Where Life Will Take You Without God (Chapter 2)

Keshia wanted to know was she mad or jealous that she saw him with another woman. Nicole did and said all she could to convince Keshia that she was not mad or jealous. She just needed to make sure that Jonathan knew that he could not show interest in her one day, and the next day he is with someone else. That kind of thing just does not go unknown.

Nicole went over to take him his check, "Can we talk?" Jonathan asked. She began to say, "Look let's get something out on the table. I left Washington to try to give my children a better life, because my marriage..." Wow Jonathan looked and said "MARRIAGE," "YES! My marriage did not work. My husband was..." And stop before she could tell him anything else. Jonathan looked surprised as she stopped in the middle of her sentence, and said, "Your husband was what? OH! That is not important, but what is important is that I did not come looking for a boyfriend or another husband." Jonathan looked at her with a dumb look on his face and said, "I was not proposing, I was only trying to suggest that since we both are new here we could help each other out." She looked and said "Right now I do not need a friend, especially a man friend. Now please leave me alone and go back to your sister, I am sure she is used to you." Jonathan wants to know if she is going to hold every man accountable for what one man has done.

Therefore, Jonathan ask and says "Before you hold it against me let me say this. When I first saw you I said to myself I had never seen any one so beautiful, your skin is so smooth. I watched you as you walked from one table to another, legs so long and silky. I wonder what you were thinking when you would throw your hair back off your shoulder," then he said, "You are so beautiful", as he reached over to the other side of the table to first stoke her long black hair and then her cheeks and said "Is this what, love feels like at first sight", having a look on his face that she had never seen? However, course this is all another lie she thought to herself. Oh, but Nicole was really moved with what he had said and how he touched her face as she began to accept the stokes. She shook her head got up and began to walk away, but once again, he stopped her and said, "Just think about what I just said because I will never hurt you." After he paid his check he asked her could he take her on a tour of New York, she smiled and walked away. Nicole was into what he said and how he said it. It was clear that she should walk away. Jonathan sat there with a grin on his face knowing that he has gotten the best of her that day, and could not wait to see what she would do once he got her alone.

Later that even while at home helping her girls with their homework the phone rang, much to her surprise it was Jonathan. The conversation started out with "How did you get my number?" Jonathan begins to tell her about the good time her friend was having at the fundraising event and how easy it was to get her number from her. Nevertheless, do not be mad at her. "WHY ARE YOU CALLING ME?" Nicole asked with anger in her voice. Well the conversation we had earlier had me thinking about you. The little you did not say let me believe that you need someone to listen to you. I can hear the hurt in your voice. Jonathan was smiling on the other end of the phone as he tried to sound like he really had so compassion for her feelings. However, he could not care one way or the other about how she was feeling. He only had one thing on his mind, and that was to break through the brick wall Nicole has built around her. "Therefore whatever you have been through, I just want the chance to show you that not all men are alike." He was not wrong there. Some men are worse than others, Nicole thought to herself. I am here if you want to talk. No matter what time of the day or night I am a good listener. He was a good listener because he knew that once he got her to open up and tell him so things about herself he would be able to use that to his advantage.

Nicole has been living with this dark secret for many years now, and this was the first time she almost said anything. The word has hunted her for a long time (know on will believe you). She knew she needed to talk to someone, but those words just kept hunting her. She knew nothing of Jonathan and if he thought, she was just going to tell him all about her past he was sadly mistaking. "Jonathan", she said "I do not know you so what makes you think I would tell you anything else about my past." Jonathan said "The way you let it out today and stop right in the middle tell me you want to talk. The look on your face, tells me that you are still hurting from what has happen in the past, and that you have been keeping it all inside of you. If I am wrong about this then I will leave you alone, but if I am not wrong then let me take, you out for coffee and you can tell me about it."

"No thank you, not tonight maybe some other time. You have a good night", and she hung up the phone. She was finding it hard to keep saying no, but she knew that she had to find the will. Therefore, she thought if she could just stay away from him it would be all right. That would be easier said then done. The rest of the night, she was thinking about how right he was and that she really needed to talk to someone. However, the burden of this secret was deep down in her, she would not know where to begin. Therefore, she did not know whom she could talk to or trust. Nicole tossed and turns all night about what she had been through. Just when she thought, it was behind her she started having mad dreams about that terrible night when it first started. While at home, Jonathan laid back in his bed knowing that he was getting to her by playing into her past. So he had to put his next plan into action, he just needed to get her to open up.

