AJ sits down at the table opposite Brian. “Lookin’ pretty cosy here guys.”
Brian shrugs. “I guess.”
AJ looks up at Nick. “So… You been getting’ some ass with my cousin?”
Nick blushes and sits down. “Nup.”
Brian stares at him. “You said you did!”
Nick shrugs. “I never actually SAID I did.”
“It was implied!”
“Yeah, well… I didn’t. We fell asleep.”
AJ eyes him. “Sure?”
“Yup.”
“Final answer?”
Nick nods. “Truth.”
“Ok.” He looks at Brian, “How about you?”
Brian blushes. “What’s it to you? Jade’s not your cousin.”
“I care, ok?!” They stare at each other. “So?”
“I’m not telling you that stuff man! It’s private.”
AJ leans back and folds his arms. “Whatever.” He looks at Nick. “Ali means a lot to me. I never had a sister so she’s the closest thing I’ve got to one. So you better treat her good. You hurt her and your ass is mine.”
“Don’t start on me!” Nick whines.
“I’m not startin’ anything. As long as YOU don’t,” he sighs. “So, you both goin’ to the beach?”
“Yup,” Brian nods. “I want to spend as much time with Jade as possible before our schedule kicks in again.”
“Ditto. For Ali,” Nick adds.
AJ stands up. “I guess I should go. I don’t wanna play gooseberry anytime soon.”
Brian shrugs. “Might be a good idea.”
Nick glances at them both. “Whatever you think AJ.”
“Poor AJ, I mean he’s loved you for practically forever! You just met Brian and all of a sudden BANG, he’s your boyfriend. He is your boyfriend, right?”
Jade shrugs. “I dunno, I guess so.”
“Have y’all made love?” I ask, placing my hands on my hips trying to wipe the smile off my face. She stops slicing the croissants and turns away blushing. “Oh my gosh!” I whisper, loudly. “That’s so sweet! Was he any good?” I ask, as she gives me a playful shove.
“Not that you need to know, but HELL YEAH! It was really romantic,” she whispers back, as the guys turn around to look at us. She gives them a smile then turns back to breakfast. “What about you and Nick?” she asks.
“No, not yet. I really want to, though. I swear when I’m around him it’s unbelievably hard to keep my hands off!”
She giggles. “Same way with Brian! I can’t believe you didn’t have sex with him! I mean, that’s not like you. I can’t even count on both hands the number of guys you’ve slept with on first dates!”
I frown, giving her a cold stare. “Come on, you know I don’t do that anymore. I guess in a city like Brooklyn, at least the part of the city I lived in, you’re pretty much raised that way. I grew up way too fast.”
She nods, and gives me an understanding look. “I know Ali. Well, I bet the boys are getting hungry, let’s go serve the croissants.”
I nod and pick up the tray of croissants.
Ali carries the plate of croissants to the table as AJ stands up. “Where are you goin’?”
He shrugs. “I figured I’d pull out of the beach thing.”
I walk over to him and put a hand on his arm. “Don’t do that AJ.”
He looks at me. “I’m not into the gooseberry role.”
“That role isn’t cast,” I laugh. “Besides, Nick’s comin’ too.”
Ali nods. “And I gotta work until 1pm.”
Nick looks at her. “You do?”
She nods. “The phone call…?”
“Oh yeah… But you’ll be along after 1pm?”
“Yup,” she giggles. “Try and stop me.”
“I won’t,” he kisses her.
AJ rolls his eyes. “Ok, but come 1pm I’m outta there.”
“Ok,” I smile. “You might’ve found some beach babe by then anyway.”
“Hmm,” he shrugs. “Maybe.”
AJ sits down again and reaches for a croissant as Brian tries to pull me down onto his lap. I step away from him and sit next to AJ. I don’t want to hurt AJ by making my relationship with Brian so obvious. Brian watches me eat for a while and then reaches out to hold my hand. I move my hand away from his and engage AJ in meaningless conversation. After a few minutes, Brian stands up and heads out of the room without a word. I sigh. He looks pissed. I had hoped that maybe he would realise we should be subtle around AJ, but obviously not. I stand up as Ali starts telling AJ about her Rolling Stone job.
Brian is in my room, pulling his shirt on over his pants. I walk over to him and wrap my arms around his waist. He stiffens slightly but I don’t let go until he starts to relax.
“I’m sorry honey,” I kiss his neck softly. “I just know that AJ kinda has feelings for me and I don’t want to hurt him any more that he already is.”
He turns round to face me and brushes my hair back from my face. “But he’s got to accept that it’s you and me now.”
“I know. And he will. But we don’t need to rub his nose in it.”
“True,” he kisses me.
“So today… We should be a little wary.”
“Ok,” he kisses me again. “Just as long as I’m the one you call honey.”
“Honey,” I say, laughing.
“Mmm, I love the way you say that Jady,” his lips move down my neck and across my shoulders.
“Honey, honey, honey…”