That wasn't even the worst of it though.
The next guy on the chopping block was a gym rat by the name of Mateo. He gave new meaning to the word gorgeous, but it was made clear to me upon our second date that he was also very gay. He showed up looking more polished than I was, waxed eyebrows and all, and he spent the entire night texting his "homie".
I wasn't one to throw in the towel that easily though. Cuffing season was right around the corner, and I didn't want to be alone for it. I went out with five more guys after that, but all of them came with similar clauses, and eventually I became so frustrated that I gave up on the endeavor all together.
"Nah," I said, deciding to keep it simple. "I mean … they were alright. There just wasn't really a spark with any of them."
"Well were they at least any good in the sack?" Andrea asked.
"It never got that far," I said, avoiding making eye contact with her. Kiana knew that I was saving myself for marriage, but she didn't, and I certainly wasn't about to break it to her in our current setting.
Andrea gave me a look like she wasn't quite buying it, but Kiana rushed to my rescue before she could say anything else. "Well I have some news to share," she said, a coy smile pulling at her lips. "Pretty big news actually...."
I welcomed the change of subject and waited for her to continue, but Andrea was too distracted with scouting out a prime candidate to take to bed that night to show any interest. Ignoring her altogether, Kiana turned her attention solely to me and smiled before proceeding to unleash a cavalcade of details onto me.
"His name's Noel. He's one of the doctor's I'm completing my residency under. At first I didn't think anything would happen between us, but he asked me out for dinner at the end of my first week and we've been dating ever since. I know I only just met him … but I don't know. I really think he might be the one."
Kiana smiled rather bashfully, taking a moment to catch her breath. It was a lovesick look I'd seen on her face at least a dozens times since her freshman year, all for different guy's she swore up and down she'd end up marrying.
"He sounds great," I said with forced enthusiasm, but deep down I was already placing a silent bet with myself as to just how long this guy would last.
"Yeah, we get it," Andrea chided in without looking at us. She almost sounded jealous. "He's great. Absolutely incredible."
Kiana's smile disappeared as soon as the words left her mouth. She fidgeted with one of her Marley twists to keep from going off, but eventually her irritation got the better of her. "What's that supposed to mean?" she challenged, narrowing her eyes. "If you have something to say, why don't you just stop being passive aggressive and say it?"
Andrea wasn't that easily shook though. She laughed in Kiana's face like it was nothing, keeping her eyes glued to a booth full of surfers in the corner of the room. They were the epitome of corny, yet somehow their bronzed flesh and unkempt hair was enough to draw the attention of every basic bitch in the room. Aside from Andrea that is. Kiana let me know she really only behaved this way when she was drunk.
"Whatever," Kiana said, waving her off. She turned her attention back to me and spoke frankly. "I really want this to work out. He's perfect."
I was quiet as I listened to her gush. Regardless of how adamant she was that this guy was the one, they were always perfect, and she always wanted it to work out with them. She lived with her head in the clouds and was about as far from rational as they came, but there really wasn't any use in telling her that. Hopeless romantics rarely ever changed, which was good in a way, because the world wouldn't have felt quite the same without them.
~ CHAPTER TWO ~
Kiana wouldn't stop staring at Andrea. She'd made herself at home in some bored looking surfer's lap, and his palm had long since disappeared beneath her dress. It was a display that reeked of desperation, and yet, like a car accident, neither one us could look away.
"She can be so messy sometimes," Kiana said, watching as Andrea allowed herself to be pulled out onto the center of the dance floor. Her movements were clumsy and disoriented, and all the men back at the booth she'd just abandoned made no attempt to hide their amusement.
"She's fine though," Kiana said, sounding as though she was trying to convince herself more than me. "She's been like this ever since her break up. It's nothing new."
I nodded, following her gaze over to a guy nursing a drink up at the bar. He looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn't quite make out his face in the darkness. I could, however, make out the fact that he had the stature of a Greek God. He had to be at least 6'2, if not taller, and his body looked as though it was sculpted out of pure marble. "Yeah, he's alright," I said when Kiana commented on how fine he was. "But what about that Noel guy?"
"Noel?" Kiana gave me a perplexed look, but it didn't take long for it to click. "I don't mean for me! I mean for you, you big goof!"
"Me?" I snorted, glancing up at the bar to get another look at the guy. "I don't know," I said, pulling back when I wasn't able to see his face. "He doesn't really seem like my type..."
"Your type?" Kiana laughed like I'd just told her the joke of the century. "What, you mean because he's not black?"
"Of course not," I rushed to respond, feeling all the blood drain from my face. I really hated how well she could read me. "It's just … he's not … "
"Not what?" Kiana cut in. "Clean cut? Boring as all hell?"
I faked a scoff, but deep down I knew she had a point. The guy's I'd dated in the past had been what one would call boring. I just felt most comfortable when I was playing it safe. It hadn't exactly brought me a landmine of success, but at least I never ended my weekends feeling lonely and used.
Kiana continued speaking when I didn't say anything. "You're only young once kid," she said, giving me a light pat on the back. "You might as well enjoy it while it lasts."
"I don't know," I said, shaking around the last of the ice in my glass. "I guess I'd have to get a better look at him."
"Well what are you waiting for?" Kiana asked, nudging me in the side. "Go over and get him to buy you a drink."
When I didn't budge, Kiana lifted my chin so that we were once again eye- to-eye. "Here," she said, reaching for a lone shot and holding it to my mouth. "A little liquid reinforcement never hurt."
I reluctantly swallowed it down, clenching my jaw at the burn. She was right. It took the edge off almost immediately.
"I promise I wouldn't tell you to do it if I didn't think it was a good idea," Kiana said, giving me a reassuring smile. "Besides, he's been checking you out all night."
"Uh-huh."
"He has!" Kiana insisted. "I've caught him looking back here at least three times since we got here. He thinks he's slick, but he's not. Just be yourself. Mom's genetics will do the rest."
I rolled my eyes at that last part, but I couldn't fight the smile that pulled at my lips. "Fine," I agreed, standing up. "So long as you promise not to leave without me."
Kiana held up two fingers in solidarity. "Oh, and one last thing," she said, coming over to grip hold of my chin. I tensed up as she applied a coat of lipstick to my lips, taking her time to get it just right. "Perfect," she said, stepping back to admire her work. "Now go fourth and slay."
Allowing my slight buzz to lead the way, I clawed through a mass of bodies and let out a breath of relief when I finally reached the bar. It was who I saw when I turned to get a look at this mystery guy's face that managed to get my heart racing again.
"Hey sis," Jack said, giving me an amused smile before sliding down the bar so that we were shoulder to shoulder. He laced a strong arm around my back, and I tensed when I felt his breath graze my neck.
"Fancy finding you here."
~ CHAPTER THREE ~
"What?" Jack asked when I wouldn't stop staring at him. "Do I have something on my face?"