Over the next couple weeks, Serena quietly observed Justin and Kerri.  The two were almost inseparable after that fateful night spent together.  Trace also couldn’t help but notice their quick attachment to one another and he and Serena both feared that it would only lead to disaster.  It’d be one thing if it was all about the sex.  But that was far from the truth.  Justin and Kerri would never admit that to their friends or to each other.  Hell, they weren’t even able to admit it to themselves. 

They had become so bonded to one another that it was almost as if they were the same person.  Finishing off each other’s sentences.  Picking up the phone, knowing who it was without even checking the caller ID.  Ordering food at restaurants for one another--it was almost sickening.  Serena and Kerri had been like sisters for years, and Trace and Justin were basically brothers.  Who the hell did these two think they were becoming so close so soon? 

“…I don’t know how you can do it, Justin.”  Kerri fell onto the couch, feeling spent from their trip.

Justin dropped their bags on the floor and fell back on top of Kerri, who was sprawled out on the couch.  “It’s just something I gotta do to get where I wanna be.”

Kerri wrapped her denim clad legs around his chest and gently kissed the top of his head, which was resting in between her breasts.  Justin rubbed her legs as she continued to speak.  “Take this week for example.  We were in New York for two days, and then we flew all the way across the globe to Europe for four days in which we stayed at three different hotels around the continent.  Then…We turn right back around and come all the way back to New York for half a day, only to leave on a plane that night and shooting back here to LA.”

“Yeah.  It gets pretty crazy.”  He agreed shuffling his body around so they were face to face.  “But don’t act like you weren’t enjoying being able to go off and interview people for your radio show.”  He trailed his fingers across her lips and kissed her tenderly.  He could taste the strawberry lip-gloss she’d put on earlier in the car.  “You taste good.”

“Yeah.  You tell me that all the time.”  She smiled running her fingers through what little hair he had left after his recent shave.  “But your head is usually down a bit further.” She smiled, lightly pushing down on the top of his head.

A devilish smile crept across his face as he trailed kisses down the front of her shirt to the zipper of her pants, “Like thi-“

“Get a room.” An annoyed voice called out from behind them. 

 Trace walked past them into the kitchen carrying a large pizza and three bags of food.  Serena trailed behind him with two bags of soda.  Kerri laid there frustrated at the interruption.  Justin had almost forgotten that the two of them had picked him and Kerri up at LAX earlier.  “Motherfucka, this is my house.  I don’t need to get a room.” Justin stated plainly.  He placed one last kiss against her navel and reluctantly got up and headed into the kitchen.

Trace sighed.  “Well, do that shit somewhere else.  You got guests.”

“Bitch, you stopped being a guest when were two.”  Justin laughed as he grabbed a plate and dished out the food. 

He picked out all the onions from the corner piece of cheese steak that was on the plate and threw them in the trash before taking the plate over to Kerri.  Serena lightly elbowed Trace to look at them, before putting her finger down her throat to simulate a gag.  

Justin was always sweet like that.  He’d come over to their apartment to hang out and help wash the dishes anytime Kerri or Serena would cook.  He’d cook for her when she was over his house. Opened doors for her like a gentleman should. Held onto her as they walked through a borage of fans and photographers to make sure she was safe. Shielded her face from the flashing lights of camera’s all around them. Fixed her plate and picked out things that she didn’t like in her food.  It was the little things that equaled up in the end. To everyone around them, they acted like a couple without the official title.

The next night, while Kerri and Kelly were off picking up food for everyone, Justin, Serena, and Trace sat around the table trying to iron out some final details for something they had been trying to plan for almost a month.  “…Well what did you have in mind for her birthday?”  Serena asked rolling her eyes at the fact that no one liked her idea.

“Don’t roll your eyes, Rena.”  Justin said, patting her hand gently.  “I want it to be the best one she’s ever had and I can’t do that without you.  You know her better than anyone.”

Serena was thinking the complete opposite lately.  She hadn’t spent a moment alone with her roommate for months.  And when she did, Kerri was either too tired or too busy working to talk.  She could see the sincerity in his eyes as he kept speaking.  “I want to fulfill one of her childhood fantasies.  What has she always wanted to do?”

