Nikolas led Carly to a corner of the restaurant. He pulled out her chair; "Thank you" Carly said winking at Nikolas. Did I just do that?" she thought, "I can't possibly be flirting with him can I?
Nikolas smiled and winked back as he slid across form her. They ordered drinks and chatted for a few minutes.
"Carly, Nikolas" Jax called approaching the table, "How are you?"
Carly stiffened, hoping he had the class to not start a scene. She turned and smiled at him. "Hi Jax, I am wonderful and you?"
Jax completely ignored the question and looked at Nikolas, ""How is John?"
"He's good" Nikolas replied.
"Who's with him right now?" Jax asked.
"Emily, although that's really none of your business" Nikolas told him. Jax held up his hands apologetically.
"Sorry, meant no harm" Jax said, "Kind of like you when you stole my son"
Carly stood up ready for the explosion to come.
"Your son?" Nikolas shouted, "I think you have that backwards, you mean my son?"
Jax started to walk away but Nikolas grabbed his arm, "You hated it" Nikolas snarled, "You hated it that she loved me more. That's why you stole my son"
"No" Jax yelled back getting right into Nikolas's face. "What I couldn't stand was your lucky streak, You had great memories with Courtney and the child that rightfully should have been mine but make no mistake Nikolas had Courtney lived she would have come back to me"
Nikolas lifted his arm as if to strike Jax but Carly came between them, "Nikolas" she pleaded, "Let's just get out of here, please".
Nikolas nodded and took out his wallet. He put some money into Jax's hand, "For the drinks" he mumbled. He offered Carly his arm and together they walked out the door.
"One day Carly is going to learn to mind her own business" Jax mumbled under his breath as he watched them leave.
Nikolas went home and picked John up, he managed to escape with no warnings from Emily about Carly. He took John with him back to Carly's where the two of them sat on the floor watching movies and eating pizza with the kids. After Michael and Morgan were in bed, Nikolas collected little John from the room he was sleeping in and Carly walked him to the door.
"I had fun despite the little scene I caused" Nikolas told her, "I am really sorry"
"Don't worry about it" Carly said, "Your hurting and you exploded it happens, trust me I invented it"
Nikolas laughed and looked into her eyes. Before Nikolas even realized what he was doing, his lips brushed hers. Carly's arms wrapped around his neck and she deepened the kiss. Nikolas's licked her upper lip, pleading for entrance into her mouth and it was that moment Carly snapped back to reality.
"No" she mumbled pushing him away, "We can't. I am sorry"
Nikolas backed out of the door, "I am sorry too," he mumbled. He picked his son up and hurried away.
Carly was furious with her self for kissing him back. What is my problem? Carly thought angrily, what happened to being alone for a while Carly? She slipped into bed and tried to sleep but her thoughts kept coming back to Nikolas. She wondered if he truly felt something for her, or if he was just lonely and grieving. "It doesn't matter" Carly mumbled, "He was my best friends fiancé "
But no matter what she told herself she couldn't forget the kiss. When she woke up the next morning from her troubled sleep, she swore she could still feel the tingle on her lips.
Nikolas had called several times, leaving messages begging her to call back but she didn't. Nikolas was an amazing friend but Carly was far too messed up to get involved with anyone right now.
Carly spent the day playing with Michael and Morgan. When she finally put them to bed, she threw on her own pajamas and made popcorn, preparing to watch some sappy, sad movie. There was a knock on the door.
"Damn, who in the hell" Carly mumbled as she opened the door. She gasped when she saw Nikolas standing there. "Nikolas, what?"
"You avoided me all day" Nikolas interrupted her. "That is not acceptable"
"I don't give a damn what you find acceptable" Carly snapped and started to shut the door. Nikolas caught it with his left hand held it open.
"I am only asking for 5 minutes, please," Nikolas asked.
Carly crossed her arms, "I am timing you" Carly advised him.
"I loved Courtney" Nikolas told her. "I would have spent my life with her and I never intended to have feelings for you but I do. I think Courtney of all people would understand."
"But what will everyone else think?" Carly asked.
Nikolas laughed, "Since when do you care what anyone else thinks" He countered.
"You got me there" Carly replied, she thought about it for a moment. Nikolas was handsome, sweet, smart and a good father. The truth was she adored Nikolas and would love to start some kind of relationship with him. But apart from what everyone would say Carly had other fears, losing herself in him like she did with Sonny. Carly was afraid of a broken heart. "If we start something here, we need to take it slow"
A smile crept across his face and Nikolas took Carly's hand, "What are you saying Carly?" he asked.
Carly kissed him lightly on the lips, "Does that answer you question?" Carly teased.
"Try again" Nikolas whispered, as he captured he lips again. Carly sighed content as she steered Nikolas inside and over to the couch.