“But it is now… with Kent,” Bree surmised.
Kara started laughing at that. “Oh, I bet Kent shit a brick when you told him.”
“Kara!”
“No, Kara’s right. That’s pretty much the reaction I’d expected when I told Kent, but he really took it in stride. He didn’t freak out, and he said he still wanted to see me. I gave him an out, but he didn’t take it.”
“But,” Briana prompted.
“But, since then, he hasn’t touched me. I mean, not even a kiss.” Nicole played with the frayed edge of her towel as she spoke. “Before I told him, we kissed and made out a bit, and it was really hot, but ever since I told him, he has given me a kiss on the cheek, or the forehead, but has made no attempt to really kiss me. Do you think that means he’s not interested anymore?”
“Nicole, Kent may be a great looking, single, man who has no problem getting women, but he isn’t a ladies man. I mean, he doesn’t lie, and he doesn’t treat girls like crap.” Briana said in his defense. “If he didn’t want to see you anymore, he would respect you enough to tell you, I swear.”
“That’s true,” Kara put in. “Kent is always a straight shooter, he wouldn’t lead you on.”
“Then what do you think it is?” Nicole asked, hopeful that they could help her figure it out. She really didn’t want him to pull away from her; she was beginning to care about him too much.
“Maybe he just doesn’t know how to act.” Briana suggested. “He’s used to having sex with the girls he sees. Not to sound crass, but it’s true. Maybe he isn’t sure how to treat you, when he knows the end result will not include sex. I’m sure it’s new territory for him.”
“That’s true,” Kara added. “If I put myself in his shoes, I have to admit, I wouldn’t know what to do.”
“Well, I’m not going to have sex with him. No matter what my feelings for him are, I won’t have sex with anyone who isn’t my husband.”
“No, and no one expects you to, least of all Kent. He’s going to respect your beliefs.” Briana assured her.
“I think you need to let him know that there are other things you can do besides have sex. Sexy things,” Kara said with a wink.
“Yeah,” Briana added. “Maybe you need to take the lead and show him that you want to kiss him, that you want to make-out with him, and any other things you may want to do with him.”
Nicole knew what they were saying was probably true; she just worried that he would reject her advances. She would be mortified if that happened. On the other hand, she missed kissing him. She wanted him to see that she was a passionate woman, and she wanted to deepen their relationship.
“You guys are right,” Nicole said aloud. “When we get home, I’ll tell Kent how I feel, and let him know what I want.”
“You go girl!” Kara said as she put her sunglasses back over her eyes and lay back on her lounge chair.
“Don’t worry, Nicole,” Briana said while she patted her on the shoulder. “I know it’ll work out, and Kent will appreciate your honesty.”
They all laid back and enjoyed the sun until it was time to go in and get ready for dinner.
Colin came home while they were getting dressed. Nicole finished getting ready first, and went to sit with him at the table while they waited for Bree and Kara.
“Would you like some wine while we wait?” Colin asked Nicole.
“Sure, that sounds great,” She responded.
Nicole couldn’t help but appreciate Colin’s effort. He looked so handsome as he poured her a glass of red, and she thought again how lucky Briana was to be living the life that she wanted with the man she loved. Nicole hoped she could find a love like theirs.
She had loved Jake, but she’d never felt the passion for him that she felt for Kent. She’d never felt nervous around him, or excited just to hear the sound of his voice.
When Colin placed the glass in front of her and sat down, she tried to clear her head and focus on what he was saying.
“How’s everything going at work?” He asked her.
“Pretty good,” Nicole responded. “It can get hectic some nights, but the money’s not bad, and I love everyone I work with. I know it’s not a long term job, but for now, it’s nice to go in and enjoy what I’m doing.”
“Yeah, you can’t ask for much more than that.”
“How about you, how’s the job here? Is it everything you hoped for?” Nicole asked, then took a sip of her wine.
Colin got a wide grin on his face, causing the dimples in his cheeks to deepen, and his eyes to twinkle.
“It really is. I love what I’m doing. I miss my folks and I feel bad that I can’t take over the store for my dad, but this is exactly where I want to be. I can’t believe how lucky I’m.” Colin looked up and his smile got even broader when Bree walked over to where he was sitting. “Not only do I have my dream job, but I have the love of my life by my side. It doesn’t get much better than this.”
“Awww, Babe,” Briana cooed as she leaned down to kiss him. “Ditto.”
Nicole couldn’t help but smile at the pair of them and their obvious happiness.
“Ya’ll ready?” Kara said as she sauntered in from the bathroom. “This girl is starvin’.”
They all got up and headed out to enjoy the girls’ last night in Austin.
Chapter Twelve
It wasn’t that Kent
