"I think I like the red one." Nicole said as Gayle modeled another dress for her.
"Why the red one; I like this one better."
"Because Patrick likes red on you. I do remember some things about him." Nicole shrugged.
"I'm not picking this dress because he likes it. This is not for Patrick."
"Well, then I'm confused. What's it for if not for Patrick? I mean he is the one that invited you to this little party."
"It's a business affair, Nicole. I am going only to help promote the hotel and possibly to get more clients."
"Can't we just agree that a little of this is because of Patrick. I mean, I never really understood why you guys broke up. I liked Patrick."
Gayle took a deep breath ready to tell Nicole the real story about her hero Patrick. The moment she turned around ready to tell her, she stopped instantly. She saw that hopeful look in her eyes. The bright eye look of there is still hope out there and everything will be alright. She couldn't possibly just crush on those thoughts. Hell, she already did so much damage to her sisters.
"I know you liked him, but we just had to move on. It wasn't our time."
"What if this was you guys time? What if he came back realizing how much of a mistake he made and wants you back? It's so romantic." Nicole smiled.
Gayle laughed, sitting down next to her, "And what makes you so pro love?"
Nicole just shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know. I just always believed in it. I mean I'm surrounded by it now with Jade and James, Dominique and Nik, and let's not forget Katrina and Scott. I mean I have the whole school thing covered, I might as well devote part of my energy to something else."
"That sounds like there is someone out there that has caught your eye little sister." Gayle nudged and Nicole just laughed.
"I mean, I like someone, but there are some things I'm not sure about."
"Ooh, I have been waiting on this moment; come on dish." Gayle said turning her body towards her.
"There is nothing really to dish. It's just one of those moments where I think he is really cool, but I don't think he knows I exist or worst, I could be heading into that category of he sees me as a little sister or thinks we can be good friends."
"Oh, the category of death." Gayle laughed along with her.
"Exactly, so I'm kind of at a weird moment. I want to talk to him but I keep waiting on him to make the first move and other guys on campus are asking me out."
"Well honestly, if this guy isn't making any moves at all, I say go for dating the other guys."
"How did I know you were going to say that?"
"I mean, knowing you, there is no telling how long you have waited for this guy to make a move and you are going into your junior year of college. Come on little sister; don't wait so long on one guy. At least have a little fun and then he can realize how much he wants you and then he will get you."
"Is that what you are supposed to do?" Nicole said scrunching up her eyebrows.
"Oh, that's right I'm dealing with a novice. Sometimes that's how you do it to get the man you want."
"But I don't want to get him by playing games. I want to be completely honest with him."
"It's being honest. I'm not saying openly lie about a guy, just take up your time doing other things and having fun. That way, you don't spend so much of it thinking about him." Nicole nodded.
"I guess I see where you are going with this. My roommate has been dying to take me out to the club to meet guys."
"Yes, just don't come back with any drunken club stories. I don't think mama will be able to handle that."
"I will watch it." Nicole chuckled, "Okay, so about this dress you plan on wearing, maybe not red because it is a business affair but I like the other black dress; the one that looks like a tuxedo jacket."
"Oh really?"
"Yea, it says I'm sexy but long enough to say I'm strong, sophisticated, and still a business woman."
Gayle laughed, "Alright, nice choice and what will you be doing?"
"I think I'm going to take my roommate up on her offer and go out with her."
"Good job, now have fun and don't over think anything." Gayle smiled as Nicole grabbed her book bag, "You want me to drive you back to the dorm?"
"If you could please."
Gayle went ahead and sat everything that she was going to wear out before driving Nicole back to her dorm. She couldn't believe that her mousy little sister was ready to not only go out but date guys. She knew this day would come, but she just didn't know it would be so soon. Nicole never really knew what to do about boys so for her to be ready to date and mingle was huge. Even though, she tried to keep her mind on positive things, she couldn't help but to think about what James said earlier. Patrick was hiding something? The thought of him hiding something like this from her disturbed her greatly. They have always been so honest and upfront with each other. She wasn't going to lie to herself; she always thought something about the way Patrick ended everything didn't feel right. He never used those types of words when he talked to her, everything that Patrick said to her was gentle, sweet, and said with so much love. No, why was her mind doing this? She can't think about this. They broke up and haven't seen each other in almost 10 years. 10 years that she already ran through every possible scenario of why he said what he said. She will not go back to doing that.
She got ready for the party, deciding on the dress that Nicole picked out. She found herself checking herself out several times in the mirror. She wanted to make sure that everything was perfect and not a hair out of place. Not that it was for him or anything, she thought to herself before she grabbed her clutch and went out the door. She pulled out her phone taking a deep breath before calling him.
"Hello Abigail." She heard him say as soon as he answered the phone, his tone swirling all through her body.
She cleared her throat, trying to shake it off, "Mr. Adlam, I was calling to let you know that I was heading towards the party. Where should I meet you?"
"I'm already here, so I can meet you up front. Valet can take care of parking your car just pull around front."
"Fine, thank you."
"You are very welcome. Don't forget to bring that smile. The men around here would love to see that and you will get a lot more attention."
"Goodbye Mr. Adlam." She quickly said hanging up, feeling him smile through the phone.
He was always a cocky son of a bitch. Unfortunately, that was one of the things that she liked about him. He had this air of confidence of any situation no matter what. She remembered times when he would tell her about being worried about school, but then the very next day his confidence was back. He will conquer whatever it was he was worried about without any problems. It annoyed her sometimes only because she wished she had that. He was so encouraging and said he always knew the right thing to say. It was him that gave her the idea of becoming an interior decorator. Around her second half of the third year semester, once she settled on what she was going to major in, she wasn't sure what she was going to do with it. The market was so strenuous and she didn't think she will be able to make it on her own. She remembered when he surprised her on her way to her dorm room. It was exactly what she needed at the time.
She was coming back from marketing class, tired and exhausted. Everything was frustrating to her. She knew she loved decorating, but the person that she said she was going to intern with told her how it can be hard if she didn't have any good clients, especially as a beginner. For someone that she was suppose to shadow and encourage her to do the business, the guy wasn't doing a very good job. It was almost like he was purposely telling her to try something else. She just wanted to lie down, relax, and possibly call Patrick if she could. She opened the door and dropped her bag on the floor.
"Honey, I'm home." she said calling out for Tara.
"I think that's suppose to be my line." She jumped at the familiar voice behind her.
She turned around to see Patrick standing by the door, shutting it. Her heart leaped seeing his smiling face and gorgeous green eyes sparkling at her.
"Rick!" she shouted jumping into his awaiting arms.
