Dreams Do Come True (5 page)

Nico kept his head down and focused on his food. He wasn’t really hungry, but was making himself eat so the guys wouldn’t rib him. He knew it was coming, though. “So, Nico, why you so quiet man? You’re usually more talkative at events like this,” David said.

“Yes, Nico, why you so quiet? I ran into Tina when I was coming in here,” Dennis said. The table got quiet for a few minutes. Nico shot Dennis a look. John kicked him under the table. “Ouch, what the hell,” he exclaimed raising his voice as he glared at John. Nico looked over at Shontell, but he couldn’t read the expression she had on her face. She picked up her glass and didn’t look at him or Dennis. Nico hoped Dennis’ comment didn’t upset her. Out of the blue, she gave off a slight awkward laugh. He watched her pick up her fork and glance down at her plate.

“You have to excuse Mr. Tack-less over here,” John said to Nico and Shontell.

Observing the activity at the table, Martin took that as a cue to make an announcement. “Okay, everyone. I just got word that Divine Attraction’s new album,
Dedicated To You,
is number two on the billboard charts.” The room erupted in cheers. Martin sat back down and, within a few minutes, the room was back to its normal chatter. David leaned back and tapped Nico to let him know he was sorry for Dennis’ behavior. Nico nodded and let him know he was cool. They both knew Dennis had a way about him sometimes. But Shontell wouldn’t know that, and he didn’t want to cause her to feel uncomfortable around them.

Nico pushed his plate back and leaned back in his chair. He wished he could rewind to the moment she walked in. This wasn’t how he wanted the evening to begin. He was glad to see that Shontell’s mood had changed. Nico smiled at Shontell as she was making jibes with their drummer, Vince. She was so different from Tina. Tina would have never interacted with everyone as she was. He knew then he had made the right choice. He noticed that David had been watching Shontell too. Although he was sure his reasons were way different from his, it probably stemmed from their earlier conversation. He observed how she handled the room with ease. Although the group was comprised of mostly men, she mastered the situation elegantly.

David spotted Shontell as she was talking to John, laughing at something he said to her. She was enjoying herself, despite his brother’s comments. That put him somewhat at ease. He had been worried that Dennis was going to damage any beginning Nico and Shontell had. He then quickly looked over to where Nico was seated. He was glad that, for once, Nico had an interest in a woman again. Nico was the one that had always kept his distance. He may have gone out and indulged every now and then, but for the most part, he was the groups’ serious one. 

Nico looked up as the room erupted in cheers and music. Shontell was dancing with John. They were doing old school dances. They were going back and forth, competing with each other. He laughed, watching them. Martin came over and sat in the chair next to him. They both watched in silence. Nico’s thought was that he wanted what David had. He knew if anyone understood his emotions it would be him. David met Felecia, his wife, at one of their concerts. He felt a sudden tap on his knee as Martin was laughing extremely hard at the impromptu dance contest. Nico continued watching them.

Martin was like a father to them. He had been their manager since the beginning. Martin had wanted to snatch that Tina girl up earlier. If he found out who it was that told her they were there, he would give them hell. He didn’t like his boys hurt, and he knew that she was just plain trouble. Now that Shontell, she was what Nico needed. The look he had on his face said he knew that too. Martin scooted his chair closer and got Nico’s attention. “I see you watching her, son. You like her?” he asked. Nico nodded his head as they both continued watching them dance for a second. Shontell was dancing against David and Vince at the same time.

“Well, I think that one is worth it. Go for it.”

“Thank you, Martin. That means a lot to me…your approval, that is. But if she gives me the go ahead, I definitely will,” he told him. Shontell looked up at that moment and their eyes locked. She smiled at him, and he returned her smile. He knew he would never get tired of seeing the way her face lit up when she smiled.

The music stopped, and they all clapped. She hugged Vince, David, and John and then grabbed a water bottle. Heading in his direction, she sat down in the chair that Martin had just vacated.

“Why didn’t you come save me?” she joked with him. She put the bottle to her mouth and chugged the entire contents in two seconds. He watched her, chuckling.