Serena thought quietly for a minute before finally telling him about a dream Kerri constantly talked about a few years back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“...Well what do you want me to do, Serena?  Just get up and walk out the damn door?  I’m in the middle of recording a show!” 

Kerri and Serena had been arguing on the phone about when she was coming home from the office.  Kerri was finishing up some work on a show that she was pre-recording so that she could have them pull it out if she ended up traveling out of town unexpectedly. She'd been so scared that she was going to get fired for taking so much time off and not doing certain shows live.  But lately when she would return from overseas with interviews and impromptu performances from different artists, the heads of the station saw her ratings soar and were pretty lenient with her after that.  She still didn’t want to take any chances though.

It was her birthday and she was stuck working again.  It was like any other year.  She actually couldn’t remember a time when she didn’t work on her birthday.  This year it sucked because it was actually her weekend off, but she had been putting work off for so long that she had no choice but to make her way over to the station at noon to finish it up.

Kerri hated arguing with Serena.  She was usually the one Kerri depended on to turn her birthday into a day worth celebrating.  “Fine.  Just try and hurry up please.”  Serena pleaded before hanging up.

Kerri went back to work, feverishly splicing different audio tracks together on the computer.  The secretary from the front desk came into the room with a large bouquet of yellow roses.  Kerri read the card, “Happy Birthday, Tasty Cake!”  She instantly knew they were from Justin and smiled.

He had told her that he was going to be out of town on her Birthday but would try to make it up to her as soon as he got back.  She would have rather spent time with him as opposed to getting flowers, but she already knew it was something she would have to live with.  She went to reach for her phone to call him, but stopped short of dialing his number.  She realized she'd never get out of there on time if she started talking to him.  She shoved the phone down into her purse, ridding herself of the temptation, before finally turning her focus on to the tasks ahead of her. 

For the next four hours while Kerri was working, she ended up receiving another few dozen yellow roses with witty cards.  When she was finally finished, she grabbed up all the flowers she could and headed home.  She struggled to get into the apartment with the bundles of flowers under her arm which were hanging halfway out of a large brown paper bag she’d found at work.  She almost made it inside until her arm slipped and the flowers went sliding down onto the floor.  When she looked up to call Serena for help she was surprised to find the hallway of the apartment decorated with streamers, confetti, and balloons.  She grabbed up the flowers and headed down the hall into the living room and saw a large handmade sign that said “Happy Birthday, Kerri!” hanging from the wall.

She called out to her friend and her heart bolted out of her chest when Serena, Justin, Trace, and a whole slew of her friends popped out and screamed, “Surprise!” in unison.

Kerri covered her mouth in shock at all the decorations and effort that had gone into making her birthday so special.  She glared at her roommate as she walked over to hug her. “You tricked me!” she hugged her tightly.

“I had to make you feel bad, so you’d be home on time.”  Serena smiled placing a plastic tiara gently on her head and grabbing the bag of flowers from her hand to put them in water.

Kerri looked around and spotted ballerina figurines intricately placed all around the apartment.  Ever since she was a little girl she’d always wanted a birthday with a ballerina theme, but it was never possible.  Trace came out of the back bedroom with something hidden behind his back and a huge grin on his face.  Kerri was shocked when he whipped out a pink ruffled tutu. "Oh my God! I can't believe you guys!" she exclaimed, covering her face in slight embarrassment as Trace draped it around her waist.

When she brought her hands down from her face, Justin was standing there smiling at her.  “I see you got my flowers.”  He took her hand and twirled her around before embracing her tightly and wishing her happy birthday. They exchanged a light and friendly hug so as not to arouse suspicion.

The party was going well.  Justin had ordered what seemed like a truckload catered foods.  Serena had spent most of the day in the kitchen baking a cake and cookies in the shape of ballerinas.  You could tell Trace had helped put on the icing by the variety of large breasts and sexual gadgets in some of their hands.

