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The memories of sitting on the mauve chairs that were more brownish from years of wear and laughing and crying as we watched all the insanity play out, feels just like yesterday.
“Sounds like you guys have great memories together. Has she always been the wild and carefree angel she is now?” he asks.
It’s cute that he calls her an angel, I’m willing to bet he picked it up from Nik and doesn’t even realize he’s doing it.
“Oh yeah. Her first side hustle in college was selling toys for one of those mid-level marketing companies. She was convinced that women needed to be able to pleasure their bodies before jumping in the sack with a man, so she could tell them what they want and need.”
Xan lets out a laugh and it floats along the whispers of wind that are settling over us. “She’s not wrong in that. All women should know what they like and what they want both in a relationship and in the bedroom.”
I roll to the side and stare at him. He seems lighter than he has since I arrived—less demanding and grumpy. As though he’s living life and not just surviving or walking along in a fog.
“What about you? How did you meet Nik?” It’s his turn to answer some questions.
“Technically, I met Nik’s little sister first. Her name is Lexa and she was best friends with my little sister London. Since London is so much younger than me, I didn’t spend much time with her. When I was in college she called me and told me that she and Lexa needed help figuring out how to let a guy know that they were interested.
“When I came home the next time we sat outside at the firepit, the girls peppered me with all kinds of questions and blushed the whole time. They could hardly ask me what they wanted because they were giggling so much.”
Watching Xan tell this story, I can see him light up. I know that he loves his family, despite the fact that he doesn’t want them to spend the night at his place.
“They had just asked me how they should act around the boys they liked when Nik came around the back. He was supposed to pick up Lexa but ended up joining me in giving the girls some advice. The big thing that I told them was that they had to be confident in who they were. If they like something, flaunt it and celebrate it. If someone asks them what they want to eat, tell them. It really is as simple as that. Being true to who you are, sets off a specific vibe that others are attracted to.”
He pulls himself to a sitting position and offers me his hand to help me sit up. Then he opens the picnic basket and pulls out a bottle of wine for us to share, pouring us each a glass and hands one to me.
“All you told them was to be who they are?” I scrunch my eyebrows, because I can’t imagine that teenagers accepted that with no questions. “What did Nik tell them?”
He takes a drink and then sits his glass down. “Nik told them that men don’t like women who have no opinions or backbones. That the most attractive women are unapologetically who they are—quirks and all.”
Interesting thought. But my experience is anything but. Men like women who look like Barbies and have about as many brains. They want women who they can have on their arms, but not speak. One of the few holdovers from years gone by.
“I’m going to disagree with Nik, though if it was true, it would be spectacular,” I say and take a long drink of my wine. The heat compiled with my attitude on this topic is getting to be too much for me to bear. “Can we get out of here? I’m going to be lobster if we hang out here much longer and I need some coffee or something to counteract all this wine.”
He finishes his wine and packs up the rest of the things that were out, before helping me up, and shaking out the blanket. “Where do you want to go?” he asks me, reaching for my hand, the electricity shocking me.
My eyes pop open and I inhale quickly, as he brushes his thumb across my cheek. “The sun has brought out your freckles,” he says, and I wonder if it’s just me or if he feels it too.
“How about Brewed Awakening? It’s a fun little coffee shop a couple of blocks over.” If Xan thinks women who ask for what they want are sexy, then I’ll ask for all the things I want. Well, almost all the things.
Chapter 13
Kollyns
LOVE THE LIFE YOU LIVE
Teach Kollyns How to Date Day Eight
Another day, another quest from Xan. Today’s list of things to do includes an appointment at the spa for hair, nails, massage, and a facial. I don’t think I’ve ever done all these things at the same place, much less on the same day. Generally I have my hair cut a couple times a year and pedicures when dressing up for a special occasion.
It’s gray and overcast today, which tends to make me a bit blue. Add on the fact that I’m doing something else out of my wheelhouse and I’m a bit anxious. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure it will be nice to be pampered, I’m just feeling off about the whole thing.
I take a cab to Cloud Breath Spa for a day of healing, or so the pamphlet that Xan left says. I don’t know what the hell a cloud breath is, but who’s to say it won’t be great. Stepping out of the cab, I try to figure out where I’m going, considering the block is full of brownstones.
I walk to the middle of the street and look all around when I notice a cloud in the window of what I thought was someone’s home. Taking the steps one at a time, I push the solid wooden door open when a cool breeze hits me in the face.
Ah, cloud breath must be the cool, damp air that wraps us in a hug when walking in the door. “Good morning, Ms. Parker.”
Seriously, they already know my name and I’ve barely closed the door behind me. “I have an appointment this morning,” I say to the woman all dressed in black from head to toe. I fully expected everyone to wear white like a cloud, but I’m wrong.
“Absolutely. Mr. Lake has asked us to focus on you today, so please don’t hesitate to ask for anything you need. We have you scheduled for the massage first. Then a facial, nails, and your hair last.”