Over the weekend, while watching a football game at Martin's house, Jonathan's friends wanted to know how things were going with him and Nicole. Jonathan explained that she is a hard one. Nevertheless, he had found out enough about her past. He went on to say that, he believes that something terrible has happen to her. I now need to find a way to get her to trust me where she will open up. She has been living what something in her past that has something to do with her husband. "HUSBAND!" Did you know that she was married, before you started this? "No!" and even if I had, I do not think it would have stopped me. "I believe we can help you win her trust", Corey said. "Jonathan, she is a church girl, so why don't you try showing up at her church a few Sundays", Kevin suggested. "What! Me at church and you can't think of anything else but for me to go to church." Man just show up a couple of times, let her see you and you act as if you don't see her. Then leave before she can say anything to you. "Oh I see, play the chase game."**8

For the next few Sundays Jonathan showed up at The New Fellowship Church where Nicole attends faithfully every Sunday. Each time when the preached words go out, he finds himself not able to sit still. He would start moving all around patting his feet while everybody is singing and giving praise to God. The Pastor was preaching about (the time is now). Jonathan cannot sit still; he finally gets up and goes outside. While Jonathan is standing outside wondering if all of this was going to pay, off. Therefore, he waits for the people to settle down before he goes back. He walks up to the door to listen finally they are quiet. The Pastor was giving the altar call. And many people went up, including Nicole. Jonathan quietly went back in and no one had noticed that he had been gone. When the Pastor was, finishing praying for everybody, they went back to their seats and that is when Nicole saw him.

He saw Nicole looking his way and he put his head down as if he was reading the program. After church dismissed Nicole was trying to speak, but Jonathan quickly jumped in his car and was gone. And now the chase was on. She wonders why he did not speak, why I had never seen him here before today. That was one of Nicole down fall, spending too much of her time wonder about this man until she was slowly falling into his lies. Weeks later Jonathan came into the restaurant, Nicole tried to be strong as she tells him, I saw you at church. "Oh! Why didn't you speak?" "I tried, but seem to be in a hurry." I did not know you went to church. Jonathan was amazed at how she really took the time to talk to him. Nicole has never taken the time to ask him anything, and now that she thinks, he attended the same church she is full of question. Therefore, his response was "There is a lot you do not know about me." (He than knew that was how he was going to get her to trust him). "You never would talk to me until now. Why? Is it because you have seen me at church? If you give me half a chance you will have seen the real me."

Nicole could not say anything but will you be ordering your usual today. She knew that he was right, and she decided to try to act more as a Christian and maybe she can win a soul for Jesus. Jonathan started to act like he was angry, as he said "No! I think I would like to try something different." When she asked "What would you be ordering?" Jonathan then said, "Why don't you suggest something, and join me. Maybe let me take you out to a nice restaurant", he asked in a giving up voice. Well if you are asking me to have lunch with you, again I suggest that there is a seafood Restaurant over on 7th avenue that I have heard about. "What is the name of this place," Jonathan asked. "Rosie O'Grady's I am told that they have a fine seafood menu." They made plans for the following Friday, and they both seemed to be looking forward to that day. Jonathan suggests that may be before lunch that they could take a little tour of New York.

He thought it would break the ice if they perhaps went to the museum. Nicole was already scared about going out to lunch with him and said, "I don't know, let me think about that." There Jonathan said "Now I am ready to order, and I will have the usual." Just as he said, that Martin walked up to the table. He sat down and Nicole went to go put Jonathan's order in. Jonathan started telling him about the plans he had made with Nicole, and asked if him and Keshia would join them. Jonathan felt if Keshia was, there Nicole may not be to nerve, and would let the wall down. Martin said "Okay, anything you want." Martin needs to tell Jonathan something, but he just kept on talking about Nicole. Finally, Martin said, "If you do not stop talking and listen to me, you will not be taken nobody anywhere." Jonathan, I just ran into Brittany. Brittany is one of many women that Jonathan had told a pack of lies too, but just could not get rid of. She had received word that Jonathan spends a lot of his time where Nicole works. She also known about Nicole and was on her way to confront him about her. She had been looking for him all day, and nothing was going to stop her.

