I Choose You by Bethany Lopez Page A

rolled her eyes and said, “Please. Rich is the last guy I’d be interested in.”
                  Nicole smiled as the twins bantered back and forth. She finished her food and placed her hand on her stomach to try and calm the nerves there.
                  She took a deep breath and smiled up at Kent through her eyelashes. “You have any plans for the rest of the night?”
                  He looked over at her, a wary expression on his face. “No, why?”
                  She picked her hand up and ran it through her hair, watching him as he tracked her progress. “Well, I haven’t seen your place yet,” She began. “I was hoping to get an invitation.”
                  “You mean just the two of us?” Kent asked, glancing at Roni, who just shook her head at him.
                  “Of course just the two of you, you Dolt,” Roni said in exasperation. “I’m not tagging along to watch the two of you paw at each other.”
                  Nicole couldn’t help but laugh at Kent’s reaction to Roni’s words. It was almost as if he was afraid to be alone with her.
                  She couldn’t help but tease him, “Chicken?”
                  Kent looked down at his plate, then back into Nicole’s eyes. “I can handle it if you can.”
                  Nicole smiled at him, but she couldn’t help but hope that he was right. That they would both be able to handle what she had planned for them that night.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Fourteen
     
                  They dropped Roni off and took the short trip just outside of town to Kent’s house.
                  It was a nice house, well-maintained, with a well-manicured lawn. Nicole took in the large tree in the front yard, the wrap-around porch, and the wooden Adirondack chairs poised around the porch.
                  She loved his house immediately.
                  It had a comfortable, cozy look, and looked like a wonderful place to just be.
                  Kent seemed nervous as they walked up to the front door, which was uncharacteristic of him. She wasn’t sure if he was nervous to show her his house, or nervous to be alone with her, but Nicole couldn’t help but feel a little pleased at his nerves. She hoped it meant that he didn’t think of her as just any girl.
                  Kent unlocked the door, then stepped back to allow her to enter.
                  Nicole was surprised when she walked in, although she probably shouldn’t have been. Kent took care of himself and was always put together well; she should have realized that he would want his living space to be the same way.
                  She loved the fact that it was neat and clean, even though he’d had no idea she was coming over. She loved the muted tones and the leather furniture. It was definitely a male space, but still had a feeling of comfort.
                  She couldn’t stop the sound of pleasure that escaped her when she walked into the kitchen. She ran her hand along the granite countertop and appreciated the glass front cabinets.
                  “It’s really beautiful, Kent.” Nicole looked at him, then pleasure apparent on her face.
                  He smiled down at her. His hand came up and softly caressed her face. “Would you like a glass of wine?”
                  “Sure,” She said, then turned to check out the rest of his house. “You have great taste.”
                  He walked up to her and handed her a glass of red wine, then gestured to the couch.
                  “Would you like to sit down?”
                  Nicole nodded and sank into the comfortable leather couch. She took a sip of wine, then set it on the coaster on the end