Desire In A Kiss

Ray’s smile nearly split his face at the mention of his girlfriend’s name. “Brynn’s good. I just left her.”

“I still can’t believe you two met online. I’ve always been skeptical of that.” Chris shrugged, reaching for a notepad.

“Me too, man,” Kent agreed.

“I was too, until I found Brynn. I can’t believe our paths never crossed before—especially after discovering that we knew so many of the same people. I keep telling you guys to give this online thing a try.”

“Maybe I should!” Chris said jokingly. “Do you think it would stop my mother from trying to hook me up with her friends’ daughters?”

“Dates chosen by mothers never work out well.” Kent chuckled.

“Try it. What can it hurt?” Ray asked.

“It’s just not for me.” Chris sucked air through his teeth.

“Sounds to me like regular dating isn’t working out so well either.”

“Very funny, Ray!”

“He’s got a point, Chris. We’re the ones who are still single.”

“By choice,” Chris said pointedly, with a lifted index finger.

“Exactly! That’s because you’ve already dated most of the women you know, player!” Kent howled. “Save some for the rest of us, man.”

Laughing, Kent offered Ray a high five.

“I can’t help it if I’m in demand.” Chris gave his collar a smug tug.

Kent and Ray looked at each other and burst into laughter once again. Chris couldn’t help but join them. The irony was evident. As eligible a bachelor as he was, his options were narrowing.

“You may have a point, Ray. Maybe it’s time for Chris and me to look outside our usual circles. This can be a way to meet new women. It’s not as creepy as it used to be. Some pretty decent relationships started online—like yours.”

“See? It’s not so bad, Chris. Brynn isn’t crazy at all.” Ray’s comment generated another round of laughs.

“Trina said Eclipse magazine called. The editor wants to set up an interview.” Chris was happy to change the subject. He had too many reservations about this online thing, and he also had a reputation—no, a legacy—to protect.

What would a Chandler look like, searching for a mate online? He didn’t express his thoughts aloud in order not to offend Ray. Chris, Ray and Kent had been close friends since high school. Finding beautiful women to date had never been an issue for any of them, so when Ray said that he was trying the online thing, Chris and Kent were shocked. They teased Ray through the entire process but shut their mouths when he introduced them to Brynn. Not only was she beautiful but also grounded, intelligent and apparently completely sane. Kent asked if she had a sister, cousin or mother that he could date. After that, Kent was open to online dating, but Chris still had his reservations.

Chris joined the others in swiping through the calendars on their phones.

“I can do next Wednesday.” Kent spoke first. “What time do they want to interview us?”

“Do they want us to come to their offices in the city, or will they come here? That will help me figure out what’s best. My calendar is looking a little crazy right now.” Ray shook his head. “But I’ll be in the city already on Wednesday so, if they want us to meet there, that might work.”

“I’ll have Trina call and ask. Should we leave Wednesday open either way? Does that work for you?” Chris directed his question toward Ray. His phone was cupped in his hand with his thumb hovering over the screen. Ray nodded. “Cool,” Chris continued. “We can let Trina know at the meeting.”

“So, fellas. We have a big night coming up tonight, huh?” Ray clapped his hands and rubbed them back and forth.

“Yes, we do!” Chris agreed. “This place is going to be packed. Alfonzo Blackwell is a huge draw.”

“How’d you get him again, Chris?” Kent asked.

“He’s an old friend of Jewel’s. She called in a favor.” Chris turned to Ray. “Brynn joining us tonight?”

“For sure! She wouldn’t miss a chance to see Blackwell play.”

There was that gleam again. Whenever Brynn’s name flitted into the atmosphere, Ray appeared lighter—his smile instinctual as if it generated from somewhere well beyond his lips. Chris wondered what that felt like. He thought he had come close in grad school. He figured he had loved Danielle but couldn’t recall feeling what Ray seemed to feel, which appeared to transcend emotions and come alive in their very presence.

“You really like this girl.” With his head tilted, Chris said those words as if the weight of them had just landed on him. His friend was in love.

Ray sat back in his chair, smiled and exhaled as if the air he released carried away every problem. “I think she’s the one.”

Chris’s and Kent’s mouths fell open. They looked at one another and then at Ray.

“Whoa!” Kent held his hands up. “You think so, man?”

An assured nod.

With hands in the air, Chris made a few attempts to speak, closed his mouth and shrugged. His hands fell to his side with a slap. “What can I say? I’m happy for you, man. I have to admit, happiness looks good on you.”

“Thanks! One down and two to go.” Ray raised his brow.

Kent held up a palm. “Hey! Don’t speak so fast. I’m still having fun.”

Chris laughed with them but stayed mute. He liked what he saw in Ray, and a part of him wanted to know what that felt like. He just wasn’t sure if he’d find it online.

Chapter 3 (#u89e3b525-76d0-54fb-b187-5b30021c0034)

Serenity took the dress the attendant handed to her and looked it over. She’d lost the weight but wondered how the dress would actually fit. Peeking at the size, she heard the woman say, “Don’t be concerned about that. European sizing is quite different.”

That gave her small comfort. The number on the tag was what she wore after losing her first twenty pounds.

“Try it on. I can’t wait to see it on you!” Rayne nudged Serenity toward the fitting room. “And you try on this one, Elisa.” Their friend took the second dress and nodded her approval. “We’ll see which one looks best, and the two of you can choose.”

“Let’s do this!” Elisa lifted her eyebrows at Serenity.

“Let’s do it!”

Serenity stepped into the narrow box of a room and closed the door. Leaning against the wall, she took a deep breath. She’d lost a total of forty pounds so far, and trying on clothes was still a chore because of her curves. People told her all the time how amazing she looked. She received their compliments graciously, but their enthusiasm made her wonder what they were really saying about how she looked before. Her confidence had never been tied to her dress size. But now people treated her differently, especially men, and she wasn’t sure she liked that. Inside she was exactly the same person.

Slipping into the dress, Serenity appreciated how the inside layer, with its comfortable elasticity, glided over her curves, yet also fit her waist. The top layer was the same champagne hue but made of lace. The dress settled just off her shoulders, and at the bottom a slight train caressed the floor behind her as she moved. Twisting side to side in the mirror, Serenity smiled, taking a calm breath. It was a good fit. Maybe she didn’t need to lose those last ten pounds. Her and her mother’s new lifestyle had already proven beneficial to their health and their shapes.

Stepping out of the fitting room, Serenity was met with gasps from her friends and strangers.

“Oh my goodness!” Both of Rayne’s hands covered her mouth. “You look absolutely gorgeous.”

Elisa stepped out of her fitting room with the champagne halter dress that Rayne had handed to her. “We’re wearing that dress.” She pointed to Serenity. “Turn around, girl.” She took Serenity by the hand, and led her in a ballerina twirl. “This is it, Rayne. What do you think?”