Until she saw Martin who did stop her and told her that, he was not at the restaurant. Therefore, he could find him and let him know that she is looking for him. When Jonathan got word of Brittany looking, he jumped up and told Nicole to cancel that order an emergency has come up. "However, I will see you on Friday" and he ran out the door with Martin right behind him. She turns to Keshia and said "I hope nothing is wrong. Never mind that." Keshia said, "I thought you were not interested in him and here you are making plans to see him." I was not interested. Nicole realizes that she has not carrying herself much like a Christian she should. She realizes that she has been too hard on him, and that is not how a Christian should act. Beside that, she knew very well that she could not talk to him about Jesus and the sacrifices he made for us acting the way she has been. Therefore, she decided to give him a chance and besides, she knew that it was time that she started trusting again.

Keshia looked at her with a smile and asked whether she was sure that is what she wanted. Keshia became real curious about her past, and what made her not trust people. Therefore she questioned Nicole about it, and found out that it was not people she did not trust, but only men. "What happened in your past that made you not trust men?" Nicole wanted to tell her so mad that she could hear the words coming out of her mouth, but wonder if Keshia was a person that she could trust. Therefore telling her maybe one day I will tell you but right now, the restaurant is getting busy. Keshia thought that if she could get Nicole to open up to her she could tell Martin and that would bring him and her closer. Nicole was not the only one being deceived. Martin had somehow made her believe that everything would be alright between them if she was able to tell him something about Nicole past.

About seven O'clock p.m. by time for Nicole to get off, Jonathan walked in. "What are you doing back here?" she asked. "I came to see if you needed a ride home." Nicole knew she needed to trust again, but there was no way she was going to get in that car with him at night by herself. She could smell the beer or something on his breath, and all that did was bringing back the thought of that horrible night with Eddie. Feeling scared she quickly said, "No." I can take a cab home." Keshia said to her, "Go on and let the man take you home", in hope that it would show her that it was alright. "I will take a cab thank you; it really is not a problem. I would be more than happen to take you home. I will be all right in a cab, and I have already called for one and here it is pulling up. Good night", Nicole said as she moved quickly to the door before they could try to talk her out of it. Jonathan hung around for a few to find out if Martin had talked to Keshia about Friday. She thank Jonathan for the invite and was happy that Martin did ask. Martin and Keshia had been dating for some time now, but only behind close doors. And now that she would be seen in the public with him, it only means one thing to her. Martin has taking her and their relationship serious. Therefore, Keshia would try harder to find out what happened to Nicole before she came to Washington D.C...

On that Friday morning, Nicole became very nervous and scared about going to lunch with Jonathan, and was trying to think of ways to keep from going. None of the excuses seem real enough, in fact they sounded just like they were (a lie) #. She did not know what to expect of him or what he expected of her. Therefore, she called Keshia in hope that she could help her get out of it. Nicole started to tell Keshia about the lunch plan she has with Jonathan and how nervous she was, when Keshia jumped in and said, "I know all about it, and you do not have to worry about." Keshia then inform her that she and Martin would be there to help break the ice. Keshia then said, "It will be alright wait and see." Therefore, Nicole began to believe that it would be okay as long as there were others there. She thought it would be fun having the two of you there. "I will see you at the restaurant."

Nicole looked through her closet to find something to wear. She had tried on just about everything in that closet and nothing was right. Just when she thought it was too late to go out to buy something, there she saw a dress in the back and thought that was the right dress. When she was finally done dressing she was pleased with the way she looked until she and Jonathan arrived at the restaurant. She looked around and saw how other's were dressed and then looked down at herself. Nicole started to feel very uncomfortable as she looked at Jonathan and saw that he fitted right in with the way he was dressed. She then stopped and turned to him and said "Could we go some other place else?" Jonathan said "It's alright, you are just fine", as he noticed that she was feeling a little out-of-place. Jonathan then said, "You need to be comfortable with whom you are, and besides if we leave how Keshia and Martin will know where to go.

