Tempting Hot Neighbor

Nicole slumped on the couch, the mobile still grasped in her hand, staring out at the surrounding serenity. Ashley's concern and resentment, coming in waves across the lines, lingered in her mind.

"Ashley, I'm fine." Nicole was still struggling to calm her sister down, but there was no point in trying to reason with her.

"Are you insane, Nicole?" The exasperation by now threaded into her voice as it began to rise. "You are 25, and you've had three breakups. What the hell is happening with you?"

Nicole sighed and had to hold her wet temple. She might have understood Ashley's reasoning, but she was too tired to defend herself anymore.

"I mean, could you be this insensitive now, or did you just call at midnight to witness my breakup story?" Nicole raised an unquestionable note of defiance in her voice.

A pause. "The problem is, I hardly have time in the day—the time-consuming job and everything—and Mom is dying to know what goes on here. You know how she is."

Nicole rolled her eyes. Even without knowing it, their mother had always been very inquisitive; matters had grown worse since the divorce.

"Everything's fine as long as I date anyone." She felt a sort of relief articulating all those pent-up feelings. "But once I'm in a relationship, it all changes. I'm not up for someone controlling how I live and when I live."

Ashley's reply was prompt. "Baby, this is a relationship." This was new, and Nicole had never heard anyone say this before. "That's how you manage, with others. You need to think about the idea."

Nicole raised her eyebrows. "Your face sounded so deeply involved with my ex!"

Ashley's tone softened somewhat. "I do not side with anybody, Nicole. I correct you with the truth about relationships. It doesn't mean you should forsake love with just one or two heartbreaks."

Nicole chuckled bitterly. "Ashley, I am not giving up on love... I am just..."

There was a moment of silence, and then Ashley began again. 'It's not possible, Nicole. Don't you know what Mom wants? To have one of us married off. She will drag you round and round unless you let all her desires come true.'

The outpouring frustration from Nicole: 'Why can't both of you let me live in peace? Just go tell Mom that I am not going out on any more dates or entering into any relationships from now on. I am done with it.'

The impishness in Ashley's tone was plain now. 'I am coming next week; get ready.'

"What for?" Nicole narrowed her eyes at her, skeptical of the surprise.