Nothing is underrated as the bliss of delusion. It keeps you afloat, it keeps you motivated. And frankly, it prompts the production of your daily dose of serotonin and adrenaline. And for me this is what the last five months have felt like. Pure bliss. Turns out when you stop waiting for the other shoe to drop and just live your life your life, it might turn out to be pretty amazing.
"There, I think it's pretty amazing." I state as I look at my reflection in the mirror and set my lip gloss down. I turn and face Garth who's leaning on my door frame. He assesses my face and squints his eyes a little. "Well you look the same way you do everyday." he says with a shrug and my shoulders droop. "Will it hurt you to compliment a girl?"
"Would it hurt you to go on a date with me?"
"You know you ask me that question at least twice each week for the past three months?" "And do you know you say no each time. Like would it even kill you to get with a guy for once?" I pause and think about it for a second.
"You remember the first night you were here, oozing sexual energy so much so good we almost got robbed?" I accuse. He laughs out loud. "Really, you wanna blame our explosive unexplored sexual energy for what happened. You must really hate me then." he says as he hands me my coffee and I grab my coat of the hanger and we both head out. "I don't hate you, I just realized that maybe just maybe shagging the best friend of my best friend is not a good idea. In fact it might be catastrophic." Or explosive in a way that leaves me speechless. Either way its a bad...bad...I swallow bad idea. "Is that why you're holding back compliments, because I won't sleep with your sex deprived ass?" I chuckle.
He halts in his steps and shoots me an accusatory look. He's in black leather as usual, and the newly trimmed beard and buzzcut is doing nothing good for my libido. Did I mention he's also gotten a new tattoo, a new back tattoo that I end up gawking at every morning because I now apparently live with this Greek god of a man. "I would never do such a thing. The lip gloss looks phenomenal on you and you know that. I just think it's unfair to ask me to look at your lips when all I wanna do is grab you by the neck and lean down and..."
"Garth!" I gasp and recollect myself and our eyes meet. It's very unfair that I've also replayed those very same actions in my head probably a million times in my head. He tears his eyes away from mine and shakes his head a little. "I'll see you in the evening Reika." And just like that, he's gone off to work. So much for my mouth, has he seen himself? He's a masterpiece of a man, and I bet his lips would.. Girl we're out of the house....with actual people outside, who are looking at you fantasize in the middle of your front yard. Taking a deep long breath, I collect myself and stuff all my....tension and emotions in a vault in the back of my mind and head for my car.
~
"Can you believe him?"
"Can I believe the fact that you live with a very handsome man, who asks you out constantly and wants to fuck the hell out of your sex deprived self. No, I don't believe it because frankly what could be the possible reason that you keep saying no. And don't give me the oh, Reid is his best friend crap. I bet Reid is rooting for you to get cracked." Kristina states as she finishes up on wiping glasses. I take off my apron and head for the back door as she follows.
"Reid?" Now the idea of Reid even knowing that his best friend wants to shag me is even more bizarre. It makes me feel like I have a knot tied in my stomach. "Yeah Reid. Let's ask him when he gets here in the evening." "And I think it's none of his business who's fucking me."
"Just saying, so that you can stop using that lame ass excuse. Or maybe I should get with him myself if you hate him that much." we both cross the street and occupy the chairs outside Dices(our new hangout spot that isn't my working place.) "Why does everyone assume that I don't want him because I hate him. I let him live with me for fucks sake. Plus, I'm aware you're aware of something called consent. And I haven't given it."
She sighs and takes another bite of the French fries Blake brought for us. "Well I obviously respect your not given consent. But I'm still talking to Reid."
I sigh heavily. "Fine."
~
"He's here." Kristina says in a singy song tone. "I know."
"So go ask him." Well this is going to be embarrassing and agonizing. Kristina walks up to him, his favorite drink in hand. She hands it to him and they chat for a few second's before his head whips in my direction. The hysterical look on his face makes me wish the ground would just crack open and swallow me whole. I manage the worlds most crooked smile and start walking towards them.
"So Garth huh?" he says with a chuckle. "And why exactly does it seem like I'm being asked for permission for you to shag him?" I shoot Kris a look that could most definitely kill if it could. "It's not permission. I just find it awkward smashing within the friend group you know. Plus he's your best friend as well and......"
"Ow I'm ultimately honored that you considered my say and opinion and feelings on this but you are a grown up adult you can do whatever you want." he says hurriedly then downs the shot handed to him by Kris. "And if what you want to do is date Garth. I honestly think you should go for it." he says and signals Kris for another shot. Well now I can't even tell if he's happy for me or not. But he's right, I'm a grown ass adult. A smile draws itself across my face. It's been a whole damn year. A YEAR. Oh am I getting some tonight.
"Well, now I defo know its not my place to but in but Reid seems like he doesn't care...." she pauses nervously. I place the glass I'm holding on the adjacent shelf and face her. "But?"
"But I think maybe, just maybe he might be into you...he kinda seemed envious." she concludes and I burst out laughing. He and I might be best friends but I certainly don't have feelings. And he said I'm a grown ass woman. He's a grown ass man as well. and he can damn well communicate. "Well he can talk to me if something's up. But for now you know what?"
"What?"
"I'm gonna go home, and get cracked today," I announce a mischievous smile playing on my face.