It wasn't long after that they sit at a table nearby a window. As they sat waiting for Martin and Keshia, she looked down at her menu and then up at him then out the window trying to think up something to say. After a while Nicole finally said, "It doesn't look like they are coming." Jonathan agreed and asked, "Are you ready to order? I guess we should, because it is getting late", was Nicole answer. Jonathan looked at the menu as if he knows what he was looking at; he looked back up at her and said what you are having. Nicole was unsure and turns the question back around to him. Right as she asked him "What would he be having", she remember that the last time they had lunch his menu was upside down. She looked to see, but he had his menu lying on the table. Nicole sat there waiting to hear what he was going to order when the server came over. Jonathan still had not said anything and Nicole became restless waiting for him to order.

Therefore, she looked back down at the menu and said, "I would like the Baked Alaska." Oh! Boy Jonathan thought to himself, she sounds like she has done this before and that got him off the hook, and therefore he ordered the same. While sitting waiting on their order, there was a long period of silence. For the first time Jonathan found himself lost for words. Nicole knew that they could not sit and did not talk, but she has never been big on bring up conversation. So she started the conversation off, by asking, "What was his reason for leaving Phoenix." He feed her another one of his lies, and that a lot of things had happened. But he never said what they were, but the one thing he did said that stood out was that he couldn't find the right woman. "Had you been with a lot of women?" Nicole asked? "Oh No" Jonathan said as he put his head down to keep from making eye contract.

There they were enjoying their meal when Brittany walks into the restaurant; she saw Jonathan and went over to the table. "Well hello! Jonathan is this why I don't see much of you any more." "What are you talking about; you know we have been over for a long time now." Nicole looked at Jonathan and said "Excuse me; it is time for me to be leaving." "Wait, Jonathan said if anybody is going to be leaving it will be her." It seems like you and her have a lot to talk about, I will just take a cab home. Nicole did not know what was going on and was not trying to hang around to find out. As she got up to leave, Brittany and her sidekick started to laugh and talk about how she was dressed. Nicole could hear thing like, what is that she is wearing, do people still wear their hair like that. She could hear laughter as well, but she never heard Jonathan defend her.

Nicole was hurt by what she heard and even upset because Jonathan had not tried to say one word in her defense. Not knowing how to respond to what the things that were saying about her, she ran out with tears in her eyes. Brittany and her sidekick sat there laughing as Brittany looked at Jonathan and said, "You couldn't do better than that to replace me." However, she was not done with Nicole. While Nicole was waiting on a cab, Brittany came out. Nicole was so afraid of what could happen, she started walking away from the restaurant when she saw Brittany come out, she quickly wiped her tears away. "Hay you" Brittany called out to her. "Why do you think he would want someone like you?" Nicole said nothing. "If you will not answer than I will tell you." She was so determined to have Jonathan that she would do and say anything. Therefore, she began by telling her to take a long look at you then to look at her. Why would he want a church girl who is good for nothing, when he has all of this? (Brittany tried to tell her in so many words that she did not know what she was getting herself into). So go on back to church and leave Jonathan to me. That really crushed Nicole as she jumped in the cab and cried all the way home. Nicole was glad that night was over, and thought that was the first and the last time she would see Brittany and her sidekick, but little did she know it had just begun.

The following day Nicole tried not to tell what had happen. However, Keshia could not wait to find out, before Nicole could get in the door of the restaurant good, there was Keshia asked "What happened. How did thing go with Jonathan?" "Everything went fine", Nicole responded. "However, where were you and Martin?" Well we decided that you and Jonathan would be able to get to know one another better if there was not anyone else around to talk too. Well everything was okay, the conversation, and the food was all right. "Will there be a next time?" Keshia asked. Nicole looked at her and rolled her eyes as she walked away. Nicole felt that Jonathan would come in the restaurant, but she was not ready to put up with him after last night.

