Kayla sat in front of her dresser, combing her hair. She was preparing for her date with Nathan.
The sound of a door opening and closing alerted her to Grecia’s arrival. Kayla looked towards her doorway. When no other sound came, she stood up and walked towards the living room. When Kayla got there, she saw Grecia sitting across the length of the couch, holding a paperback in her hands.
“Friend, are you okay?” Kayla asked after walking to the front and seeing the expression on Grecia’s face.
“I’m fine.”
“Grecia, you know you can tell me anything. And I know you. It’s Ashton, right?”
Grecia dropped her book on her lap, closing her eyes.
“What happened?” Kayla asked, sitting on the sofa next to Grecia’s feet. The girl was barely short enough to leave enough space for Kayla to sit.
“I don’t know what I should do anymore. I thought Ashton knew that I wanted more, and now he’s after his next lay. I saw him with a girl a few hours ago.”
“Why don’t you talk to him? Tell him how you feel about him?”
“That’s the problem, he won’t listen! Ashton’s too afraid of commitment.”
“I don’t think so.”
“You don’t know him.”
Kayla frowned, thinking about what to say.
“You’re in love with him, right?”
Grecia scowled.
“Yes. And I can’t fathom how I was such a fool. I fell in love with someone who can’t love me back.”
Kayla put her hand on Grecia’s shoulder, trying to comfort her.
“Honestly, friend, you and Ashton spent so little time together. You shouldn’t waste any time. Find excuses to be with him. Let him see what he would lose if you were to go away for good.”
Grecia pursed her lips.
“I don’t think he would follow me if I left. Ashton’s a womanizer. He’ll never think I’m enough for him.”
Kayla stood up and put her hands on her hips.
“Grecia Joan Nichols, you won’t be belittled. You are gorgeous. If Ashton has a problem with that, ask him to talk to me.”
Grecia couldn’t help cracking a smile.
“What do I do?”
Kayla sat back down and thought up a plan.
“Let’s have you borrow a leaf out of my book. And I mean that for real. I’m not a romance author for nothing.”
Grecia laughed at that. She then listened as Kayla gave her advice.
Moments later, Kayla waited outside her dorm building. She was on her phone, texting with a friend from Tulsa, Kayla’s hometown.
Shortly afterward, Kayla looked up. She saw Nathan’s car pull up into a space in the parking lot in front of her. He killed the engine and got out. Kayla stood from the bench she’d been sitting on.
“Hi, baby,” Nathan said, the endearment making Kayla melt as usual.
“How are you, love?” she told him, the two locking in an embrace. Nathan then pulled back to look at her.
“Ready to have some fun?”
“With you, always,” Kayla said, and Nathan took her hand. He led her to his car, opening the passenger side door for her to enter. After getting behind the wheel, Nathan revved the engine and drove.
“I was thinking we’ll grab some ice cream and then go to the park. Does that sound good?”
Kayla licked her lips.
“Mmm. I’d love that.”
Nathan headed out of the university campus through Cradit Farm Road, and then took University Avenue. He then headed for Highway 13. A few minutes afterward, he pulled into the parking lot of the Purity Ice Cream Company, Inc.
“Let’s go,” said Nathan, getting out of the car. He walked around to Kayla’s side and opened her door. When she stepped out, he took her hand. The two walked to the restaurant together.
“It’s been some time since we had ice cream,” Kayla said as they walked. She was recalling last summer.
“Yeah, I know. And we still haven’t had it picnic style, going to the park.”
“You know what? We could bring bikes.”
Nathan turned his head to look at Kayla.
“You’d like a bike?”
“It seems fun. Or roller skates.”
“Then I’ll buy you some later.”
Once they were ready to place their order, Nathan bought a chocolate chip sundae. Kayla ordered a shake with Oreo cookie crumbs.
“They say it’s good to stay in touch with your inner child,” Nathan whispered to Kayla while they waited to get their ice cream. She bumped him on the shoulder.
“Shut up. I know you’ll be picking at my milkshake.”
