"So, are you ready?" Carly asked. "Can you do this?"
Nikolas put his coffee down. "Can you?" he countered.
Carly chuckled, "Touché" she replied. For a moment she was quiet. Nikolas saw her staring into space.
"Carly" he said. She didn't answer and he tried again. "Carly!"
Carly jumped a little and then glared, "What?" she spat.
"You are going with me, right?" Nikolas asked. "To the wedding?"
Carly nodded, "Like I would show up without a date to my ex's wedding?" Carly asked.
"This isn't a date," Nikolas reminded her.
"I know. I know" Carly assured him. "I am not interested in you, ok? I can barely stand you as it is"
Nikolas rolled his eyes but didn't respond. He was just thankful he didn't have to attend this wedding alone.
Emily looked beautiful. Her long white train gave her the effect of floating as she descended the stairs. Nikolas's breath caught in his chest and he felt sick to his stomach. She can't do this, he thought silently. But she was doing this and he couldn't stop her.
Sonny took Emily's hands and stared lovingly into her eyes. Nikolas felt the need to leave. He almost got to his feet but something stopped him. Carly. He looked to his side and saw the tears in her eyes. This was hard for him but torture for her. Sonny was the father of her children-so much of her life was wrapped up in him.
She reached over and took Nikolas's hand. He smiled at the gesture and squeezed tightly, "Thank you," He whispered. Carly didn't reply and just as quickly as she reached out she pulled away. But Nikolas would remember that always. He promised he would.
"It's really best that Lulu get out of the Quartermaine mansion" Nikolas insisted. "Being there isn't good for her especially since Luke isn't around."
Lucky nodded, "I agree"
"Can't you discuss this another time?" Elizabeth implored. "This is Emily's wedding"
Lucky and Nikolas exchanged a glance but didn't say anything in response to that. Lucky cleared his throat. "So-how about we talk to Lulu and see how she feels about moving in with you?"
Nikolas nodded, "My thoughts exactly" Nikolas told him. "Let's talk to her tomorrow?"
"I work late but-"
Nikolas interrupted Lucky. "That would be drink number seven," Nikolas said as he watched Jason hand Carly a martini.
Elizabeth and looked at him as thought he were crazy. "Who? What?" Lucky asked looking around.
"Carly." Nikolas advised him. "She has had seven drinks."
Lucky raised his eyebrows, "So?" he asked.
"So" Nikolas started, "She is my date and I don't want her to get drunk and do something stupid"
"Carly can take care of herself" Elizabeth assured him.
"Why did you bring her anyway?" Lucky asked.
"We are friends," Nikolas explained. "We didn't want to come alone-" he stopped. "I don't have to explain this to you Lucky. Who I spend time with is none of your concern."
Lucky shrugged; "As I was saying-" Nikolas cut him off again.
"Excuse me" he said and started towards Carly who seemed to be arguing with Jason. It didn't take him long to reach Carly and it wasn't a moment too soon. She was definitely going to make a scene.
"Who in the hell do you think you are?" Carly said angrily. "I will spend time with whomever I please"
"Carly- do you ever listen?" Jason asked. "I don't care who you are friends with. I am just saying it looks like-"
"Is there a problem here?" Nikolas interrupted him. Jason turned and stared at Nikolas.
"Carly and I are having a private conversation," Jason informed him coolly.
"Well- Carly is my date and if you are upsetting her I must respectfully ask you to stop" Nikolas replied his voice even.
Jason chuckled a little, "Carly isn't your date" Jason said. "She is your friend neither of you wanted to come alone"
Nikolas nodded, "That might be true but we are still here together and her well being does matter to me so…" He motioned for Jason to leave. "Why don't you two have this private conversation another time?"
Jason looked Nikolas up and down and then nodded, "You're right. Nothing good can come of us discussing this," he agreed. He turned to Carly. "I will come and see you tomorrow"
Carly nodded and mumbled a drunken goodbye. Once Jason was gone she turned to Nikolas. "I could've handled that," she slurred.
"I am sure," Nikolas said, "But there was no need-I handled it fine."
Carly seemed satisfied with that answer. She picked her drink back up and started staring off- she seemed to do that a lot lately. She was watching the couples on the dance floor and her eyes seemed cloudy. He wondered if she were going to cry?
"Would you like to dance?" Nikolas asked. Carly regarded him silently and then she nodded. Nikolas took he hand and led her onto the dance floor. A slow song started and Nikolas took her into his arms. Out of the corner of his eyes Nikolas could see everyone was watching them. He didn't understand why. What was so wrong with being friends with Carly? What was so wrong with two friends helping during a hard time? He put the wedding guests out of his mind and focused on Carly.
"What were you and Jason talking about?" Nikolas asked.
"Jason was right- it was private" Carly replied. She turned her gaze away from Nikolas.
"Oh, come on Carly?" Nikolas prompted. "Just tell me- you know you will eventually"
Carly smiled. "Ok" she conceded. "Jason thinks that you and I coming here looks bad. He says people will think you and I are hanging out just to hurt Sonny and Emily"
"Why does that matter?" Nikolas asked. "Not that we would do that but why does it matter what they think. Why does Jason care what people think?"
Carly sighed, "He doesn't. He thinks I am trying to hurt Sonny and Emily" Carly replied with a sigh. " He is worried I am going to try and win Sonny back"
"Are you?" Nikolas asked.
Carly was quiet- she seemed to be mulling it over. "When you and I first became friends it was because of John. Now-" She trailed off. "Nik, you are my very best friend. Not even Jason has been as good to me as you have. I wouldn't use you to hurt Emily or Sonny" Carly sighed, "As for getting Sonny winning Sonny back- been there, done that. I am over it"
"Good" Nikolas said. "I am glad. I would hate to see you back in rose lawn. John needs you."
"I wont let another man drive me crazy" Carly assured him.
Nikolas pulled Carly a little closer to him and the two danced silently.