Therefore, she tried to leave work early. Mr. Harry asked, "Are you sick?" Not wanting to lie she said "No." With an excuse or a reason why, Mr. Harry just could not let her go at that time. The restaurant was getting busy, and it was the weekend so he really needed her there. Before that, he was already short of help because two other girls had called in sick. Nicole went on to do her job, hoping and praying that Jonathan would not come in. While she was taking orders, she heard laughing. When she turns to see who it was, she saw that her nightmare had come true. There they were, Brittany Devore and her sidekicks sitting, and laughing. She could not hear what they were saying but she knew whatever it was it could not be anything nice She just knew they were talking about her. Nicole ran to the back and Keshia went right behind her. "What is wrong?" She asked, "Do you know them girls," "Why did you run back here? "Wait!" Nicole said. "Can you ask one question at a time?" "When I told you everything went fine last night, well that was not true."

"Those girls were at the restaurant when we were there. Now look out there, they is what is wrong and that it why I ran back here. Nicole you must tell me what happened." Nicole began to tell Keshia that as her and Jonathan were at the restaurant enjoying the food how these girls walked over to the table, and one let it be known that she was his woman. "What did Jonathan have to say about that?" I do not know I just got up and left. As Nicole continues she told how when she was leaving she could hear, them talking about her and the way she was dressed as they started laughing, just as they are doing now. As Keshia looked out into the front, Jonathan was coming in. Keshia then turn and looked at Nicole and said, "Well your troubles are not over yet." "If anything could be worse, the girls showing up at the restaurant just walked in."

Well Jonathan has just come in and Nicole knew that things were just about to get worse. "WHAT! OH NO!" But wait, maybe he has come to explain to me what all that was about, and she ran to the front. Nicole slowly walked over to his table, not wanting to seem eager she took her ordering pad with her. Before she could make it to the table Brittany grabbed her by the arm, once again, she reminded her that Jonathan did not want her, and pushed her to the side as she went and sat down with him. Nicole still needed to find out what was going on, but did not know how. She walked up to the table not knowing what to say she then asked if she could take their order. Just as she said that, something rose up in her and she then said "Or will you be having the same as always." Jonathan did not know what to say, he did not expect that from her.

She than knew she had started something when Brittany wanted to know what did she mean by that. Nicole then so how to let Brittany know that he comes in everyday, orders the same thing, then turn, and walked away with a smile on her face. "Why are you smiling" Keshia asked? "I just found out what revenge felt like." "Nicole what have you done?" "I having done nothing that she didn't have coming." Nicole stood looking over at them as if she was in a Trans and then turns to Keshia and said, "I would really like to know what is going on with them right now." Nicole really thought that she had got best of Brittany, but in reality she had, no clue of what Brittany Devore and Jonathan Rich was capable of. With Jonathan working to get her to lose her faith, Nicole was helping him by fighting with Brittany a girl whom she started to feel like was her enemy. Keshia was adding to the fire when told Nicole that her and Martin were having dinner tomorrow, and then suggested that the four of them could get together and implying that she could find out then.

"Are you and Martin really going to show up this time or is this another way to get me out with him alone?" Keshia ensured her that they would be there. At that time, it sound like a good idea, but Nicole did not know how she was going to let Jonathan know. Nevertheless, Keshia had a plan in the makings. Just as soon as Brittany went to the restroom, there Keshia was on the move, she slipped him a note saying (meet Nicole at Meil Melo Restaurant tomorrow at 6pm). That left the door still open for him, he paid for lunch looked at Nicole and smiled then went out the door. Keshia had become Nicole best friend that is what Nicole was hoping for. She had started to look to Keshia in hope that she would help her make the right decision when it came to Jonathan. That is where she made another mistake. She started looking for man to help her to decide and slowly stopped asking God.

Keshia always was there, putting Nicole up to say yes to him. She had no idea of what she was getting Nicole into, nor did she know then what Jonathan was up to. Nicole would find herself asking Keshia did she think she was doing the right thing. Keshia could always convince by saying things like, "Jonathan could have any woman that he wants, but he wants you. On the other hand, maybe something like, that man is so good-looking I would not be thinking about if I were doing the thing." That is all it took for someone like Nicole. Nicole was so excited when she got off work that she decided to go shopping for something that would please Jonathan. She decided that she could no longer wear the clothes of a church girl if she did not want people laughing at her again.

