I Choose You by Lopez, Bethany (best fiction novels to read .txt) 📗

great idea. And, I know an amazing dancer that could help you with classes, but she may be a hard sell.” Kent said with a chuckle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Nineteen

 

              The girls surrounded Nicole on the living room floor. They had blankets, throw pillows, and a pitcher of margaritas.

              “Okay,” Briana began, as she lifted her margarita to her lips and brushed her freshly cut bangs from her forehead. Her long chestnut hair was pulled back in a ponytail and the bangs framed her pretty face. “Tell us exactly what happened at the party.”

              The other girls nodded their encouragement to Nicole, who sat cross-legged in her yoga pants and an oversized sweatshirt.

              “Well, it was okay in the beginning. My dad wasn’t bad, but as soon as Kent met my mother, things started to go downhill. It’s funny; I forgot what a snob she can be. I guess I’ve been away from her for a while. Anyway, I could tell right away that they didn’t like each other,” She paused to take a deep drink.

              “Why do you say that?” Kara asked as she turned over to lie on her stomach, “Kent’s a pretty likeable guy. I’d think he’d be a parent’s wet dream!”

              Nicole giggled at that, the tequila slowly starting to take effect.

              “Not my mom, her idea of a suitable guy is someone exactly like Jake. From an upstanding Dallas family, with deep roots in the church, and someone who thinks social status is important.”

              “Well…that’s definitely not Kent,” Roni said with a snort.

              “No,” Nicole agreed with a small smile. “Kent is so much better than that.”

              “What happened to make him leave?” Briana asked softly, laying her hand on Nicole’s arm.

              “My mom was rude to him from the get go, and once her friends arrived, she ignored him all together. He overheard her gossiping about someone from the parish who’d been arrested for domestic violence, and he just walked out. When I followed him outside, he told me some stuff about his childhood,” Nicole looked over at Roni, her compassion apparent in her eyes, then looked down at her glass as her eyes began to fill. “He said that we were too different, that we’d never work out, and he thought it was better to walk away now than drag it out.”

              Roni’s arms came around her as the tears began to spill down her cheeks.

              “My brother can be such an idiot.”

              “It sounds like he’s just scared,” Kara said quietly.

              “What do you mean?” Nicole asked with a sniffle.

              “We all know that Kent’s the best. He’s built himself into the sexy metro-sexual that he’s today. He’s a total sweetheart, and you can’t deny that he’s a wonderful brother to Roni. But…”

              “But what?” Nicole asked as she sat up straighter and wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand.

              “He’s never been in a serious relationship,” Roni answered. “Bree was the closest he ever got, and you see how that turned out.” She looked over at Briana and said sadly, “Sorry.”

              “It’s okay,” Briana replied.

              “We didn’t have a good example of marriage, or love, growing up. Kent doesn’t want to end up in a terrible situation like that, which would never happen, because Kent is the complete opposite of our father. But, because of them, he’s never allowed himself to really trust a woman with his heart. He’s afraid of being hurt and of not being the man that he wants to be.”

              Kara got up to grab the pitcher and poured them each another round. “Kent doesn’t realize what a catch he is.”

              “He said that I deserved better than him. Nicole admitted.

              Briana shook her head sadly. “You’re going to have to tell him that he’s the one you want.”

              “I tried, and he just walked away and left me there. What if I put myself out there and he still says no?”

              “Do you love him?” Kara asked softly.

              “Yes,” Nicole smiled through the tears and nodded emphatically. “So much. I never thought I’d feel this way about anyone. He’s the most amazing person I have ever met, and I feel stronger when I’m with him.”

              “Then you’re going to have to take that chance,” Briana said. “You might get your heart broken, but if you don’t try, you’ll never know.”

              “I know he loves you,” Roni encouraged. “He’s buying the paper. He’s putting down roots here, and I know you’re a big reason for that.”

              “He’s buying the paper?” Nicole asked with wide eyes. “He’s going to stay?”

              Roni grinned at her, “Yes. I know he’s stubborn and can be a total block head, but you’re just going to have to make him see that you love him and you’re not letting him get away that easily. Fight for him, Nic. I promise he’s worth it.”

              Roni’s eyes began to fill and Nicole leaned over to give her a big hug.

              “I know he is. I love you,” Nicole told the other girl as she pulled back. She looked around her living room at Roni, Briana, and Kara and her heart felt fuller than ever. “I love you all so much. You are the family that I always wanted.”

              “Awww,” Briana said her emotion evident on her face. “I love you too.”

              “I’ll drink to that,” Kara exclaimed loudly. She lifted her glass and realized it was empty. “Time to make another pitcher. Let’s fill up and figure out how we’re going to help Nicole land her man.”

              They all laughed and stood up. They made their way to the kitchen to blend margaritas.

              “I think we’ll have to get you in a sexy costume for the Halloween party,” Briana said with a wicked grin.

              “Yes!” Roni agreed. Her face lit up as an idea began to form. “How about a sexy angel? Kent wants to put you on a pedestal and thinks that you’re too good for him. Let’s play with that.”

              “An angel?” Nicole asked