I Choose You by Lopez, Bethany (best fiction novels to read .txt) š
Book online Ā«I Choose You by Lopez, Bethany (best fiction novels to read .txt) šĀ». Author Lopez, Bethany
He tried not to stare at the opulence of her parentās home, but he couldnāt help but be impressed.
He heard the high pitched tone of what he assumed was Nicoleās motherās voice as she spoke with Nicoleās father.
āShe brought a date?ā The shrill voice asked in a hushed tone.
Great, Kent thought when he heard her motherās question, then he turned to Nicole who was looking at him sadly.
āDid you say something about a drink?ā He asked under his breath as they entered the room.
āDarling,ā Nicoleās mother cooed as she glided towards her daughter, arms stretched open wide.
Kent could tell that she had probably been nearly as beautiful as Nicole when she was younger, but sheād had so much work done to her face, she could no longer hold a candle to her daughterās fresh beauty.
And she resented it.
He knew by the way she looked Nicole over with hard eyes, before going in for air kisses, that Nicoleās mother resented her daughterās effortless beauty.
He hated her on sight.
When she was finished putting on a show for her own benefit, she turned to Kent with a fake smile.
āAnd just who is this handsome gentleman?ā
Nicole smiled at Kent as she spoke to her mother, as if trying to soften the sharpness of her motherās tone.
āThis is Kent, Momma. My boyfriend.ā
Kent took the hand her mother offered and brought it to his lips, obligingly.
āItās nice to meet you, Maāam.ā
āPsht. Maāam? Please, call me Kitty.ā She drawled softly, her hard eyes never stopping their appraisal of him.
āItās nice to meet you, Kitty,ā He amended, thinking it was a ridiculous name for a ridiculous woman.
āSo, Kent, how did you meet our little Nicky? Are you from Dallas? Do I know your family?ā
Kent realized the interrogation had begun, and gratefully accepted the drink that Gordon offered him.
āI met Nicole at her work. No and no.ā He replied pointedly, hoping Kitty would get the hint and leave him alone for a moment.
No such luck.
Kitty pulled back a bit, affronted by his abrupt tone. Kent could tell he wasnāt gaining any points, but he couldnāt bring himself to kiss her ass.
āWhere are you from?ā Kitty asked, taking a glass of wine from her husband without so much as a smile of acknowledgement.
āDetroit.ā
Kitty wrinkled her nose slightly, as if she had just smelled something rotten, and was just about to speak, when she was distracted by a movement by the door.
āJake,ā Kitty practically purred as she turned to greet her new guest, leaving Kent without a word.
Kent turned to see the man that Nicole had been engaged to, and was less than thrilled to see a very good-looking, obviously well-off, young man.
He sipped his drink and watched Kitty fawn over Jake, who didnāt seem to mind in the slightest. He felt Nicoleās arm wrap around his waist and she leaned in to whisper to him.
āDonāt mind her, she doesnāt mean anything,ā She followed his gaze to the door, and he felt her arm stiffen.
āYou okay,ā He asked, wondering if she stiffened because it was awkward to see Jake again, or if she felt something for him.
This party was already making him crazy.
āYeah,ā Nicole replied softly. āI mean, I figured heād be here, but itās weird seeing him again.ā
She pulled away slightly when Jake walked toward them, and Kent felt the separation instantly. He wondered why heād ever agreed to come; it was obvious that he didnāt belong here.
āNicole,ā the shorter man said softly as he approached. He pushed his hand nervously through his light brown hair, and Kent got a whiff of his expensive cologne. Kent knew the brand, it was one of his favorites, but he would bet that Jake had never scrimped and saved to buy that cologne.
He watched as they kissed each other in greeting. No air kisses this time, he noticed. No, they were actual kisses.
He walked over to pour himself another drink and heard Nicole ask Jake how heād been.
He looked out the window and paused, his drink frozen inches from his lips.
Their backyard extended further than the eye could see. The lawn was manicured and perfectly green. The trees were lush and full, and there was a large sparkling pool with a large patio surrounding it, and what looked like a pool house.
The pool house was larger than the house he grew up in, the house his parents still lived in.
Kent shook his head slightly and took a long drink.
āKent,ā Nicole put a hand on his back to get his attention. He turned to see her standing behind him with Jake. āThis is Jake.ā
Kent couldnāt stop himself from stretching to his full height, making him practically tower over Jake.
Jake offered his hand and said, āItās nice to meet you.ā
Kent looked at him for a moment, before accepting his hand and shaking it. āYou too, man.ā
He hated to admit it, but Jake actually seemed pretty cool. He couldnāt fault the guy for loving Nicole, she was pretty amazing.
Nicole smiled up at him, her gratefulness apparent, then she turned slightly at the sound of the doorbell.
āIām going to go help my mother greet the arriving guests. Iāll be back as soon as I can.ā She tiptoed up to kiss him on the cheek, before turning to go to her mother, who was standing at the threshold, watching them with evident displeasure.
āIs she always in such a party mood?ā Kent asked wryly as he accepted another drink from a waitress who had started circling the room with a tray.
āWho, Kitty?ā Jake asked with a grin. āYou get used to herā¦ eventually.ā
Kent just lifted his eyebrow questioningly and looked around the suddenly full
Comments (0)