Therefore while she walking the streets of Manhattan she stubble across a little shop. When she went in the sale person asked, "May I help you." Once again, she was in need of help, she told the sales person that she was looking for something to wear on a dinner date. It should be informal, but not too am not too informal. Something that will really get a man's attention. Nicole was still unsure of herself, but knew that she did not want to go looking like a fool. The sales person then asked where she would be having dinner. Nicole replied, "Meil Melo." The sales woman then showed her a black lace dress that hit just above the knees and show more leg then Nicole has ever shown. Nicole was uncomfortable about the dress, and asked the sales woman did her anything else. Nevertheless, by the time Nicole finish looking around the sales woman had persuaded her to buy the black dress.

The woman told her that who ever she was trying to impress, this dress would do the job. Nicole purchased the dress and left. Nicole arrived home late that evening, and saw that Jonathan had been there with twelve long stem pink roses and a note apologizing about everything that has happened over the last couple of days and how he came by to tell her. Nicole was very emotional by the way he said sorry, and that clouded her judgment. Jonathan knew the kind of woman Nicole was, and buying the roses was another way to put his plan into action. Later that night he anticipated that she would be calling him, therefore he stayed around the house the rest of the evening. Around midnight Jonathan became very disappointed when he woke up and she had not called. He thought to himself that perhaps the roses showed a sign of being desperate, and he did not want to appear that way. He then laid back in the bed looking at the ceiling trying to thank of some other way he could get to her without looking desperate. Nicole had become an obsession to Jonathan, and he had not realized it. This man would sit around thinking of ways to get her to fall in love with him, and not knowing that he was falling for her.

On the following, Nicole had plans to have dinner with Jonathan; she still did not let that stop her from spending time with her children. They played games, and talking about when the day would come that they would move into their own house. The children were so excited as they kept asking when. Nicole re-insured them that the day was coming soon. She had worked hard for the past ten months to make sure that it would happen, and nothing was going to stop her. She let the children know that she would be going out to dinner later and that she had call for the babysitter to be here about five o' clock. She went to her room to start getting ready. Nicole looked at the dress that she had just brought and put it in the back of the closet. She then pulled out a dress that she had saved for this occasion. She wanted everything to be just right so she tried to put on a little makeup something she never needed, but was willing to try.

She put her hair up in some kind of ball. And after hours of trying to impress a man, she was finally ready. Keshia was not picking Nicole up; she had to call a cab. As she sat waiting on the cab, Jonathan was there at the restaurant with Keshia and Martin waiting on her but she was late. While he sat waiting and getting impatient, another woman from her past, walk by the table. I do not really think that she saw Jonathan, but he saw her and made up a reason to leave the table. Just as he was getting up Nicole walked into the restaurant. She apologizes for being late, but Jonathan had his mind on getting to the woman of his past. Jonathan told her to have seat and excused himself. Nicole then explained to Keshia why she was late, and said that it did not seem that Jonathan cared about the reason she was late. While explaining to Keshia Jonathan made his way over to the other table. He spoke real quick and made plans to meet her later on that night. He went back to the table where Nicole was and sat down as if everything was all right. He begins to tell her how sorry he was about what has been going on, and that she should not worry about Brittany.

First, of all Nicole wanted to know who was Brittany and what is she to him. Jonathan knew that she was going to ask about her and he was ready with no hesitation he said, I am going to be honest with you. Brittany and I once dated long before you came to town, and she has never gave up on the ideal of us getting back together. And before you ask, have I given her a reason to think so, NO! I have not given her any reason to think that we would get back together. Keshia said "You see Nicole I told you, you were making a big deal out of nothing." Nicole asked "Why you did not just tell me that in the first place, instead of having me think the worst. Nicole believed the pack of lies that Jonathan had just fed her. However with all that said and done Keshia said "Well, now that it is all over with can we order now. Nicole was all right with a man ordering for her if she was not there, and asked Jonathan would he order for her while she goes to the restroom. Jonathan did not know what to think, he thought maybe she has picked up on that he could read and was testing him. Therefore, he asked "Why don't you tell me what you would like and I can order it for you." "What every you order for yourself will be fine," and left and went to the restroom and Keshia went with her.

