Just my freaking luck she thought to herself. The one guy that she had true chemistry with, who actually gave a damn about who she was as a person and not a star had divorced and moved on with someone else. She didn't know why this hurt her more than she expected it to, but it pained her to see Kevin with someone new. Somewhere deep down, she had hoped that he hadn't found someone after his break up and was looking for her.
She swallowed her saliva, along with her pride and extended her hand out to Christine. "Nice to meet you." She told her. "Wow, I can't believe I am meeting THE Whitney Houston," Christine finally responded. "I'm a fan of your music. I always was so fascinated with how The Bodyguard was made. In fact, Kevin talks about making that movie with you all the time." "Oh really now, does he?" Whitney turned to Kevin and smirked. Kevin nervously chuckled. "Yeah, I do." He admitted. "It was some of my best work by far." He winked at her, knowing that the two of them shared a huge secret. Whitney continued smirking. "Yeah I enjoyed every minute of making that with you." Christine gave them a weird look, catching on to their blatant flirting. "Well um, that's nice…. Kevin, are you finished with that sandwich? We still have some errands to run." Kevin looked over at Whitney and rolled his eyes at her. Whitney tried her best to hold in her laughter, secretly happy that Kevin wasn't particularly favoring his little blonde plaything. "Yeah. I am." He forked out a $100 bill and placed it on the table. "I'll meet you by the car in a sec." Christine rolled her eyes this time and let out an annoyed sigh. "You mean to tell me that you are gonna make ME wait on YOU in this sun?" Kevin forked out his keys and handed it to her. "Now you can wait for me in the car. Is that a problem?" Whitney tried her best not to look amused, but it was hard not to do so. "Ugh, whatever. Just hurry up!" Christine pushed her seat back and walked away towards the car, flipping her hair in the process.
Whitney busted out laughing, her throaty chuckle becoming infectious as Kevin followed suit. From afar, photographers had a field day taking pictures of two reunited stars having a conversation "Geez, Costner, where did you pick that one at?" she couldn't help but inquire. "Doesn't seem like she would be your type!" Kevin crossed his arms. "She's not." He told her. "We met at a fashion event a couple of months ago where she was a model in a show, and I made the grave mistake of asking her out on a few dates. She keeps talking about how she wants to settle down, be a housewife and have a bunch of kids. And the whole time I'm thinking 'I hope she doesn't think that's gonna happen with me, because a future together looks bleak'." Whitney raised her eyebrows "So does that mean Miss Thing is a keeper, or no?" she asked. Kevin shook his head. "I don't think so. I've already dealt with her types before and I'm sick of it. This time, I want someone who is genuine, someone real. A woman that I don't have to be Kevin Costner 'The Star' or whatever around all of the time. If you know what I mean." Whitney nodded, fully understanding what he meant. "Yeah, I got you completely." She told him. "So how are you? Really." Kevin asked her. "I'm sorry about the divorce and everything." Secretly, he was happy that she had broken free from a borderline abusive marriage. He had heard about everything that had gone on with Bobby and it pained him to know that she was going through hell and back. Whitney gave him a sad smile. "I could be better. But it had to be done. I have a little girl that looks up to my actions and I have to do what's best for us." "I'm glad you did that. Take it from me, divorce isn't easy. But it gets better with each day, especially if you know that it was the best decision to make." Kevin told her. "I sure hope you are right. You always have the right thing to say." Whitney responded. Kevin smiled. "You know that my number hasn't changed right?" he teased. "Oh really?" said Whitney. "Because you know my number hasn't either!" They both laughed again, and the feelings of comfort filled them. "Promise you'll call me?" she asked him. "You just say when and you know that I will." Kevin eagerly told her. "Tonight. We have a lot catching up to do." Whitney said matter-of-factly.
Just then, Dionne came over with her hands on her hips. "Nippy, you left me so long, I had to come and look for you!" she exclaimed. Whitney turned and faced her. "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry D. I Didn't mean to leave you hanging like that. I just got caught up seeing Kevin." Kevin grinned and took Dionne's hand, kissing it. "It is an absolute pleasure to meet you Miss Warwick." He told her. "My family and I love your music by the way." Dionne chuckled. "Well okay, you get a pass for having me wait because you have such charm. And you're cute. Pleasure to meet you as well and please call me Dionne" The three of them shared a laugh and they proceeded to chat some more until Kevin reluctantly had to cut it off. "I have to drive Barbie back to her dream house," he joked, referring to Christine. "But Dionne, you are a joy and I hope to see you again soon. Whitney, I'll give you a ring tomorrow." Whitney found herself batting her eyes and beaming from within. "Sounds good." After giving both ladies a kiss on the cheek, Kevin left and the ladies finally settled into their table to eat.
After they ordered Philly cheesesteak sandwiches and fries, Dionne leaned over and folded her hands. "Nippy." She started, calling her by her family nickname. "I'm not one to pry into your business, but I'm just wondering something." Whitney took a sip of her Diet Coke. "What is it?" "How close did you and Kevin get when you two made The Bodyguard?" Whitney lowered her eyes. "Well. We got pretty close…. Why?" Dionne slightly chuckled. "Listen, you know I call things like I see it. And I've known you ever since you came singing out of Cissy's womb. With that being said, did you and Kevin have an affair?" Whitney coughed on her drink, surprised at how spot on her cousin was. "I can see it in your eyes Nippy, you don't even have to say a word." Dionne went on. "You looked at that man with a look of adoration. It was like you were very comfortable around him; like you trusted him. It was a look that was deeper than just friendship. It is clear in my eyes that you two have been intimate." "Is it that obvious?" Whitney whispered. "To others, I don't think so. To your all-knowing, observant cousin, yes it is." Whitney sighed, knowing that her secret was now between her, Kevin and Dionne. "Don't judge me D. Just hear me out okay?" "You're talking to me Nippy. When have I ever been judgmental? I've probably been there and done that myself. Any and everything you say stays between the two of us." She told her. Nippy nodded and lowered her voice as she recalled the entire ordeal between her and Kevin, even the details of him going down on her during her wedding.
When she finished, she sat back and waited for Dionne to still give it to her. To tell her how wrong it was of her to be with him while he was married and she was engaged/married. Instead Dionne smiled and took her hand. "So how do you feel about him now since it's been a long while?" she simply asked. Whitney shook her head. "I don't know D. I tried denying my feelings towards him because I was marrying Bobby. But, honestly, I haven't met such a sweet, caring, mellow, down-to –earth guy like Kevin." Dionne nodded in agreement. "I'm not condoning what you did was right, but I can understand why it happened. And while I don't know Kevin well, he seems to have that genuine personality that you have as well. I can understand the attraction." She swirled some fries in ketchup and popped them in her mouth. "And besides, the way Bobby treated you all this time, I'm not surprised that you have eyes for a White guy. A handsome one at that!" Whitney could not help but burst out laughing. "D, you're so crazy! You know, I hardly think about his race. But you're right I guess Bobby has driven me away from brothas…for a while at least!" "I don't know though. I'm still going through a divorce, so I don't know what I want right now." Dionne looked at her. "Bobby didn't take time to move on. He's already dating some woman named Alicia or something. Don't sit on your hands Nippy. Don't rush into something, but don't sit back and let life pass you by." Whitney nodded, fully taking in what she said. Whatever happens, happens. She thought to herself.