The moment I spotted Nicole, she took my breath away. She’s wearing jeans that hug her curves perfectly. I know she’s wearing an off the shoulder top just to drive me crazy. I mean, I did tell her that her shoulders were very sexy after all.
The relief on her face once Lucy runs off is priceless. Moving in close to her, I whisper in her ear, “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
Nicole shakes her head but refuses to look at me. “What’s the matter, sweetheart? Cat got your tongue?”
I can see Nicole swallow hard. I know I’m getting to her. “Meet me in the kitchen so we can talk about it.”
“OK,” she responds in a quiet voice.
With Nicole hot on my trail, I quickly move into the kitchen, walking past Mac. He smirks and shakes his head. I shrug my shoulders because once again I can’t keep away from her.
Thank god we are alone, because I need to kiss her right away. Leaning her up against the counter, I make my move. My lips reach hers in a fevered pace. She responds with just as much passion. “I’ve been waiting too long to do that,” I tell her.
“Me too,” she answers with a breathless voice.
“I’ve missed you. I’ve missed having you in my bed, Nicole. I don’t think I can wait much longer.”
“Me too,” she says again.
This time, Nicole takes charge and kisses me as if her life depends on it. Our tongues tangle, meeting each other. Moving my hands to her bare shoulders, the loud sound of the patio door closing makes us jump apart. No one ever walks in, but it was enough for us to realize we are playing with fire here.
Nicole and I spend the next few hours staring at each other from a distance. Chrissy laughs and tells me to grow a pair. Emily tells me that I should just go take Nicole upstairs to the guest bedroom. Jesus, I wonder what they’ve been telling Nicole.
After lunch and some serious piñata swinging, Lucy is ready for a nap. As we make our rounds to say goodbye, she makes a beeline straight for Miss Russell.
Rubbing her eyes, she tells Nicole that she’s glad that she’s friends with me. This means that Nicole can come to her birthday party. Nicole tries to be noncommittal but can’t help but smile.
As I say goodbye to Nicole, it’s like something has shifted between us. The seriousness of the position we are in seeps in. We aren’t hiding from our parents. We are hiding from my little girl, and that is a guilt that won’t go away.
* * *
It’s been two days since Shane’s birthday party, and luckily, Lucy hasn’t inquired about my friendship with Miss Russell. Needing to shower after a long day at work, I’m a little pissed when my doorbell rings. I’m not expecting anyone. Hoping by chance that it’s Nicole, I’m sadly disappointed when I find Serena on my doorstep.
“We need to talk,” she says as she barrels past me.
“You can’t just barge into my home, Serena. Those days are long gone. Say what you need to say, and then get out.”
“Wow, you are making what I have to say that much easier. Lucy tells me she saw you kissing her teacher at Shane’s birthday party.”
Fuck my life.