On the way to the restroom they passed by the table where the woman from his past was. As she walked by, she once again heard whispers about her. Keshia tried to tell her not to let it get to her, that she was dressed just fine. But in reality as long as Nicole wasn't dressed better than her, Keshia would always tell her that she looked fine, but she knew that Nicole needed some help when it came to fashion. Nicole is a beautiful woman and Keshia just could not compete with that. "Just being dressed fine is not enough, I am tired of all the whispers and the laughing every time I am out with Jonathan," said Nicole. All the laughing and the whispers were really irritating her. But there was Keshia trying to get her to calm down. "Do not get upset it will be alright." "But for right now we have two of the best looking men in the restaurant waiting for us." "Yes, we do" Nicole said, "But why do you think he found it so hard to order for me when I have asked him to? Did you find something wrong with that? I tell you that there is something going on with him and I just can't put my finger on it."

There Nicole was making a big deal out of nothing and Keshia had all she could take from her at that moment, and said, "All the man wanted to know is what you would like to eat." "Why can't you just have a good time and stop looking for worse in him. Nicole had become suspicious about Jonathan reading ability, and just was not going to rest until she has seen for herself whether he could or not. The girls went back out and the men had order for them. Keshia started out with a seafood salad followed up with a steak and bake potato, however Nicole's dinner started which was a cheeseburger and fries. Then Jonathan asked if she wanted a salad all so. Nicole didn't know what to say, she just ate the food and acted like it was alright but she was in an outrage. In her mind, she was thinking that this would be a good time to ask him could he read, but if she was right she did not want to make him furious.

Nicole was glad when dinner was finally over. She could wait to get home and get some real fool. But the night was not over, Martin then asked if anybody wanted to go dancing. Nicole quickly said "No, I'll get a cab and go home so do not let me stop your fun." "Come on Nicole," Keshia said, "Let's not stop the fun here. A little dancing is not going to hurt you. Nicole thought that Keshia could say that after all she did have some food. On the other hand, Nicole had sat there acting like she had a good time. Nicole had to remind them that she don't dance, and that she had to get up for church in the morning. "Well tomorrow is not Sunday", Jonathan said, I know but we are opening the doors to have prayer. We can still go and dance off some of this food. The food that is a good reason for going dancing she said in a sarcastic way. "And what are you trying to say? "I asked you to order for me, I thought I was coming back to a nice dinner and instead I get a cheeseburger."

"Something you always order when you come into the Resolution." The discussion became very vehement when she said, "What is it with you can you read?" The look in his eyes were very frightened to her as she quickly changed the tone of her voice. "I just meant that out of everything on the menu, why would you order me a cheeseburger?" Jonathan was furious, but did not want to send up a red flag about his reading ability so he read something from the menu that he saw Martin read. "Now is that all right with you?" However, he quickly asked, "Are we going dancing or what?" "I'm sorry that I said, but under the circumstance I felt that it needed to be asked." Nicole still did not believe he could read, she thought to herself that anybody could remember something if they were hiding the fact that they could not read. After they cleared up, Keshia then asked "Was Nicole going dancing or not?" By that time, Jonathan really did not care, after she had embarrassed him he hopes she would say no.

Nicole gave in, and informs them that she would only stay for an hour. Meanwhile Jonathan knew that she had to pay for what she just put him through. "Well let's go before she changes her mind," Jonathan said. The men paid the check, and off they were to a place only the three of them knew about. Nicole was really on the edge about going out dancing, something that she knew nothing about. Looking for ways to get out, she suggested that it is a good night for a walk in the park (that was her way out, but she did not recognize it). Keshia said, "Come and let your hair down and have so fun for a change." Not understanding what Keshia meant by that, Nicole took her literally and took her hair down. "That was just a figure of speech, I didn't mean the literally" Keshia said. They went on into the club, Keshia and Martin went to dance while Nicole and Jonathan went and got a table.

At that, time Jonathan wheels were really turning in his mind, and then told Nicole that he would be right back. He went out the door and around the corner to a nearby liquor store. He thought very careful of how he was going to get back at miss perfect for trying to show him up. Once he went back into the club, he had to let Martin know what his game plan was in order for him to make it work. He also thought that he could get some pleasure out of it for himself. Jonathan went to bar to order drinks for everybody, and all Nicole wanted was a glass of water. Jonathan figured that this would be the time to put the plan into action. Meanwhile Jonathan saw Brittany and her girls come into the club. He waved for them and had them to sit in a nearby dark corner watching to see what was going to happen.