Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 87536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Zero finesse.
Me:
I gave you the world’s most G-rated airport kiss because Benny was hounding you for attention. Then the night went sideways, and by morning I felt like a bag of shit.
Layla:
You don’t have to keep apologizing. I totally understand. And I’m glad everyone is feeling better.
Layla:
Sometimes being home for a day is the best medicine.
Me:
True. But I’d rather be in your living room than mine.
Layla:
Oh yeah? What do you imagine my living room is like? You never made it to my place when you were in Star Lake.
Me:
Also true. I don’t know—cute and cozy??? Beige?
Layla:
Beige?
Layla:
Yes. My walls are beige, I have a whole earthy vibe that you probably wouldn’t expect from me. I don’t love clutter LOL
Me:
Really?? I never would have guessed that.
Layla:
Excuse me? Do I look like I’m a slob?
Me:
That’s not what I meant.
Me:
I just pictured you . . . colorful. Like your brain leaves little neon Post-its everywhere it goes.
Layla:
My brain does. My living room does not. The living room is calm. Adult.
Me:
So you’re telling me there’s a couch I’m able to sit on without having to move a mountain of laundry?
Layla:
Wild concept, I know. There’s even a basket for blankets!
Me:
Fancy. Are the blankets for show or can I steal one and hunker down.
Layla:
Yes, for sure snuggling. Are you a snuggler?
Me:
Of course I’m a snuggler. You can’t have a pre-teen daughter and not be, know what I mean?
Layla:
That’s sweet. Love it.
Me:
Yeah, Benny basically fell asleep on top of me last night. She’s a hot box to begin with and on top of that, she had a fever, so that added to my exhaustion.
Layla:
Well, if I was there, I’d let you lie on the couch while I rub your feet.
I snicker and want to ask Oh? Is that the only thing you’d rub? but don’t want to be a pig. Too soon for that, ha ha.
Instead I ask: What’s the couch policy on snacks?
Layla:
Do you mean, do I allow snacks in the living room?
Me:
Yeah.
Layla:
Um, my favorite thing is to be parked on the couch with my arm elbow deep in a bag of popcorn.
I rack my brain for something new to say, wanting to change the subject. Circle back around to the important shit—like whatever this is that we’re doing. Definitely not dating. Definitely not a one-night stand.
What is this?
A fling?
A friendship?
Friends with benefits?
I wish I fucking knew.
Me:
Can I be honest for a second?
Layla:
Yes of course. Please.
Me:
We obviously like each other. And I don’t want this whole situation to be a confused blur that ends up hurting someone.
Layla:
Someone as in ME?
Me:
No, I think we both have the potential to be hurt and I’m not even going to mention Benny as part of that equation. That one seems like a given.
Me:
I’m not built for a friends with benefits relationship. It reads too much like a shortcut to pretending I don’t care when I do.
Layla:
Thank you for saying that.
Layla:
I don’t think I’m built for a FWB either. Not that I’ve ever had one? But you’re also in a completely different state, so it’s not like we can do booty calls when we want to get laid.
Me:
Which is going to be all the time now that I’ve broken the seal.
Layla:
Oh lord . . .
Me:
I’m serious. Now that I’ve had you and know what you taste like, I’m ruined. My brain permanently can’t stop thinking about your pussy.
I hit Send.
Watch as the chat bubbles appear and reappear.
Layla:
You’re not going to make this easy, are you?
Yes. I would love for this to be easy. But we both know that’s obviously never going to fucking happen, simply because she’s in Washington and I’m here and it is what it is.
Me:
Not trying to make it easy. Just trying to keep it 100
A few moments pass before she replies.
Layla:
I don’t know if the distance will make it impossible, or if I’ll get in my own way. We’re two grown up people who had a lovely weekend then a lovely week together, and your daughter is amazing and for that, I am so grateful.
A lovely weekend.
So grateful.
Right.
Me:
Agree. It was really . . . great.
Layla:
So great.
Me:
Cool.
Layla:
Cool.
I stare at the screen, type something, delete it.
Shit.
Shit, shit, shit.
Me:
What are you up to?
Layla:
Lazy. I did nothing. Really just getting ready for work Monday, I’m sure there are going to be people who will be pissed I left so soon after the Fall Fest.
Layla:
You?
Me:
Cleaning, bleaching things LOL. Getting ready for the team meeting on Monday.
Layla:
Ahhhh now the real fun begins.
Me:
Don’t know about the fun part, but yeah. Shit’s about to get real.
Layla:
Well, the good news is you really wouldn’t have time to date anyway.
That’s true but also, false.
You always find time for the things that are important. There’s never a day where Benny feels like she’s been shoved aside for my job; she knows I do it for us. Not for myself.
Teamwork makes the dream work and all that BS, and it would be easy for me to reply with I would make time for you.