<em>~ Nicci - facing facts ~</em><br/><br/>Nicci looked lovingly at Bo, she was so thrilled that he was flirting with Mari, especially after what the girls had said earlier, she wanted so much for him to accept them all, and that would let Nicci be fully comfortably with any advances he made to her, knowing they were not divisive or exclusive - that would taint what she felt for him.  It seemed to her one of the most important things, to start off right, not to have an exclusivity or feeling of being pushed out.  She nodded, her eyes sparkling, and felt the sudden lift of her spirits, and grinned at Marcus, loving the small stilled look of surprise on his face turning into a delighted smile.<br/><br/>Then, just when everything seemed so wonderful and she thought she couldn't be happier with how things were going, she had to struggle hard to even keep the smile on her face, and it took all her training not to show even a glimpse of the pain inside.  She'd been feeling Mari was bonding with Mila more and more all night.  The touches, the holding hands, the constant loving attention and caring words.  She had struggled with feeling on the outside, and tried to make sure she didn't let herself be over sensitive about it.  But now, Mari leaving her out yet again.... it hurt so much she knew she had been right all along.  Mari didn't like her or want her as much as she did Mila.  She'd just have to be strong about it.  Face it. Hope that in time....<br/><br/>She smiled at Mila, letting the real happiness that Mila  was teasing and partaking of boys fun shine through the pain.  She was so thrilled the lovely woman was gradually unfurling like wonderful butterfly, her wings catching the currents and making her fly.  Even if the men only kissed the two other girls, and not her, as Mari suggested, she would still be happy for them both and she must center on that, and not her need for Mari to really want her.<br/><br/>She wiped the cocoa off her nose with the back of her hand, almost subconsciously stating she felt was no longer part of that fun, and she picked up her mug, sipping it very slowly, keeping it close to her face, cradled in her hands. Giving something for her mouth to do, she thought, smiling to herself.<br/><br/>She grinned at Mila's last comment, picking up the bag of truffles, and plopping them down in front of Mila, "Well in that case, the rest are all yours," she laughed.