Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 109178 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109178 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
“Follow me to my apartment. Let’s talk.”
He nodded, and she watched him walk away. Getting in her car, she started up the engine, then slowly pulled out of the parking space. Moments later, his big truck’s lights lit up the area. His window was rolled down, and his arm jetted out from it. Garth Brooks’ ‘That Summer’ could be heard coming from his vehicle.
She took her foot off the break and drove, the lyrics of a familiar country tune about a man loving a woman drifting in the wind…
CHAPTER FIVE
A Candid Heart to Heart
Vanilla musk candles flickered, casting streams of broken light across the cantaloupe-colored walls. Grey Goose Vodka and Ocean Spray cranberry juice was poured and served in frosted glasses. ‘Until the End of Time,’ by Justin Timberlake played just loud enough for one to hear the lyrics, but not at a volume that drowned out conversation or sidetracked from the outstanding vibe.
Shoes kicked off, Lennox watched Nadia stretch and yawn. She’d changed into something a bit more comfortable. Extending her long, shapely legs across her dark gray couch, she crossed her ankles and wiggled her dark blue painted toenails, halfheartedly looking at her diamond toe ring that sparkled under the small chandelier lights. Reaching over, she began to massage her soles.
Her small feet looked soft and smooth, as if she’d never danced, stripped, or even walked a day in her life. He sat across from her, slouched down on the matching gray loveseat, taking her all in. The lighting in the area did amazing things to her expressive dark eyes. Her skin glowed. Her aura shined.
The lavender globs of bopping paraffin wax floating slowly up and down a rocket-shaped lava lamp tossed reflections against her body and the entire room. Portions of the wall put him in mind of being poolside as the liquid and light merged, tossing abstract reflections here and there.
The aroma of a stick of Japanese cherry incense transported a sweet, smoky scent throughout the room. Time ticked by, dragging its feet. Taking a sip of his beverage, Lennox gathered his bountiful thoughts. There was a lot to say, but they hadn’t communicated much since they’d arrived at her apartment. Truth be told, words weren’t always needed to have a full conversation.
“I thought about you often.” She broke the silence like a tiny crack in a block of ice, still looking down at her feet as if understanding his reticence loud and clear. She’s a runner… Feet walk away.
“Then why did you leave from here and never talk to me again? I called you several times before I finally took the hint.” He brought the glass to his lips.
She slowly released her feet and turned to face him, her eyes flashing like gleaming volcanic rock.
“Because you were my greatest distraction.”
He took a slow sip from his drink and set it down.
“From what? School?” he asked, clasping his hands.
“From life. Tonight, you want me to be honest, right? We’re just going to be frank? Let it all out?”
He shrugged. “Why would I make all of this effort to have a phony conversation? I can be lied to without all the effort. Besides, I know of no other way to be. What it do?”
Her lips crimped in a tilted smirk. “I’ll keep it one hundred with you, Len,” he hadn’t been called Len in years. “I had feelings for you that a friend shouldn’t have for another friend. Things got uncomfortable. That’s it. That’s all.”
“Don’t. Just don’t.” He waved her off and picked up his drink from the table, taking a meager taste. Held the alcohol in his mouth for a moment, dragging out the flavor.
“Don’t what? Tell you the truth? You said you were ready, willing and able for that fried and piping hot honesty platter with three sides of certainty.” The fringe of her lashes cast shadows onto her high cheekbones.
“You can serve me whatever as long as you don’t sugarcoat what really went down. I’m hungry for answers, but not starvin’. Not any ol’ bone tossed my way will do. Don’t play games. You know what I’m talking about.”
“I’m not playing games. I’m being for real. I didn’t want our relationship ruined, Lennox, and yeah, I also needed to concentrate on my classes instead of being boy crazy—well, young man crazy.” She rolled her eyes dramatically. “But I didn’t even know what I was feeling completely at that time. It was new to me, that whole catchin’ feelings for a friend. It felt wrong. And before you say it, I had no idea you liked me, too. I didn’t know what to do. It was a mess.”
“My issue is, we could’ve remained friends. People have crushes on their friends all the time, but don’t act on it. I felt like I lost a friend. A real good one.”