"Girl. Guess who has been eyeing you all night?"

Whitney eyed her assistant and cousin Erika. "Girl who?"

Erika laughed and rolled her eyes. "Girl you know who. Kevin Costner… he hasn't taken his eyes off you since you all just talked.

"He is so fine, and you know I'm not even into White men like that."

Whitney felt a flush a giddiness come over her, but quickly pushed it aside. She was feeling Kevin take peeks at her as well. And she was doing the same thing. The two hadn't really talked since they filmed "The Bodyguard" together. The movie that catapulted her into another realm of superstardom. She partly had Kevin to thank for that. She tried to avoid taking the role, fearing it was too big for her. But Kevin was patient and he waited for her until he could convince her to be ready. He knew that no one else could portray the fictional superstar and singer, "Rachel Marron" better than her. She had the ultimate pipes and of course, the ultimate beauty. Interracial relationship be damned. The movie made history and the soundtrack broke records as the best-selling of all time.

The hunky talented and award-winning actor and the beautiful barbie-esque vocal artist forged a friendship. They had begun to entrust each other throughout the filmmaking process Kevin was there with her to comfort when she had her miscarriage on set; she was so grateful for him being there in that sad time.

Whitney loved hearing stories about his kids and their mutual upbringing of being raised in Baptist church. They laughed a lot. Kevin kept her at ease the entire time, and Whitney made him feel like it didn't all feel like work. They had a great time and became quick friends. But they knew it could not be more. Kevin was married and Whitney was engaged and soon-to-be pregnant again. They knew they couldn't cross any lines, so after the movie wrapped up, so did everything else.

The two had not really talked in about a couple of years since tonight at the VH1 Honors, where Whitney received an award and gave a rousing, gospel-tinged performance with her close friend, Gospel star CeCe Winans. Kevin was there to present an award that night as well. They ran into each other backstage, gave each other huge hugs and only got to say a bit of pleasantries and catching up, before Kevin went on stage. Admittedly, there was both a spark, but neither didn't know if it was pure attraction, or adrenaline from the night.

A lot had happened since they last saw each other in their lives. Kevin divorced his wife after 15 years. Although he truly respected her as the mother of his three children, the two had fallen out of love and were in completely different directions. It had been hard on the entire family, but Kevin knew that it was the right thing to do. Since then, he hadn't seriously dated anyone. No one kept his interest so far, but he desired romance and love again. He found the Bachelor life to initially be fun; but now it was lonely and was starting to long someone to share the world with again.

As for Whitney, she had been through a whirlwind hellstorm of a few years. What she thought was a dream wedding that would thought would transpose into a fruitful marriage to (then R&B star) Bobby Brown, became her worst nightmare. Who she thought he was, ended up being the complete opposite; years of physical and substance abuse, stress, infidelity from him, depression, anxiety, etc. on top of her extremely demanding career became too much and she did what she never thought she would have to do so soon. She filed divorce after having another stress-induced miscarriage-after finding Bobby in bed with his background dancer. The only blessing out of the whole thing was her beautiful baby girl Bobbi Kristina, who was her light and world now. She felt like she failed in all aspects of trying marriage and everlasting love; and the messy- rocky union and divorce gave her an emotional scar after feeling like she gave her all and had ended up with nothing in return. Whitney started to spend time with herself and clearing her head. She hoped for love again, but she didn't know how she would be able to open-up so quickly again. The right man for her would have his work to do to win her over. And she would have her work to re-open up her heart.

So she was intrigued, yet confused on why her heart fluttered so quick upon running into Kevin.

Kevin's heart fluttered too and he couldn't take his eyes off her once he came backstage again in the common room. She was as beautiful as ever and her smile lit up the room. Whitney always fascinated him in every way; maybe because she was a real woman who seemed not to be into playing games. She seemed assertive and sure of herself. And he needed to see more of her than just tonight.

He nervously cleared his throat and took a sip of water before walking over to her. Whitney turned around and smirked.

"Hell of a performance. Or should I say, Heaven." He told her. Whitney gave her hearty chuckle "Like I said out there, sometimes the church gets up in me!"

"You never forget you roots." Kevin said. "Never that," Whitney told him. The two chat, enjoy and laugh some more before Kevin gets the nerve to keep in touch with her. "I think I have your old number. Any way I can update my phone book?" he gave his signature half smile. Whitney smiled. "Only if I can get yours too, and we guard it with our hearts."

"Deal." Kevin promised he would call her later that night.

After exchanging numbers, and Kevin leaving, Erika laughed. "I see you cuz! It's about time you tap the well. Ebony and Ivory looks good together." Whitney rolled her eyes this time. "Girl whatever. We're just friends."