“Thirsty?”

“Heck, yeah. I haven’t danced like that since I decided to lose weight. It’s great cardio. You guys have too much energy for me,” she told him, laughing and still trying to catch her breath. After a few minutes, Shontell turned towards him. She took his hand and kissed the back of it.  “Before they all come back over, my answer is yes. I will give this a shot; let’s see where this friendship will take us.” Nico looked at her. He wanted to kiss her right then, but refrained.

“Thank you!” he told her, smiling from ear to ear.

“For what? I should be thanking you for choosing me,” she told him, winking. They both scooted to the table as they were served dessert. It was vanilla bean cheesecake, she told him as she took her fork and dug into it. She closed her eyes and moaned slightly at its taste. Nico stared at her because that simple act had him squirming. Nico has never seen anything so sensual and sexy on a woman. She took another forkful and pointed the fork in his direction. He opened his mouth and accepted the cheesecake. The taste was divine. He closed his eyes the same way she did, but hoped he didn’t moan the way she did. “This is one of my favorite desserts,” she told him.

“I can see why. It just became my all-time favorite,” he responded as they both smiled. Neither of them even saw Dennis watching them.

Nico and Shontell finished off both pieces of the cheesecake. She excused herself to go to the restroom, and Nico felt like he had just won the lottery. He was so glad that he didn’t mess things up with her. He really thought he blew it. When he left her earlier, he pulled out the cards she had given him. He didn’t even remember when he started bringing them with him when they traveled. Some days they gave him the boost he needed. She had a way with words, which always left him in deep thought. If she knew how many songs they produced, it would probably blow her mind. When he first started getting them, they all would swap and read what they said. He knew after the first few words they were just for him, as they were never duplicated. It was as if the words from her cards had hit him all at once. He didn’t know how he would have handled it…if she had said no. Nico knew she was the one and wanted to make sure that she knew it as well.

Earlier that day, Nico found a florist. He had wanted to get something special for when she got home. He ordered a dozen lilies and orchids for Shontell to be delivered tomorrow. He heard her tell one of the fellas they were her favorite. Nico wanted the week to go by fast. Their concert tomorrow in Indiana was going to be a good one. He felt it. Being an entertainer had its advantages and its disadvantages when it came to relationships. His mother was always telling him that he would find the one when he least expected it. He thought, for once, that she was spot on. He was looking forward to getting to know Shontell. 

Shontell pulled her gloss out of her clutch and applied it to her lips. She was closing the cap as Tina walked out of the stall. As they were washing their hands, they looked at one another through their reflection. This woman thought she had the upper hand. She was way too much of a good person to even give her the satisfaction. Tina dried her hands and pulled her dress down. The dress was so tight and short…it didn’t move an inch. She watched her in amusement. Hoping her facial expression didn’t give away her thoughts, she glanced over her outfit again. Back in the day, the dress was referred to as a move-something dress. She wasn’t aware that they were back in style. They both walked out together, but headed in opposite directions. Shontell shook her head as she heard Tina say,
“
Let the best woman win
.
”
Guess there went Nico’s guarantee.
As she headed back into the hospitality suite, she saw that she had a voicemail. She listened to the message and started smiling. She had forgotten her friend was performing tonight. She had an idea.

The dessert was being cleared away when she sat back down. The guys were talking about what they had chosen to do with their free evening. They were hitting the other two casinos downtown. The band members and the others were all talking in a group. She, Nico, and Martin were all still sitting at the table. She turned to Nico and smiled, “Are you up for a walk?”

“Yes! I think I need to walk off that dessert. I can meet you in the lobby in ten minutes?”

“Okay, that’s fine,” she told him, as he got up and went to where the others were. She heard Martin call her name, and gave him her undivided attention. He asked her to follow him. “You are doing a great job so far this weekend. I will be sending a ton of work your way. I hope you are ready for it,” he told her as he grabbed one of the last desserts from another passing server. Spooning a hefty piece into his mouth, he shook his head in response to the taste. 

