“What are you doing, Kade?” I ask, evading his question.
“I’m contemplating whether this is the right time to take what I want, or if I should wait a little longer,” he mumbles, his eyes still on my lips. Slow as ever, he leans forward and presses three gentle, sweet, innocent kisses on my lips. “I think you need a little more time, Nikki, but soon,” he promises. I get a tender kiss on the forehead before he walks out of the room, leaving me wide eyed and speechless. I’m still standing there moments later, looking at the spot where he left. I’d bet my life right now, that if he stayed here and tried something, I would have given in. I want him, and I want him bad, I just don’t know if I can.
******
The next day, Kade, James, and I walk into Chase’s apartment. After arguing for half an hour on whose car to take, we finally agreed on Kade’s Hummer. Layla is in the kitchen, cooking a feast by the looks of things.
“Smells good, Layla,” I tell her, and it does. It so does.
“Layla!” Kade yells, walking towards her and giving her a tight hug. “Come home, please. I haven’t eaten since you left! Nikki only cooks for herself,” he complains, putting his hand on his heart dramatically, giving me a dirty look at the same time.
“I dropped you off food last week, Kade!” Layla says in a mock angry voice. She looks stunning, apparently the pregnancy glow is true.
“Whose favorite are we having today?” Kade asks, snooping through the pots and pans. Every week at Layla’s for dinner, we all take turns in getting our favorite meal. Last week was James; he had his steaks, potatoes, and salad. I know from the smell of the food that tonight is my favorite meal, fried chicken rice.
“It’s my turn, Kade!” I brag. Kade frowns at me.
“Princess! It hasn’t been my turn in ages! I’m gonna show everyone the video of you dancing to One Direction again!” he threatens.
Layla gapes. Kade pulls out his phone and starts playing it. I’ve seen it about ten times, but it never gets old. Kade and I burst out laughing. After Layla kicks both of us out of the kitchen, threatening to sic Chase on us, we both sit outside on their balcony, drinking a beer.
“I’ll never get sick of this view,” I say, wistfully.
Kade chuckles, “You want a place like this? Consider it done,” he says simply.
I choke on my beer. He says random stuff like that all the time and it puts me completely off balance. We all sit at the dinner table and eat together, like a family. Dessert is chocolate cheesecake and ice cream sundaes. Chase is feeding Layla the ice cream and they're both in their own world. Kade is watching me silently with a thoughtful look on his face. Layla gets up to go to the bathroom. She says she has to pee every five minutes.
“Isn’t she perfect?” Chase muses aloud.
“She sure is, and I’ve seen her half naked,” Kade says casually, shoveling ice cream into his mouth.
“I’m sorry, what?” Chase says in a deadly tone. I bite my lip. Kade is such a shit stirrer. I kick him under the table.
“Ouch! What was that for?” James growls. Oops. I try again.
“Nikki, what the f**k?” Chase complains.
Oh, come on. Third time’s the charm right? I kick harder, knowing it hits my target when Kade grunts. Layla walks back in and I see the evil grin Kade gives her. Layla narrows her eyes on him suspiciously. Those two! Layla never had a brother, and Kade never had a sister. These two are making up for all their lost years. Chase is silently fuming, staring daggers at Kade.
“Okay, time to go!” I say, standing up. I help Layla clean up quickly.
“What did Kade tell Chase?” Layla whispers.
“He saw you half naked,” I whisper back. She sighs in relief. “Is that all?”
“What else is there?” I gape. Layla blushes. “Come on, Layla!” I beg.
“Nikki, let’s go!” Kade calls out.
Layla grins, knowing she got lucky. Layla and Chase walk us to our car, and Layla hands Kade a container filled with baked goods.
“Happy eating, Kade,” she says in an overly friendly voice. Kade narrows his eyes on her in suspicion.
“What did you do to them?” Layla shrugs nonchalantly, giving him an evil grin. I hug Layla and jump in the car.
Just before we pull out Kade yells out the window, “Did you know the first penis Layla ever saw was mine? And she was impressed!” With that parting comment, he drives off, leaving a murderous looking Chase standing in the driveway.
Sometimes I’m happy I’m an only child.
******
Kade is sitting at the breakfast bar staring intently at something on the table. I walk over to see what all the fuss is over. I giggle when I see Layla’s cupcakes.
“She wouldn’t actually do something to them, would she?” he asks me, raising an eyebrow.
I shrug, trying to hide my grin, and failing.
“Come on, Nikki, she’s your best friend. You know how her mind works,” he complains.
I know Layla wouldn’t have done anything to them; she just wanted to mess with Kade’s mind. Which is obviously working.
“I don’t think she would, Kade. I mean they were already made before we came over. Unless she sprinkled salt or something on them,” I say through bouts of giggles.
Kade hesitantly picks up a vanilla frosted cupcake and examines it. I see his pink tongue flick out as he licks the top. He instantly groans. “I don’t even care if she did anything because they taste like heaven,” he moans, taking a huge bite. The frosting on his lips looks particularly delicious. I clear my throat and step back.