She studies me for a few moments. “Okay, I see your point, but that really doesn’t mean anything. The way I see it, you have two options. You can go on a date, maybe even steal a goodnight kiss. Have some fun with him while he’s here, and then say goodbye at the end of the week. Or, if you really like him, you can date long distance. I know it’s not ideal, but you could make it work,” she suggests.
I snort out a laugh. “You make it sound so easy.”
She shrugs. “Well, it doesn’t have to be hard. I mean, he’s leaving next Wednesday to go home for a week, right? Chad’s going with him. Then they’re returning to base. Hang out with him while he’s here. Get to know him. Let him buy you a few dinners, maybe even get naked once or twice, and then bid him goodbye with the memory of how amazing he was in bed.”
My eyes are as wide as hubcaps. “Cassie!” I giggle.
“What?” she asks. “I met him earlier at the house. Something tells me that boy would kill it between the sheets.”
“Oh my God,” I mumble through my laughter.
“I’m serious. He was helping toss hay bales from the loft. Shirtless.”
That catches my attention.
This morning I saw him from the stairs before he left to help with chores, and he was very much still clothed from the waist up. Even then, Ford was looking edible. I’m kinda glad I ran off before I caught sight of the shirt coming off. No way would I have been able to form coherent sentences with him not wearing one, the hot sun glistening off his sweaty abs.
“You’re picturing it, aren’t you? You just licked your lips like a hussy in heat.”
“Cassie!” I bellow, once again, laughing. “God, I missed you,” I add, throwing my arm over her shoulder.
“Me too,” she replies, hugging me close. “But in all seriousness, I think he really likes you. He wouldn’t stop asking questions about you.”
I sigh and lean my head back against the couch. “We don’t even know each other though.”
“Well, I’m no expert, but I think this is how you get to know each other. It’s this brand-new thing called dating.”
“You’re such a smartass,” I grumble.
“So I’ve heard. Anyway, my point is, maybe let him take you to dinner. You know, Sunday night, when you’re off work. You guys can go to that little Mexican joint you love so much.”
I slowly turn to face her. “What did you do?”
She shrugs. “Nothing!” she insists, her eyes dancing with all the lies she’s telling. “Okay, so maybe I mentioned to him that you’re off on Sundays.”
Groaning, I slam my head back against the cushion. “Seriously, Cass? You’re meddling?”
She smiles. “Of course I am. I’m worried about your vagina. It hasn’t come face-to-face with a penis since you-know-who, and we don’t talk about him.”
My wide eyes just stare at her. “How do you even know anything about the state of my vagina? Wait, don’t answer that,” I state, getting up and moving to the kitchen for a glass of water.
“Because you locked up the vajayjay with that chastity belt the moment Douche Canoe left town, and it’s not fair to you or your vag. You’ve given him too much control, even after it happened a year ago.”
I greedily suck in a deep breath, which comes out shallow and slightly labored. It always does when I think about Rodney and what he did.
“All I’m saying is it wouldn’t hurt you to go out with Ford. He’s cute, built like a tank, and makes ice cream melt when he smiles. And, he’s only here for a little bit. How much harm could it cause?” she asks, standing across from me at the counter.
A lot, actually.
Unless I go into this knowing exactly what it is. A temporary fling. A way to pass time. I’m sure that’s all I’ll be to him anyway. It’s not like we could form a lasting bond or relationship in just a few days, right?
“I see your point, Cass, and I promise I’ll think about it. Now, what’s going on with you? Are you still seeing what’s-his-name?” I ask, finishing my water.
“Palmer? Ugh,” she grumbles, shaking her head. “What a dick. Turns out, he was just trying to get close to my roommate, Pepper.”
“Seriously?”
“Yep. When I found him going through her panty drawer, I called him on his bullshit. He told me he was more interested in her than me,” she informs, a flash of sadness crossing her features.
“I’m sorry, sweetie.”
Cassie shrugs. “It’s fine. I left him with a little something to remember me by anyway, so it’s not likely he’ll be forgetting about me anytime soon.” The smile she gives is victorious.
Grinning, I can’t help but ask, “What did you do?”