"Mmm hmmm. Keep telling yourself that."

"I'm not trying to date anyone for quite awhile." Whitney retorted. However, she really hoped that he would be calling her indeed later that night.

*Three Months Later*

"So. When did you learn how to get down on the ole grill!?" Whiney quizzed Kevin as he plated his signature steaks alongside a baked potato. A tossed salad bowl is in the middle of their table. "You know, I come from a blue-collar family. So my dad made sure to teach the essentials. Barbequing and grilling were my rites of passage."

Whitney eyed the delicious food, the music jams, and took in the ambiance. "Thank you again Kev for inviting me out here. You don't know how much I really needed this getaway."

"You know you're welcome here anytime, Whit." Kevin told her. "This is my special hideaway when things get crazy in my life."

It had been a few months since the two had exchanged numbers. Kevin indeed called Whitney that night, and their friendship blossomed from there. They talked on the phone nearly daily, getting to know each other deeper than most had gotten to before. And each call opened a level of trust. They could talk about anything, vent, share and laugh with one another. It all felt natural and unforced. They had briefly seen each other a couple of times, but this was the first time that they were hanging out all weekend.

Whitney was stressed with wrapping up "Waiting to Exhale" in Phoenix, while Kevin wrapped up him movie "Waterworld". They both had time in their schedule, so Kevin invited Whitney to come chill with him in his hideaway small estate in Aspen. It was a sense of peace and tranquility there for Kevin, he loved coming with friends and family, but didn't mind also coming alone. It gave him time to think, be creative on his movies and writing and helped him to clear his head. He knew it would be good for Whitney since she wasn't terribly far away to come get away.

Kevin set up dinner outside and they talked and laughed like the close friends they had become. Kevin found that he hadn't ever been able to enjoy company like he did with Whitney. She was super down to earth, attentive, charming, sassy, yet sweet and caring inside. Wrapped into a face and smile of a goddess and a voice and body to admire, he couldn't help thinking of her otherwise as a friend. He didn't care if she was Black and he was White. He was aware, but none of that mattered.

After dinner, they sat out a on his porch, listening to slow jams and sipping wine. Whitney can feel that Kevin wants to make a move, which excites and slightly scares her. Kevin was the kindest, yet most assertive man she had ever met. He held the same values as her, as far as family and God being important. But unlike her relationship with her ex, he did not need to feel envious of who she was because of who he was. The thing is that she had never considered being more than friends with anyone outside of her race. The world was changing, but she knew the backlash would still be there. It never seemed to matter with the public; they always seemed to have an opinion one way or another.

After talking about their respective kids, the sat in comfortable silence. The vibe was pleasant. The summer night air was sustainable.

"You know, I've really been enjoying our time together. Running into you a few months ago makes me grateful that we started talking again. I feel like I can talk to you about anything. Things that I can't talk to many others about." Kevin started.

Whitney smiled, as Kevin reached out and grabbed her hand, her wine glass settled in her other hand.

"I'm glad that we ran into each other too. I feel the same way. It's been really good to have someone to talk to, who just listens and gets it all. It's hard to find that these days. You are one of my best friends now. I trust you, which is hard for me to do…"

"Wow. I feel the same way. I trust you too."

They both sat in silence for a few more minutes. The music played and they felt swept up in the moment. Where was this going from here?

Kevin let go of her hand for a moment. He turned towards her and moved a stray hair out of her alluring face. "What if I wanted us to be more than friends? Would that be crazy of me to wonder?"

Butterflies fluttered throughout Whitney's mind, body and soul. Her suspicions and inhibitions were true. "I- I don't know Kev. I'm really feeling you. Like hard. But you know the world we live in. Would they be ready?" her almond shaped mocha eyes stared into his deep ocean blue ones.

"I don't know what they will think either. It's not about them honestly. Fuck em" Kevin said, knowing she was talking about their race and their fame. "I do know how I feel about you. The rest will work itself out along the way"

Whitney grabbed his hand again. "You know I feel the same about you. I- just-I…."

Kevin gently grabbed her face and stroked her chiseled peachy brown cheek. He could lightly hear her labored breathing over the music.

"If you don't want me to kiss you. Then tell me now…." He told her.

Whitney grabbed his shoulder. "I want you to kiss me. If only you promise that no matter what may or not happen. Or what may or may not work out, that I don't lose my best friend."

Kevin licked his handsome lips and smiled. "I promise you that will remain the most important thing. Our friendship."

This time, Whitney moved in and they shared a passionate refreshing kiss for the first time, tasting the sweetness of each other's tongues for the first time into the night.

They damn sure wanted to make sure that it would not be their last.