While Kerri was helping Trace change the CD's in the stereo, she heard someone knocking loudly on the door and rushed down the hallway to answer it.  She crossed her fingers, praying it wasn't one of her neighbors complaining about the noise.  She opened the door fully expecting to have to give a million apologies, but found herself stunned and in a state of pure disbelief as she starred at her ex-boyfriend standing on her doorstep.  "David?"

"Happy Birthday, Kerri." he said softly, outstretching a rectangular box that appeared to be perfectly wrapped.

Kerri stood there stunned not knowing what to do next.  Should she just tell him to fuck off and slam the door in his face?  But why do that now after all this time?  She’d always been cordial to him when they used to work together.  Why suddenly break character now?  She reluctantly took it and thanked him.  "You didn't have to do this."

"I unconsciously bought it.  I was out shopping, like I do every other Saturday and picked it up thinking it would be the perfect present.  When I got home, I remembered that you weren't there...I do that sometimes."  his voice trailed off.  "Look, I didn't mean to barge in.  You're usually working.  I was just going to drop this off with Serena."

His sentiment seemed genuine.  She hated that he could always spin things around and make himself look good.  She fell for it almost every time.  He would do something wrong and in the end it was always her chasing him down to apologize--Even though she wasn’t the one who needed forgiveness. 

As he turned to leave Kerri called to him, "How are you?"

The two of them talked briefly at the door.  He didn't ask to come in, and Kerri never extended the invitation.  Justin walked down the hallway of the apartment searching for the birthday girl.  He walked up to Kerri to talk to her and saw a taller man standing there smiling at her.  "Everyone's ready for cake."  he interrupted.

Kerri was a bit startled by his unexpected presence behind her.  She cleared her throat and introduced them.  Kerri could see the surprise in David’s eyes as the two men shook hands a little too firmly.  She relished in the idea that David was probably standing there with a million questions barreling through his mind about why this musician was standing in her apartment with his hand resting on the small of her back.   After a moment of awkward silence between the three of them, Justin said, "I'm gonna go and have Serena set everything up.  It was nice meeting you, David." 

He reluctantly disappeared back down the hallway and Kerri took that as her opportunity to say goodbye as well. 

"I hope you enjoy the gift."

"Thanks again," Kerri apprehensively reached out and gently hugging him before saying goodbye and slowly shutting the door.  She looked through the peep hole and watched as he stood there for a moment with his hands dug down is his pocket.  He scratched his head a few times and looked like he was about to knock again, but finally turned and walked away towards the stairs.  Kerri let her head fall back against the door and took a deep breath.  She was more than a little overwhelmed to see David at her doorstep again.  She took another deep breath before heading back down the hallway.  She prayed that Justin wouldn’t pull her to the side and ask her any questions about David.  This was her birthday after all, and she didn’t want it ruined by having to discuss her past.  She looked down at the perfectly wrapped box, still in her hand, and opened up the closet door, placing it gingerly on the top shelf before heading back to her party.

Everyone seemed to be having a great time.  Justin was sitting on the other side of the room with a few of Kerri's friends from college, while she sat in the dining area playing a quick game of spades with Carlos and two other guys.  She and Justin's body language was speaking novels as they looked at one another with bedroom eyes.

Montell Jordan's "Time To Say Goodbye" was playing softly throughout the apartment.  Kerri couldn't help but chuckle to herself when she heard the lyrics.  Justin grinned in recognition, knowing both of them felt just like the couple in the song.

It's getting late

And I don't want them to stay

They don't have to go home

But they gotta get up, get out, and get on

Now I don't mind entertaining
But your body language is telling me
Along with your bedroom eyes
Feels like its time for them to leave

At around six, Trace and Serena started to clean up.  Little by little guests began to leave.  Kerri was in the hallway closet fetching more coats when a figure came up behind her, pushing her inside the tiny room full of shoes and jackets.  She smelled his cologne and smiled widely. "If you're gonna try and take me by surprise, you should wear a different cologne." she teased.

"Shhhh..." is all he said as he shoved his body up against hers and began to kiss her. 

