chapter 16

Friday after work Nickola rushes home and changes into something casual. A light blue pair of jeans, a long sleeve v-neck white shirt, and a black pair of heels. She applies a thin line of eyeliner on her eyes and pink lipstick on her lips. A few strokes brushes of pink blush over her cheeks. The sitter arrives at the same time as Miles pulls up into the driveway. Nickola informs the sitter of Zara's dinner and bedtime. She grabs her leather jacket and kisses Zara goodnight on the cheek.

They arrive at the comedy club. Outside next to the entrance a sign reads Funny Bone. Miles ask a bystander to take a photo of them in front of the sign. Once inside they go to the bar. He orders a beer for himself and a water for Nickola . The tables are close together creating a tight spaced environment. They walk towards the second table in the center closest to the stage.

"So you want us to get picked on?" Nickola ask before sitting.

Miles laughs heartily. "They'll be plenty of others to get picked on too," he motions his hand to the other tables surrounding them.

"Make sure you point to them when the comedian starts cracking jokes on me," she smiles.

The waitress comes and takes their order. "Have you ever been here?" Miles ask.

"Once. The guy who played on Police Academy was here. He's crazy talented. He can do any sound with his mouth."

"Oh yeah. Michael Winslow. I remember that movie. He is good."

People pour into the cramped room. The waitress returns with two orders of hot wings and loaded French fries. Nickola fans at her mouth after the first bite.

"Oh come one. It's not that hot," he says picking up a wing.

"I'm a wimp when it comes to spicy food," she smiles.

A woman appears on stage and introduces the first comedian. Miles is sitting across from Nickola. He turns his chair around to face the stage. The opening act begins followed by the guest comedian. Nickola likes this side of Miles so down to earth. She smiles as he laughs during the acts. Her phone vibrates. A text from Herring: Brunch tomorrow?

Nickola: Sure. Zara has piano till ten-thirty.

Herring: I'll come round to pick you up at eleven-thirty?

Nickola: How bout you come here and I'll make breakfast.

Herring: I'll have Madalyn and Trent with me.

Nickola: thumbs up emoji

The show ends and they walk slowly with the crowd to the exit.

"I leave for Orlando Sunday. I'll be attending a business seminar," he says.

"Nice! For how long?"

"Till Thursday. I'm going to spend a couple of extra days there. I'll be back on Sunday."

"This is gonna be really good for you," excitement in her voice.

"Yeah. It's time. I've been putting it off for too long. I'm going to see Devaun tomorrow and I'd like to see you too before I leave."

"What time?" Nickola remembers her brunch date with Herring.

"I can come around in the evening after I drop Devaun back off," he suggest.

"I'm hosting a Mary Kay party at my house. I can prolly squeeze you in," she smirks.

"I appreciate that," he smiles.

====

The next day. Nickola and Zara return from piano practice. She immediately starts cooking breakfast. After browning the sausage she drains the fat and pours it into a casserole dish. Next she cracks the eggs into a mixing bowl. Adding a splash of milk, a dash of salt, and pepper she stirs everything together. She empties a package of shredded hash browns into the dish followed by the eggs. Last cheddar cheese is sprinkled on top. She sets the timer and pops the dish in the oven.

Forty-five minutes later. The timer beeps and soon after Herring arrives with Madalyn and Trent.

"You brought your doll!" Zara says excited. She grabs Madalyn by the hand and they run off to her room.

"Zara you girls can play later. It's time to eat," Nickola shouts from the kitchen.

She butters some toast and scoops a serving onto each plate adding extra to Herrings plate. After they eat the children retreat to Zara's room. Herring helps Nickola clear the table.

"I could get use to this," he says plopping down on the couch.

"Use to what?" Nickola ask.

"I intended to take you out. But since you continue to deny me the privilege I'll settle for a home cooked meal," he smiles.

"We'll don't look for it next Saturday," she joins him on the couch. "How'd you end up with those two?"

"Dad had to go into the office and Vanessa is covering for someone."

"Oh." Nickola flicks through the tv channels.

"Come with me to New York," he demands.

"When?" she puts the remote down and looks at him.

"Saturday. I've got work in the city."

"So if you're gonna be working where will I be?"

"With me on set. If you want to. I will be filming a commercial."

"Hm," she puts her hand to her chin. "My car is old. I don't think it can handle the drive."