“Ha.”
After getting their ice cream, Kayla and Nathan walked back to his car. He drove south on 13, heading for the Robert H. Treman State Park. Once they got there, Nathan walked over to open Kayla’s door again. They walked hand in hand on Park Lane until they spotted a table and went to sit on it.
“It’s a beautiful day,” Kayla said.
“That’s exactly why we’re here,” Nathan told her. “It’s already October. The weather will begin to cool soon and we won’t have an opportunity to share ice cream at the park again.”
“Maybe not, but we can make do with hot chocolate and cookies.”
“I like the sound of that,” Nathan said, sitting on the same side of the table as Kayla. They were silent for a few moments, eating their ice cream. Then Nathan smiled mischievously and stole a small spoonful of Kayla’s ice cream when she wasn’t looking.
“Hey!” Kayla said, feigning an annoyed tone. She then slid her spoon into Nathan’s ice cream and ate the part she retrieved.
“Your Oreo ice cream is delicious,” he told Kayla, and she laughed.
“Who’s the kid now?” she teased him, taking another spoonful of her treat. Nathan watched her lips as she savored the ice cream. Her cheeks went red, and she swallowed. Nathan leaned forward and kissed her. Kayla kissed him back, getting a little carried away.
“Wow. You’re such a great kisser,” Nathan said, and Kayla giggled.
“Want some more?”
“Sure,” he replied, and he watched as Kayla continued eating her ice cream. Nathan ate his own, still drawn to Kayla’s lips and the way they moved.
Kayla could tell he was watching her, and she seemed to be enjoying it. Nathan picked at her ice cream again, placing the spoon in his mouth afterward. Kayla did the same with his ice cream.
The sound of a bird call sounded overhead. Kayla looked up, searching the trees. Nathan didn’t waste the opportunity to steal more ice cream, of course. She looked down and narrowed her eyes playfully at him.
After finishing their ice cream, Nathan spoke.
“How about we find a more private place?” he asked. Kayla looked around. She had been so absorbed in her own bubble with Nathan that she hadn’t even noticed the people having fun in the park.
“Oh, shoot. I thought we were already alone.”
Nathan guffawed.
“You must be enthralled.”
“Completely,” Kayla said, standing up and grabbing Nathan’s hand. They walked away, dropping their empty ice cream containers inside a trashcan they found along the way.
Once they found a private enough spot, they sat down on the ground. Kayla lay down on her back, and Nathan looked down at her.
She’s so beautiful. It should be so easy to fall in love with her the way I love Amanda.
Kayla’s eyes looked up at him.
“Admiring the view?”
“Of course,” said Nathan, leaning down and kissing her lips again. Kayla’s arms moved to lay above her head. Nathan moved his body on top of Kayla, straddling her. She looked up at him.
“You may have just given me a new idea to use in my books,” Kayla whispered.
“What? Making out in the park?”
“Yeah! It’s so romantic.”
Nathan laughed as he opened the buttons of Kayla’s blouse, and then kissed her on the ne
ck.
“You are one adorable woman,” he muttered, making Kayla laugh.
“You’re not so bad yourself.”
Nathan ‘punished’ that remark by tickling her. Kayla laughed harder, jerking around.
“Stop that!” said Kayla, arching on her back. Nathan joined in her laughter.
“Have I told you you’re lovely?”
“You may have. Once or twice.”
“Well, it is worth repeating,” Nathan told her, leaning down to kiss her lips. He bit on her bottom lip softly, drawing a moan from her.
That moment, Nathan felt determined to forget Amanda, no matter what it took. He moved off Kayla and leaned down on the ground next to her.
“Let’s look at the sky. It doesn’t look as good when it’s winter.”
Kayla looked up, counting the clouds.
“We should lie like this, but at night,” she said, lost in thought. “And see the stars.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Kayla’s head turned to look at Nathan, and he met her glance. Her gray eyes were very attractive.
It’s like Nathan’s mind was hardwired for it. He saw a pair of stunning emerald-green eyes flash in front of him.
