“Okay, it kind of sounds like we’re opposites. You are more full-throttle like Kalilah, and Cayla is a planner like me. You want to do, and she wants to think. The issue with us planners, in this sense, is that love is messy, unpredictable, and therefore highly unplannable.”
“What am I supposed to do to a female you? That is so weird by the way.”
Nick grins. “You love me so much you had to find a woman like me.”
“I could say the same, you know.”
“Touché.” Nick thought for another beat. “Push. In hindsight, there are times Kalilah could’ve pressed a little more and gotten exactly what she wanted. But she didn’t because she was trying to respect my process. The difference between us is Kalilah was my list. You must convince Cayla you are her list. That is what you want, right?”
“A solid, stable relationship with someone that cares about me, yes.”
“Remember how you told me to give Kalilah a little bit of honesty to get her naked?” Dex nodded. “Well, you tried that, and she shot it down. You need to do the opposite. Since it sounds like your sexual chemistry is already established, play on that, get her naked, blow up her world with orgasms…”
Nick patted Dex’s shoulder. “… I have faith in you.
Find thoughtful ways to introduce her to the finer things that would be commonplace for a Sinclair. Their parents kept them grounded and loyal. They raised them to be independent and loving. You won’t have to be concerned with wondering if it’s you or your money.”
“And if she digs in her heels about me not being black?”
Nick grinned. “She is stubborn, but once you check off everything else on her list, I doubt she’s going to hold your lack of a tan against you.” Nick laughed at a thought. “Now, I understand why Kalilah bought a Sam’s Club amount of popcorn.”
Dex laughed. “That little jerk. I’m surprised she hasn’t intervened yet.”
“I’ve been keeping her mouth busy.” Nick waggled his eyebrows.
Dex pushed his brother. “Get a job.”
Chapter 10
Natalia and Kalilah came over for drinks and gossip after Cayla invited them. They made margaritas and virgin pina coladas for Kalilah. Mexican food-obsessed Kalilah showed up with beef fajitas, chile con queso, and chips. They’d been eating and drinking when Cayla spilled everything from the beginning for Natalia’s benefit.
Cayla squirmed under Natalia’s intense green gaze. She knew what she was about to say before she spoke.
“You two bitches get involved with the craziest Sinclair brother shit, and I’m always the last to know!” Her Spanish-Portuguese accent made her comment sound fierier. “How am I supposed to be a proper BFF if you’re not dishing. That’s okay. Imma start some hot, torrid shit and just show up married or pregnant.”
She huffed then wrapped her waist length, wavy brown hair into a bun at the top of her head. Natalia scowled at both sisters again before giving her opinion.
“I have spent a lot of time in some of the same social circles as Dex and while he is not hard pressed for female attention, I really don’t think he’s the bad boy man-whore type.” Natalia sipped her margarita. “I’ve actually seen him turn down women. Plus, he’s been nice to me but never forward. I’m not easy to ignore.”
Kalilah and Cayla laughed at the spice of the last sentence. Natalia laughed with them.
“Seriously, I think he is a closet sweetheart. I agree with Kalilah. Stop fighting it and have some fun. Plus, my dad is Afro-Brazilian, and my mom is Mexican. Nothing wrong with getting a little interracial.”
“Agreed!” Kalilah nodded reverently. “Nick’s white ass does wonderful things to my body.”
“We know!” Cayla and Natalia said in unison.
Kalilah shrugged. “You two wanted all the details. You got them.”
“But, I had this perfect image of me and my black man…”
Kalilah leaned forward. “Cayla, I know there’s this belief that black people get to a certain point of success and purposely choose to not be with a black person, but it’s not true for everyone. Some people may do it on purpose, but others just fall.”
Natalia nodded. “Right. You know what’s what. So, if Dex does it for you, great. If an Asian or Hispanic man does it, good. Think about all the factors. You can get a black man that checks all your boxes but be the worst fit for you. Just go with your gut or case by case.”
Kalilah raised her hand. “I vote for taking it one day at a time while enjoying hot sex and fun.”
Cayla frowned. She didn’t think she was a fling type of girl. But, her body suggested otherwise whenever she thought of Dex.