Lucy laughed. “I’m not sure men do a lot of thinking about their relationships.”
“That’s not true,” Yancy disagreed. “Charles seems very interested in our future. He’s even brought it up a couple of times. I’m sure Chris is the same.”
“No, he just makes statements and expects me to obey. I have to keep reminding him that he isn’t my boss anymore and that he can’t order me around,” Lucy replied, rolling her eyes.
“How’s that working for you?” Chelsea teased.
“It’s not.” Lucy’s eyes took on a sly glint. “Although he’s allowed to be as bossy as he wants in the bedroom.”
Everyone laughed. As the giggles died down, I stated, “But that’s just it. After Milton’s party last weekend, Jordan hasn’t done more than kiss me. We’ve gone out almost every night then he brings me home and leaves. It’s like last Friday night never happened!”
“What kind of kissing are we talking about here?” Lucy asked. “Just a peck or full-on make-out session?”
“I’m surprised my underwear doesn’t self-combust,” I answered.
She grinned. “That sounds promising.”
“It is, but he doesn’t seem interested in taking it further. I mean, it was hot at first, building the anticipation and everything, but after a week of that, I’m frustrated as hell.”
“I’ll bet,” Chelsea muttered, wearing a shit-eating grin.
“Do you think it means he isn’t interested in having sex with me?” I asked, hating the insecurity in my voice.
Grier spoke up for the first time since the conversation began. “No way. He wants you. I think that he’s trying to give you what you asked for, a relationship based on more than sex.”
“Considering we had sex last week, that’s a bit like closing the barn door after the horse is already out,” I joked.
“Yes, but you didn’t tell him what you wanted until after that night. How many nights did y’all go out this week?” Grier asked.
“Every night except Thursday.”
She smiled, her blue eyes twinkling. When she grinned like that, she looked like a mischievous teenager rather than a twenty-five-year-old woman. If I didn’t love her, it would annoy me. “See? He’s courting you.”
“Courting?” Chelsea repeated. “Is this the nineteenth century?”
“I think it’s sweet,” Yancy interrupted. “It’s nice when a man takes the time to romance you.”
I had to laugh at the dreamy expression on her face. Charles definitely worked hard at the romance angle, and not because Yancy expected him to. That was just the kind of man he was. He’d taken her to The French Room at the Adolphus Hotel for their first date, which would definitely be considered pulling out all the stops in the romancing department.
“I’d like a guy that just shows up on time, calls when he says he will, and who’ll give me a neck rub without expecting sex in return,” Chelsea stated just as the waiter returned to the table with our drinks.
He cleared his throat just behind her as he began passing out the drinks. When he was done, Chelsea turned to him and said, “Is that too much to ask?”
He grinned at her and shook his head. “Not at all.” Looking around the table, he asked, “Are you all ready to order or do you need more time?”
Since we hadn’t even cracked our menus, he said he would return shortly.
“Let’s figure out what we want to eat before we continue this conversation,” I stated. “I’m starving.”
A few minutes later, our order was placed and I realized that I was no longer anxious about discussing my love life with my friends. After years of listening to them talk about their boyfriends, dates, and dry spells, they were eager to return the favor.
“So I take it you’re ready to take things to the next level?” Lucy asked after the waiter walked away.
I nodded. “I’m just not sure what to do. I’ve never had to, well, initiate before. At least not like this.”
“Well, I think you should seduce him,” Chelsea chimed in. “Sexy dress, lingerie, the whole enchilada. Make it so he can’t resist you.”
Lucy and Yancy nodded their agreement.
