Bravo 🤍

Twenty-One

Nikki sighs as her office door opens. "Yeah?" She looks up from her computer as someone clears their throat. She looks up, freezing for a moment before leaping to her feet. "Monsieur et Madame Bravo." She smiles, coming around her desk to shake their hands.

"Please, Dan and Eva is fine." Daniel kisses her cheeks before moving out of the way for Eva to do the same.

"Nikki, dear, how are you?" Eva cradles Nikki's face in her hands as she frowns.

"I'm fine. It's nice to see you both. I saw your names on my calendar for next week. It's your anniversary?"

"That's right. We rented out the gardens before we met you. We were told that Claire will be out of town and you will be taking over. We are just here to check in and make sure everything is set to go?"

"Sure. Have a seat." Nikki motions to the chairs as she sits behind her desk, opening her computer. She avoids their gazes as she finds their information, pulling it up on her screen. "Everything has been forwarded to my accounts. It looks like everything is on track. All you'll have to do next week is show up for the party."

"That's great." Daniel stands as Eva stands beside him. "Have you talked to Lucas?"

Nikki sighs, closing her computer. "The other night, sort of. It didn't go well."

"Marie told us." Eva gives her a small smile, gesturing her to stand up. Nikki hesitates but stands up and walks around the desk as Eva grabs her hand. "I may have been tough at first, but to be honest, I was beginning to grow fond of you before everything happened. And I'm sorry. I do wish you'd give him another chance though. He's a good boy who's made some bad choices."

"Thank you, Eva. We do have some things to still work out."

"Good. I hope that you do." Eva sighs, kissing her cheeks again before turning away. She hovers as Daniel opens the office door and she turns back to Nikki. "We expect you to be at the party."

"I will be there, working."

"Right." Eva smirks, chuckling as she follows Daniel out of the office.

***

Nikki enters the kitchen as she hears someone whistle at her from the side.

"Woah! You are hot!"

She groans, turning to see Sam smirking at her in a white chef's coat. "You're Sam Monroe? My chef for the night?"

"Looks like it." He grabs her waist, pulling her to him as she grunts, pushing back on his chest.

"No! None of that, I am working. Also," she leans closer to him, lowering her voice, "this party is for my ex-boyfriend's parents' anniversary. Please behave and please be professional."

"Oh... the ex from last week? Or the ex, ex that you're still madly in love with? And want to carry his babies," he teases as she groans again, hitting him hard in the chest.

"The second one," she mumbles as he laughs before she shoots him a dirty look and he raises his hands in silent surrender.

"Best behavior. I promise." He sighs when she sees the look on her face turn down into a frown. "Relax, love." He grips her arms gently with a smile. "Everything will be okay. I promise. Your man will be here," he shrugs, pulling his hands away, "talk to him."

"I will. Thanks Sam." She walks back out to the gardens as people begin to arrive for the party. She smiles at Eva and Daniel as they approach her, the rest of the Bravo clan following close behind. "Dan, Eva, I hope you have a great night."

"Oh, Nikki. Everything looks beautiful. Thank you." Eva grins, kissing her cheeks before being pulled away by Daniel.

She greets everyone else, Lucas lingering in the back. "Luke." She smiles at him as he approaches her, pulling his hands from his pockets.