“This dessert is plain sinful,” he told her, finishing it off and setting the plate on the pickup tray.  Shontell nodded her head in agreement. He returned his attention back to her, wiping his mouth.

“Thank you so much.” Shontell responded.  “I am sure I will be. I can’t thank you enough for this opportunity.” She hugged Martin, and he laughed.

I can’t thank you enough for making Nico smile, because his smile had been lost for a while. You seem to have found a way to bring it back. You are just what he needs. Just wait. You two will be great together. Just remember to not let outsiders and the industry tear down what you two are starting to build. Communication is the ultimate key.”

“Thank you for the advice. I will keep it close to heart,” she told him. She admired Martin very much. She kissed his cheek and then headed out of the suite. Quickly entering her room, she grabbed her jacket and returned her missed call. Calling her dad, she told him she wanted to stop by. He said it was okay. She ended her call. She smiled as her idea was coming to life. She hoped Nico liked it. She grabbed her purse and headed back downstairs. When she got on the elevator, she was joined by Dennis. He didn’t say much as they rode down, but she felt him watching her.

“Is something wrong?” she asked him, just as they were getting to the first floor.

“Don’t hurt him,” was all Dennis said as he got off the elevator with her. Shontell was completely perplexed by his words and just stood there for a moment. Dennis looked back at her, not with hatred but with sincerity. She realized he was looking out for his friend, the same as Sandy would do for her. As she walked toward Nico, she saw he wasn’t alone. Tina was standing there with another woman talking to him. The other woman had her arms around Nico as they took pictures. Shontell just stood back and watched. Tina looked her way, and Shontell knew it was time to interrupt. She walked over to the group, smiling the whole time. Nico saw her and reached for her hand as she stood by his side. The look on Tina’s face was priceless.

“Okay, ladies, it’s time to get my evening started. It was nice meeting you, Diane. Now both of you enjoy your evening,” he told them. They walked toward the lobby exit still hand in hand. The night air greeted them as they walked out into the street. “So where are we headed?” he asked.

She loved the fact that he treated them like the fans they were, and kept it moving. It may not have been something he saw as a big deal…but for her, it was. He got two points for that. “I have a little surprise for you.”

“Oh really?” he said, enjoying the gleam in her eyes. 

Dennis was standing against the wall. He watched the exchange between Tina, her friend, Nico and Shontell.  Tina may make this easier than he imagined it would be. But, would it be more interesting to stir the pot a little more.  He thought for a moment about what he had done. He had paid Tina a good amount of money to show up at this hotel. Nico would never go back to her, but he knew her demeanor would at least cause some ruffles. Now it was time to add some waves. He knew he probably shouldn’t be doing this, but he couldn’t let Nico fall in love with Shontell. He didn’t want to let that side of his friend go again. Nico became a different person when he was with a woman. First it happened when he was with Tina, and now Dennis saw it happening with Shontell. He didn’t think that Shontell was bad for Nico, but he had already noticed a change in him. He didn’t want a woman to shake up their equilibrium. That was what his brother did with Felecia in the beginning. Dennis wasn’t saying they all had to be single, but why did love have to make them change? He couldn’t explain it. John would always be the carefree one. He just liked to have fun. It didn’t always include partying, or a woman, and he was cool with that. Dennis would never admit that he was being selfish. He shrugged his shoulders and made up his mind. He watched Tina in action from his view of the lounge and was glad she wasn’t in the mix anymore. She was useful for what he needed. He took his cell out of his back pocket and dialed a number. He diverted his attention elsewhere as he watched Nico and Shontell walk out the lobby doors. Dennis put his foot on the wall and listened to the ringing on the line. Jesse answered on the fourth ring.

“Hey, what was the name of the lady you used to be engaged to? Really? Okay, so have you talked with her lately? Maybe it’s time you do! Oh, and you are confirmed for the cruise.” Dennis continued his conversation with Jesse until John signaled that they were ready. He gave their destination to him and ended his call. He smiled and headed out behind the group.