The Scheme

She blamed it on the FTF handbook and her god-awful rules. I didn’t understand what the deal was. If we had a mutual understanding about our relationship, why did it matter if I crashed at her place?

This morning, I had to press my snooze button twice. It took a while to wake up, even after a cold shower. My body was physically exhausted, plus the nerves from the morning meeting had worn me down. Still, I couldn’t get enough of her.

Physically, she tired me out, but hanging out with her, being in her presence, rejuvenated me.

I glanced at my watch. I hadn’t been home more than ten minutes, and I was already itching to see her again.

Trey took a swig of beer and rested his elbows on his knees. “Where are we going?” He had a smile on his face like he wanted to cause some trouble.

“I’m going to Kendy’s.” As soon as it slipped out, I regretted it.

“Oh boy. Getting some action tonight.” He lifted his fist, but I stared at his outstretched hand and left him hanging.

I raised an eyebrow, tired of his teasing, and moved my eyes to the television. Maybe Kendy and I were only friends that fucked, but I didn’t appreciate Trey joking about it.

“So you getting serious?” he prodded, fishing for more information.

I didn’t know what to tell him. All I knew was that I didn’t want it to end.

“No. It is what it is. A fling until she decides it’s over.”

He ducked his head into my line of sight and asked again, “You like this girl?”

“Me?” I shook my head in response. “Not in the way you’re thinking. We have a mutual agreement. That’s all.”

Besides, I needed to be focused. If I won this new deal, I’d make my quota for the year and could position myself for a promotion. It was the next big step on my radar.

“Hmm.” Trey tipped back his beer. “Mutual understanding . . .”

I didn’t appreciate his sarcasm. “Yes.” I gave him a look, telling him I didn’t need to be pestered any further.

Trey took another swig of his beer and stood. “Chill, man. I’m just playin’.” He slapped my back before moving toward his bedroom.

I ignored him, reached for my phone, and texted Kendy.

Me: Hey, still want me to come over?

Kendy: Lover boy!!!! But of course. Be here at 8.

I blinked a couple times at her text and rolled my shoulders back. The stiffness in my neck, which had started to dissipate a few minutes ago, was back. Mutual agreement or not, part of me felt like the appetizer, not the main course, a feeling I was familiar with.

I shook my head. This mutual relationship was my choice. I already knew what I was in for. In my prior relationship with Beth, she’d chosen the other man. I hadn’t previously been prepared for that. There was a difference.

I rubbed at my brow to ward off an oncoming headache. Before I contemplated what our relationship was any further, I placed my phone on the table and got ready for our next date.

ELEVEN

KENDY

The scent of coffee from my mug filtered through the air of my one bedroom apartment. There was nothing more refreshing than a fresh brewed cup of coffee.

“So, you wanted to talk?” I prompted, bringing the mug to my lips.

Sarah sat on the stool at my kitchen island, holding my Mickey Mouse mug as she blew at the steam rising from the cup. She had some important news to tell me about Dr. Klein, so of course I’d told her to come right over.

“I’m sorry. Super Cupid failed you. I just wanted to tell you this in person, since we’ve been on different shifts lately.” Her eyes dropped to my granite countertop, one of the many beautiful features which had drawn me to the place. “I’m working my magic on the other side, promise you. I’ve been dropping your name whenever he’s around.”

I rolled my eyes, thinking back to Saturday night when I had been dressed to impress, but had bedded the man I hadn’t been expecting to leave with. I didn’t know what more I could do. “Well, that night you got a stomach virus and left me without a wingman, the night you abandoned me . . .” I gave her a joking narrowed eye. “He left with another woman. If I wasn’t Kendall Ly

“Forget that girl.” Sarah waved her hand in dismissal. “That was a one-night thing. You’re going to be a forever thing, so you can’t give up.” Her eyes turned sympathetic as she shook her head before she placed her hand on my forearm. “On a good note, he asked about you,” she sang, her eyeballs practically popping out of their sockets. “He wanted to know if you were dating anyone.”

I perked up, her words sinking into me. Had I finally caught his attention?

She blew her dark hair from her face. “I have never, ever failed in a hook-up situation. I set my sister up with our neighbor, my friend with a boy who works at Wal-Mart, and my old roommate with the personal trainer at my gym. All have ended in successful relationships and marriages,” she said proudly. “God has graced me with a talent; a talent for leading everyone in the right direction to their true loves. I guess the only person I can’t set up is myself.” She shrugged like it was no big deal, but I heard the sadness in her tone as she slumped against her seat and focused on my Mickey mug. Maybe Sarah had been hurt before.

I leaned over. “Don’t worry,” I said, giving her arm a consoling pat. “Someone’s going to scoop you up, take the arrow from their back pocket, and shoot you themselves, right in your fine ass.”

She smiled, but it didn’t meet her eyes. It made me wonder if she’d been burned before. She shook it off and perked up. “Don’t you worry about me. I’ll just keep at what I know best.”

Sensing the sour mood in the atmosphere, I changed the subject. “So what do I do now, Miss Cupid?” I wondered how long this waiting game was going to drag on. When would the prediction become true? I was getting impatient.

“You just wait right there.” She pointed a finger at me. “I’ll be back to work on him tomorrow. It’s just a matter of time.” She got this glint of excitement in her eyes as though her mind was turning, solidifying her plans in her head. She raised one hand in the air, like she was going to take flight. “Super Cupid to the rescue.”

At that, we both laughed.

***

A knock at my door jolted me from the couch and had my heart skipping a beat, maybe two. Sarah had left an hour ago, and I was glad, because if she had met Brian, she’d ask questions I wouldn’t be able to answer.

Opening the door, I was greeted with a panty-dropping smile as he stepped in, holding a bottle of wine.

“Hiya!” I waved him in, greeting him in my usual Kendy bouncy ways. “You come bearing gifts,” I said, taking the bottle from his hands.

“Why, yes I do.” He smirked, his hands in his pockets as he rocked back on his heels. He was wearing a Cubs T-shirt, a baseball cap drawn low, and his signature dark jeans, which made his rock hard thighs look amazing.

My eyes moved to the large clock dial in my kitchen. It was eight on the dot. He never failed. As always, Brian was punctual. It was one of the many qualities I admired, especially since I was always the one ru

I placed the wine in the fridge and spun back to his charming smile. A whole bunch of awkwardness filled the air as I shifted from one foot to the other. I locked eyes with him, baby blue to crystal blue, and the next second, I angled my head downward.

I knew why he was here. He knew why he was here. It was too early to get it on, yet here he was. I sighed heavily and chewed on my bottom lip as heat moved to the tips of my ears. It seemed we had forgotten how to hang out.