. Vanessa is inside putting a movie on for the children. Nickola is cleaning off the patio table.

"Hey I wasn't trying to be rude with what I said earlier," Kellen says approaching Nickola.

"I'm over it", she says throwing a paper plate in the trash bag she's holding. He looks up to the sky and sighs. Greyson comes over, "I just spoke with Donnie. He's going to have that folder to you tomorrow before noon," he says to Kellen.

"Ok yeah," he looks at Greyson. "See ya tomorrow," Kellen shakes Greyson's hand. "Have a good night Nikki", he says in a defeated tone.

"You too," she says but doesn't look up. Kellen turns and leaves walking by the side of the house. Nickola and Greyson join Vanessa and the kids inside.

"Honey can you get the kids ready for bed?" Vanessa ask from the kitchen. Both kids moan as he pulls them up from the couch. "Mum says its bedtime".

"Goodnight," Trent and Madalyn say in unison as they wave goodbye to Zara and Nickola.

"Let's go Zara," Nickola says. She peeks her head in the kitchen, "See ya Friday."

"Ok. Here, take this to work. I know how you love feeding your coworkers," Vanessa hands her a box filled with left over chips, sodas, and cookies from the party. She takes the box and walks to the front door. At the same time she's opening the door Herring is pushing it to come inside. She gasps and nearly drops the box. Herring reacts quickly to help keep the box from hitting the floor. His tall lean body is slightly bent so that his eyes meet hers.

"Sorry," he says helping Nickola steady the box. "I'll take it to your car for you."

"Thanks" she says releasing the box to him. "Buckle up," she says to Zara before shutting her door. "So, when did you get here? Vanessa said you were thinking about visiting."

"I arrived yesterday," he said closing the trunk. "A visit was the plan but that has since changed."

"You staying here?" she asks looking back at the house.

"Just for two weeks. I found a place downtown".

"It's so crazy to think, for years I've seen you in magazines and billboards and now you're here," Nickola says.

"The real me," he lightly scratches his eyebrow.

"The real you," she smiles. They stare at each other for a moment. His sea green eyes look like emeralds with the absence of the sun.

"Good to see you and Bronze are still friends."

"Yeah, that's my guy."

"Mommy I'm tired can we go?" Zara whines.

"Well I'm sure I'll see ya soon. I'm over here enough." Herring smiles and nods. Nickola turns to get in her car. He watches her as she pulls out of the driveway.