Damn. Amanda isn’t supposed to be intruding in my thoughts right now. How can I be so drawn to her, when she doesn’t want anything to do with me?
Kayla seemed to read the trouble in Nathan’s eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. You’re just so damn cute,” he said, blurting out the first excuse that came to mind. It managed to immediately dispel Kayla’s worry.
“You think?”
“I know so. You’re a gorgeous woman,” Nathan told her, moving to straddle her again. The two kissed each other once more, losing themselves in each other.
I’ve gotta convince myself that this is the woman I want, Nathan thought to himself as he opened Kayla’s blouse further and eased it off her shoulders. He then kissed her chest, enjoying what she tasted and felt like.
“Ready for more risk?” he asked, and Kayla nodded.
“You’re all about risk lately.”
“I’m not sure why,” Nathan replied, unzipping Kayla’s jeans and tugging them off her. A thought popped up in his head. “How about we go skydiving someday? Or, I dunno, BMX?”
“Seriously?” Kayla asked, her eyebrows arched. “If I wasn’t seeing you right now, I’d doubt this was you.”
“What? Doesn’t skydiving appeal to you?”
“It’s not that. It’s just…you seem different.”
Nathan blew off her concerns.
“We’ve known each other for about six months, and seen each other for less than that. You still have a lot to learn about me.”
Kayla shrugged.
“Doesn’t mean I don’t like you right now,” she said, running a hand through his hair. “Maybe we could share new experiences after graduation.”
“I very much hope so,” Nathan told her. “Do you have any plans?”
“Not now. Let’s just live the present, okay?”
“All right.”
Nathan bent down to kiss Kayla’s shoulder, and then caressed down her arm. Her steel-gray eyes, which now resembled diamonds under the sunlight, looked back into his.
“Nathan, I love you,” Kayla told him, her eyes telling him that she was sure of her words. “I love being by your side, especially when you make me laugh.”
He smiled. It’s funny. I’ve heard that lots of women like it when their guys make them laugh. Guess it’s true.
Nathan tried to keep his expression from faltering as he said the next words.
“I adore you. Very, very much,” he said, unable to make himself say the other three, significant words. “You bring light to the darkness in my life.”
Kayla didn’t seem to mind Nathan’s inability to tell her he loved her, but she latched on to his last sentence.
“Darkness?”
“It’s a way of saying you make me happy when I’m sad,” Nathan explained. “Don’t read anything fishy into it. It’s not like I’m bipolar or something.”
“I’m glad that you’re happy with me,” Kayla said, moving so that Nathan now lay on his back and she was on top of him. “Let’s get on with it.”
Ashton waited for Judith in a bench right outside his dorm building. He had his arms behind his head, looking out with an air of anticipation. He was thinking about how wonderful the night would be.
When Ashton detected movement to his left, he jerked his head around. His eyes widened when he saw who was coming.
Ashton hastily stood up and walked towards Grecia. She stopped when he reached her.
“Grecia, what are you doing here?”
“I craved your company,” she replied, placing her hands on Ashton’s arms. He grabbed Grecia’s wrists.
“You can’t be here. You must leave now.”
“I’m staying.”
“Please, just go. You and I have got nothing to talk about.”
“You can’t fool me,” Grecia told Ashton as she leaned into him. “I see that fire in your eyes every time you look at me. You find me irresistible.”
Indeed, Ashton’s gaze heated as he looked down at Grecia. His gaze diverted down from her eyes. Even though the night was cooling, she was wearing a thin blouse that afforded a great view of her ample chest. Her red hair looked stunning in the light of the coming sunset.
Judith will be here any moment. I can’t let either her or Grecia see each other, Ashton thought.
“Why don’t we relive the old days? I’d prefer that to the way you treat me lately.”
“You knew full well that our relationship was short-term and no-strings-attached,” Ashton reminded Grecia. “I never promised you more.”
“I didn’t decide to want more. My heart did.”
Ashton groaned, shaking his head and turning his back on Grecia. She looked at him in frustration.