His lips were soft and warm, his tongue excited her as it darted in and out, fencing with hers. As the kiss lingered and their tongues tangled, Justin's hand traveled down to Kerri's ass.  He grasped it, squeezing it and sending tremors through her body.  Her breathing quickened, "Is this suppose to be my birthday gift?"

Kerri could feel the smile forming on his lips as they continued to kiss, "No.  You've been giving me those 'fuck me' eyes all night.  I just couldn't wait any longer."

Kerri began to laugh until Justin covered her mouth so that no one would know where they were.  She trembled with excitement, remembering back to a night where he did that same thing to her when they were in her bed together--Covering her mouth with his hand so as not to awaken a sleeping Serena across the hall as he methodically slid in and out of her body, making her cry out. She couldn’t wait till everyone left so they could do that again.   She whimpered slightly when she felt his hand move away from her lips.  He began kissing her neck and nibbling at her ear as his other hand explored her breasts.  Kerri took her hands and slipped them underneath his shirt and glided them up the front of Justin's chest.  It was on fire.  She slowly began to slide her hands down and began to undo his belt.

KNOCK KNOCK

Justin and Kerri immediately froze.  "Will one of you please toss the rest of the coats out here so everyone can leave?"  Serena whispered through the door.

The two of them looked towards one another and giggled lightly before opening the door a crack and tossing the remaining jackets at her.  Serena rolled her eyes as she gathered up the coats and headed back into the living room.

Kerri searched for Justin's face in the dark and tried to start up where they'd left off, but Justin stopped her, pecking her on the lips.  "This will have to wait till later."

Kerri reluctantly left Justin in the closet by himself to allow his erection to subside and went to say goodbye to all her guests.  As the last couple of friends were leaving, Kerri noticed Trace was piling up luggage by the door.  "What are you doing?"

"We have a plane to catch in 30 minutes."

She followed Trace into the living room where she found Justin with his jacket already on, tying up the trash in the kitchen. "Huh?  Where are you guys going?" 

"It's all of us."  Serena smiled. 

Kerri was completely confused about what was going on.  Serena dragged Kerri’s suitcase out into the living room and she noticed that it was already packed.  She looked to Justin for some sort of clue, but he never said a word.  He just smiled, kissing her forehead and said, “Come on, birthday girl. We’re gonna be late!” 

It took about twenty minutes for them to reach a tiny airport located near LAX where a private jet was waiting for their arrival.  Kerri stepped onto the plane and took a seat near the window up front.  Serena followed behind her, stopping midway on the plane to take in all the plush off-white leather seating, wood grain separators, and LCD monitors.  Trace nudged her bringing her out of her gaze and they both found seats near the back of the plane.  Justin was last to board, stopping to talk to one of the pilots in private.  He made his way over to Kerri who was anxiously looking out of the window.  He leaned is body down in front of her and pushed down the window partition and told her she wasn’t allowed to peek.   As he went to get back up he pecked her softly on the lips.  Kerri took her hand and placed it gently on his cheek and pulled his face back in closer to hers.  She wanted to say something, but the words just weren’t there.  It was like they were caught in her throat.  Justin simply smiled and leaned in towards her ear and whispered, “Your welcome.”

He kissed her a little harder, sending her head back into the head-rest, as he let his tongue explore her mouth. His mind raced when she gently sucked his tongue.  Breaking the kiss he shook his hiead and said, “Mmmm, mmmm.  Don’t start nothin’ you can’t finish, girl!” 

“Now we both know damn well that I can fin-“ Kerri’s words trailed off when she noticed one of the pilots appear from the front with an open bottle of champagne and a tray full of champagne flutes.  Justin thanked him and began pouring the glasses and handing them out to everyone.  He took his seat, opposite of Kerri, on the other side of the aisle.  He turned his gaze behind him to Serena, then Trace and finally to Kerri and lifted his glass and said, “To new adventures…”

“To new adventures!” they repeated in unison before clinking their glasses together.

"You ready?"  Justin asked as he watched her sip her champagne.

Kerri was giddy with excitement when she asked, "Where are we going?"