"Take mine," he offers. "I can take the train and we can drive back together on Sunday."

"What! I can't," her eyebrows pulled together.

"Of course you can."

"You trust me to drive your car?" She says shocked.

"You drive a bus. I think I can trust you with my car."

After briefly considering his invitation Nickola agrees.

====

Later that evening. Vanessa and Ros gather at Nickola's house. They are joined by a few other ladies from Vanessa job. Mingling in the kitchen they fill their paper plates with finger food.

"Herring ask me to go to New York with him next Saturday," Nickola says to Ros in a low voice.

She watches as Vanessa chats with the host of the party.

"That'll be romantic," she bites into a carrot.

"We'll he's filming a commercial. And he asked me to be on the set with him."

"Lucky you," Ros sticks out her bottom lip. "Wish I could be on the set of Amigas y Rivales."

"I feel like he might be," she pauses crossing her arms.

"Be in love with you?" Ros says quickly.

"No, like he's really starting to like me."

"Starting?" Ros raises one eyebrow. "I think he's liked you for a while now."

"Miles is going to Florida for the week. This trip might be the push I need to make up my mind."

"I think you've already made up your mind," stuffing a cheese cracker into her mouth.

"Ladies let's go ahead and get started," the host says.

Everyone moves into the living room. The host introduces herself and tells how long she's been with the company. She starts a facial demonstration to which Ros happily volunteers herself. The ladies watch as the host smears a green paste on her face. There is a knock at the door.

"Miles said he would stop by tonight," Nickola says to Vanessa.

She opens the door to find Herring standing behind it. Her eyes go wide and her smile is replaced by sudden shock.

"Vanessa's here," she whispers. She steps out and closes the door behind her.

"Sorry. Madalyn thinks she left her bag earlier. I promised I'd have a look."

"What does it look like?"

"She said a frozen purse," he sounds unsure. "There's money in it."

Nickola thinks nervously. "Meet me at Zara's window. Give me a minute. I don't want Vanessa to suspect anything."

Herring looks in the direction of Zara's room and nods. Nickola goes back inside.

"He didn't wanna come in?" Vanessa ask curiously.

"It was the pizza guy. He had the wrong address," wishing she could come up with something better.

The host is rubbing something on Zara's hand.

"Is this okay mom? She says I can just wash it off," Zara says.

"Yes, it's fine." Nickola discreetly slips away to Zara's room. She bumps into Ros coming out of the bathroom.

"Herring is here," she whispers anxiously.

"Why?" Ros looks confused.

"Madalyn left something when she was here earlier. He's here to pick it up."

"What did Vanessa say?" now nervous for Nickola.

"She didn't see him. He's waiting outside Zara's window."

Nickola frantically searches for the purse.

"Nikki?" Vanessa calls from the living room.

"Hurry!" Ros now frantic.

Nickola finds the purse. Ros lifts the window. Vanessa's footsteps near the room. Nickola hands Herring the purse through the window. Ros closes it just before Vanessa peaks her head into the room.

"What are ya'll doing in here?"

Nickola is picking through a rectangular box. "Looking for a safety pin for Ros," she holds up the small silver object for Vanessa to see.

"Gracias," Ros says relieved.

On the way back to the living room the doorbell rings. Nickola and Ros give each other a worried look. Nickola rushes ahead and opens the door to a sliver of a crack.

"Miles!" she says in a pleasant voice. She opens the door wider.

"Hi Miles," Vanessa says and Ros waves.

"I'm gonna step out here for a moment," she says to the ladies.

"How long do these kind of parties last?" he ask.

"An hour or so," she looks around hoping he didn't see Herring.

Miles stands looking at Nickola while smiling. "I wish you could come with me to Orlando."

"That would be nice. I don't think I could get it off at such short notice though."

"I know," he looks down. It seems like he wants to say more. "Well I'll see you when I get back."

He gives her a hug and quick peck on the lips.

"Have a safe trip," she says as he leaves.

Back inside the women flip through the Mary Kay pamphlets for something to buy. Nickola stands beside Ros.

"Tonight I think my chances for high blood pressure increased fifty percent," Ros says with her hand over her chest.

"Stop!" Nickola smiles.

She looks at Nickola. "This is the last Mary Kay party I'm ever coming to." They both laugh.