“You’re a smoldering woman. I know you could have any guy you wanted.”
“Too late. I want you.”
Ashton ran his hand through his hair, exasperated.
Just then, a Volkswagen Eos convertible pulled into the parking lot. Judith got into a space right in front of the bench Ashton had vacated. She killed the engine and walked out of her car, striding towards Ashton. He looked at her with wide eyes.
Dayuummm. If Judith pulled out all the stops, she’s definitely attracted to me.
Judith had dressed in a simple but stylish green skirt, black sandals, and a white blouse with black accents. The blouse had short sleeves and a revealing V-cut. Judith had also worn pink lipstick, subtle eye shadows, and had done her hair into a ponytail.
“It’s a nice afternoon,” she remarked.
“It is.”
“Who is she?” Grecia asked Ashton, who had chosen to ignore her.
“I meant to ask that question, too,” Judith said.
“She’s, um, Grecia, a classmate,” Ashton replied. “But she was just leaving.”
Grecia narrowed her eyes at Ashton’s insistent gaze. She looked at Judith, who looked stunning the way she had dressed.
“Then we can go now?” Judith asked, trying to mask her worry.
“Wait a mo—”
“You should leave, Grecia,” Ashton cut across her. “You know I’m bad at that subject.”
Grecia frowned, taking a moment to catch the subtle message. Then her eyebrows rose.
“Oh, trust me, Ashton. You can make straight A’s in that subject,” Grecia said, brazenly moving forward and placing her arms around him. She didn’t hesitate to kiss him, right in front of a thunderstruck Judith.
“J—Judith,” Ashton panted once he was able to break free from Grecia. He looked at Judith, who was staring daggers at him.
“Is that what you brought me all the way here for? Screw you,” she said, turning around and stalking towards her convertible. Ashton looked from Grecia, to Judith, and back to the former.
&
nbsp; “What have you done?”
“I’ve done enough lamenting,” Grecia replied. “I want you and I won’t waste time anymore.”
Ashton shook his head and turned toward Judith. By that time, she had already revved the engine and pulled out of her space. The Volkswagen’s headlights temporarily blinded him.
“Judith, wait! I can explain,” Ashton said, unable to reach her fast enough. Her car drove forward and away from the lot, disappearing around the corner.
“You’ll thank me for this one day,” Grecia told him.
“Go away! I don’t want to see you. Leave now.”
Ashton crossed his arms, scowling at Grecia. She smiled as she walked towards him. When she touched his arm, Ashton flinched.
“I said go!”
“Come on, Ashton. You’d think I ate your chocolate cake. I’m prettier than she is! She has to wear a push-up bra to get her cleavage to look like mine.”
Ashton gasped, turning beet red. His eyes darted unconsciously to Grecia’s chest.
“Say you want me,” Grecia continued, placing her arms around Ashton. His anger was subsiding.
“Women,” he murmured, closing his eyes. Grecia took that chance to kiss him again.
“You can’t deny I’m the woman that you find the most attractive. I’ve seen how you look at me when we pass each other in the hallways.”
“No guy could overlook a girl like you.”
“Then why are you making this hard on both of us? Just accept what you feel, and be with me.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Hello? Relationships never are. You’re making things harder by agonizing over the next step.”
Ashton shook his head, and then took a step back.
“No, you can’t turn down this,” said Grecia, pulling her blouse over her head to reveal she was wearing a sheer blue bikini top underneath. Ashton’s mind blew up.
“Grecia, we’re out in the friggin’ open!”
“Then take me upstairs, dumbass.”
Resisting a bout of hysterical laughter, Ashton picked up Grecia’s blouse and then took her into his arms. He hastily walked to the dorm building. Thankfully, the dorms had no receptionist to witness the scene.
“Cute little devil,” Ashton said, making Grecia laugh.
Hughes rented a car for Amanda after her plane touched down in Manhattan the following Saturday. The two then drove to the hotel room Amanda always used when she was in the city. It actually belonged to Brad. He let Amanda use it whenever she needed to.
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