“Obi, you’ve been sick for like twenty-four hours. You were outside yesterday.”
“I don’t do this part well,” he moaned. “Come on. Tell me about your day.”
“You really wanna know?”
His eyes cast downward. “If we’re doing the whole friends-with-benefits thing, I think it’s important that we’re actually friends.”
“If we’re good friends, it won’t be just sex.”
“This might sound contradictory, but I’d prefer if it wasn’t just sex. I like to feel connected to my partners,” he said. “That’s how I got in this situation. I can’t do random flings.”
I wrinkled my nose. “You didn’t know me when we fooled around. You were thejust for tonightone.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “No, but I felt a vibe with you. You felt . . . safe. You’re Kitty’s best friend, so I figured you couldn’t be a bad person. And I also drank a decent amount that weekend, which I don’t normally. Drinking fills in those little gaps where you don’t know someone. I either have to be drunk or close to someone to want to fuck. But I love making friends with people, if that makes sense. Getting to know what makes people tick.”
“That’s fair. I’m glad you’re in touch with what you need,” I said. “But you know we can’t be—”
“Yes, we can’t date. We’re just going to be good friends who touch each other intimately. I know your job is important, Annie.” He reached for my hand but stopped himself from taking it. “No touching, no touching.”
“Pretty sure I touched you plenty last night. If I’m doomed, I’m doomed.”
“Don’t need to tempt fate. Now tell me about your day.”
We stayed on opposite ends of the bed, but laid on our sides totalk. His mask made the green of his eyes stand out more.
“Well, I had a meeting with another new-to-me client. From Angel City FC, actually.”
“The soccer team? That’s awesome.”
“Yeah, I like working with women clients. No offense.”
“None taken.”
“It’s just a more collaborative approach, less ego. And I always like to try and get more for my women, since we’re paid so much less on the whole as athletes. If I could have it my way, I’d have an agency for just women athletes.” I sat up to take off my sweatshirt and pull down my hair. Nick’s eyes tracked the movement.
“Why don’t you?”
I sighed, nestling back into the mattress. “Money. I’d need to know I could make enough with a women’s agency, and health insurance and all that. You never know what’s going to happen in life.”
Nick nodded. “What if someone could help you?”
“I want to be able to do it on my own. If you have to answer to investors, it’s never really yours.”
“Fair.” Greg stirred at that moment, lifting his head to see me in the bed. He got up and curled into my body, lying back down.
Nick’s eyes went wide. “Look at this little traitor! Leaving me in my time of need!”
“Please. Do you even have a fever anymore?”
“I’m two hours medicine-free. Let’s check.” He grabbed the thermometer off his nightstand, the rapid fever beeps coming out. He showed me the screen.
“It’s coming down at least. Not as bad as it was last night. You had me freaked out, bub.”
“You told me I wouldn’t die!” he cried, then coughed and grabbed his throat.
“I should get out of here so you stop talking.”
“You won’t even watch a movie with me?”
