Make It Last (Friends & Lovers 1)

“You shouldn’t encourage that clown.” Kara said dryly.

“Hey, that clown is one of my best friends. Be nice.”

“Sorry. Didn’t get a lot of sleep last night,” Kara said with a satisfied smile.

“Please, spare me the details about two of my best friends’ night of passion,” Briana begged her. “This situation is strange enough without getting the play-by-play.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right.”

“You gonna see him again?”

“Nah… We talked it out last night. It was just a casual thing between friends, no big deal.” Kara got to her feet and walked out. “Gotta grab a shower.”

Briana knew that it was hypocritical, but she couldn’t help but wish that Kara would give a guy a chance. She had so much to offer and Briana knew that Kara would be a wonderful girlfriend for any guy, but Kara didn’t see it that way. Her mother had spent her life telling her that she would never be good enough for anyone, and Kara believed every word. She figured her mother knew her better than anyone, but she couldn’t have been more wrong. Kara was the most loving, loyal, and funny person that Briana had ever met, and she wished that she would allow herself to fall in love.

Although Briana would be the first one to say that love really did hurt, and that hurting really sucked, the love part really made it all worth it.

Having someone who listened to you, really listened. Who cared what happened to you. Who offered you comfort when you needed it. Someone you could laugh or cry hysterically with, someone who would allow you to just be yourself, no matter what. There was nothing like kissing someone that you truly loved. It made her sigh just thinking about it.

That was really the reason why Briana hadn’t had a serious relationship since Colin. No one else made her feel the way that she had when they were together. She worried that no one else ever could.

Chapter Eight

Colin knew that it was a thinly veiled excuse to stop by and see Briana, but a guy had to eat, didn’t he?

He’d talked Rich into heading down to the Bar & Grill after work. It didn’t really take that much convincing; Rich was always ready to eat. He seemed especially after the work out he’d been treated to that morning.

When they walked into the crowded restaurant, Colin scanned the room for signs of Briana. He knew she’d more than likely be in the back, but he still hoped for a glimpse. He hadn’t seen her in a few days, and he’d missed the sight of her.

He realized that he wasn’t going to get to see her yet, so he walked up to where Rich was chatting up the hostess.

“C’mon, sweet Nicole. I’m sure you can find us a table somewhere in this place. There are just two of us.”

The blonde hostess turned red at Rich’s flirting and said that she’d see what she could do to find them a table right away.

“Leave that poor girl alone, Rich,” Colin said as Nicole scurried off in search of a table. “She looks pretty sweet. I don’t think she knows how to handle the likes of you.”

“No harm,” Rich smiled. “And see? It worked. She’s fixin’ something up for us right now

.”

Colin couldn’t help but chuckle softly as they were led to their seats. Rich could charm the pants off anyone, and very nearly had.

They thanked Nicole, and she flushed again, murmuring, “You’re welcome,” as she walked back to her post.

They didn’t need to look at the menu. It was Wednesday after all, so wings were pretty much a given.

“Well, lucky me. Two of the most eligible bachelors in town, sitting at my table,” Kara drawled with a sexy grin.

“Hey, Kara,” Colin said. “How you doin’?”

“Can’t complain,” she replied. “Can I start ya’ll off with a beer?”

“Yes, ma’am.” This was delivered by Rich, with a sexy grin of his own.

“Comin’ right up, Sugar.” They both took a moment to watch Kara sashay to the bar. “She’s the female version of you,” Colin said shaking his head and turning back to Rich.

Rich just leaned back and grinned. “Ain’t that the truth.”