Chloe and Nicki went to the restaurant down the street from work. It was about a five-minute drive, so they left Nicki's car, and Chloe drove. They went over the book assignment, which Chloe had actually finished reading last night after her shopping spree. Nicki was impressed.
"I don't know what's going over there with you, but I like it!" He grinned at her, "you look sexier than ever, I mean, you've always been hot, but now it's almost like you found the confidence needed to go with it."
"Um, thanks," Chloe muttered, averting her eyes. She hadn't really thought about it. She was just doing what she wanted for once. She hadn't felt like this since before her mother died when she was young. After that, she was focused on helping out with the house and bills and taking care of her father, and then Jonathon came along. She's been sacrificing for everyone else since she was twelve.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to…"
"No, it's ok. I just realized I've been doing what everyone else wants of me most of my life, and I want to be free from that. I think I married Jon because it seemed like the right way to go, and he was there when I was finally learning to live without my mother. I don't know. It was…easy with him. I know what he wants, and…It's boring, mundane, and no passion. I don't know if I ever was in love with him, really. I feel married but just cohabiting, not really lovers or friends even. I do love him, I think, but I'm starting to think it's not the right kind of love, maybe." She sighed and looked at her hands, "Sorry."
"No, it's ok, Chloe. I may have confessed my love to you yesterday, and I might have been a bit overly excited in my suggestions, but I am always your friend before anything. I love you. I would love to hold you. God, I want so much to taste you, to have my mouth on every inch of you. I want to feel you inside and out so much it hurts sometimes-"
"Nicki…I-" She shifted her pasta around her plate and avoided looking at him. Wow, she never had anyone give such a confession.
"No, Chloe, listen. I want all those things so badly I feel like I'm drowning without. But, even more than that, I want what's best for you. I want to be there for you, to listen to what bothers you and what makes you excited. I want to sit and watch the twinkle in your eye when you're having fun. To see you smile is like a gasp of air after I've been drowning. Your happiness is all that matters. I love you and always will."
Chloe looked up into Nicki's eyes and sat silently staring at them. They were so calm, but beneath the surface was a fire burning, and she felt the heat envelope her entirely. She understood what he said because she now felt as though if she didn't have those things, she would be stuck in a dessert, and heat would overtake her. She'd always loved him, but she never looked past Jon for true love until now, and here it was. Nicki's love was the water she so badly needed in the desert infernal she found herself in.
"I was too busy being Jon's I never realized true love…existed until now." She said as Nicki blinked at her and didn't move. He wasn't even breathing, she thought. "Are you okay?
"Oh…" He shook his head and gulped down his coke. "Sorry, I do believe I am in a bit of shock at the moment. I never imagined…" He paused, unable to say anything else. Everything around them seemed emphasized. At the table next to them sat with three guys in suits, chuckling loudly. A dish in the kitchen dropped, and a couple got up from their chairs, making a short screeching sound as they scooted the chairs back.
"Can we have it all? Can we be happy? I thought I was happy because I was doing what everyone else wanted. But I think what I want now is you." She waited anxiously for his response as an older couple was led to the table behind them the place was starting to fill up. Nicki looked around a bit and came to his senses.
"It's getting crowded here, and there's a lot to discuss with Jon and Veronica and everything. How about you meet me at my house, and we just talk about our options? You can drop me off at work to get my car and head over to my house," Nicki suggested.
"Ok. Yeah, that might be better." She looked around then thought, what if someone saw her at his house? What would they think? She didn't want anyone to get ideas. "What should I do with my car?" Chloe was starting to speak fast and almost whispering. "I mean, won't it look suspicious or something?"
"Just park it in my drive. No one will suspect anything. You come over all the time. We are friends, after all. I'll text Veronica just in case she leaves for a spin class in five minutes, though, and usually goes out afterward for drinks with the Streamline ladies."
"Oh. Ok."
"It would be strange discussing anything with her walking in." He motioned to the waitress for the check.
"Right." Chloe realized they were only going to be talking. Of course, why would they have sex? It's too soon for any of that, they have to decide what to do about everything. Why was she so focused on having sex? It was Kendra's fault. She needed to focus on what was important, figuring out what to do next with their situation.
"Let yourself in. I'll be there about ten minutes after you." With that, he paid for their meal, and she dropped him off at his car. She changed her clothes quickly in the car. She had brought a change of clothes for when she left the office if Jon asked why she had new clothes and complained that they were not to his liking. She drove home before realizing where she was going. She passed her house, heading one block down and half a block over to the small blue ranch with the cute short picket fence where Nicki and Veronica Moulton lived.