Hunks Too Hot To Touch by Marie Rochelle

I’ve never spoken a word to him before. Don’t you think going up to him and asking him out on a date will seem odd?”
    Shauntie understood were Sapphire was coming from, but it wouldn’t hurt to try. “I still say go for it.”
    Sapphire’s black eyebrows suddenly arched mischievously at her. “I’ll ask my crush out on a date if you stop trying to find ways to shove Nash away from you. He seems like a pretty decent guy, so why wouldn’t you give him a chance. He hasn’t done anything to you.”
    Being caught off guard by Sapphire’s suggestion, Shauntie wasn’t too sure what to tell her friend. She wasn’t used to getting challenged about her love life. Adding Nash into her personal space wasn’t going to help her.
    “I can’t agree to your demands. How many times do I have to tell you that I’m not interested in Nash?”
    “I guess until you make me believe you or you give up this lie and admit that you do like him more than you care to admit. Being honest with yourself isn’t going to hurt you, Shauntie. He isn’t J.T. Don’t make him out to be or you’ll be alone for the rest of your life.”
    Enough! She was done talking about this because it was going nowhere in her book. Shauntie wanted to offer Sapphire advice about pursuing the man she wanted...it wasn’t supposed to be the other way around.
    “You have your opinion and I have mine. How about we move on to a safer more neutral ground?” Shauntie suggested. “Do you know if Emerald has found her man yet? She has such an easy time finding men. They seem to flock to her.”
    Sapphire gave her head a quick shake. “I don’t think she has because she hasn’t mentioned anything and I talked to her last night. We both know that as soon as she does Emerald will tell us about it. She wants everyone to know what’s going on in her life.”
    “Yes, she does and that’s why we both love her so much. Emerald is the most fearless one out of the three of us.” She laughed.
    “I believe you’re the same way, but you keep it hidden more than Emerald,” Sapphire said, surprising her. “It’s time for you to live a little more. Get out there and show everyone what you’ve got. You can’t spend the rest of your life working and planting flowers. You need a family and could probably have one if you opened your eyes.”
    Why did Sapphire think there was something wrong with her life? Why couldn’t her friend understand how fulfilled her life was? She wasn’t missing anything out of it.”
    “Sapphire, I’m─”
    “Don’t you dare try to lie to me,” Sapphire retorted, cutting her off. “I have known you for years. We’re like sisters. I can tell that you aren’t happy, but I’m done pushing you. I know you’ll make the right decision. Hey, how about we hit the dance floor? I feel like dancing.”
    Glancing out on the dance floor, Shauntie noticed how crowded it was and she knew that she wasn’t in the mood to deal with it tonight. Her mind was on too many other things. Sapphire had given her a lot to think about tonight.
    “I think I’m going to pass,” Shauntie replied. “Why don’t you go out there and have some fun? I’ll stay here and watch our purses. Date enough for me while you’re there.”
    “Are you okay?” Sapphire asked, concern in her voice. “I can stay here and talk some more if you want.”
    Shauntie gave her friend a huge smile. She didn’t want Sapphire not to have any fun because she was at a crossroads at the moment. “No, go on out there. I’m okay. Don’t worry about me so much.”
    “Thanks. I won’t be out there for long,” Sapphire promised before she got up from her seat and rushed out on the dance floor.
    Sitting back in her seat, Shauntie allowed the atmosphere of the club to flow over her while she thought about what Sapphire had told her. She was pushing Nash to the side for no reason. He hadn’t done anything to her.
    Honestly, the second she looked up and found Nash towering over her,