“I know, right?” She chews hers and hums. “No one makes them better.”
After I’ve eaten two of mine, I try again. “So, friends?”
Ingrid nods and swallows down her mouthful of taco. “Why the hell not? But if you try anything, I swear I’ll post something about how bad you are in bed and that you have the tiniest little Peter I’ve ever seen.” She pinches her fingers together. “I’ve seen inchworms bigger.”
I roll my eyes. “As if.” Then I reach across the table and separate her fingers a little. “That’s probably more accurate, but since this is a friendship without benefits, you’ll just have to take my word for it.”
“So what’s in Chicago?” She picks up her other taco.
I explain what I can, which isn’t much. Tell her my client needs me to plant a few employees who will figure out who’s spilling company secrets. We move onto the classes she’s taking. I listen to her passionately talk to me about the chemistry lab she’s working on. It’s way over my head, but I pretend it’s not. We sit there and talk for a whole hour. I end up ordering us both two more tacos.
It’s the best damn non-date of my life. She even allows me to walk her back to her dorm. When I go to leave, she gives me a quick hug and thanks me for dinner.
As I’m walking back to my car, I text Lenny and ask him for the number of the bakery in Prieto. Make a note to call them in the morning when they open. I plan to order a dozen snickerdoodle cookies and have them express delivered.
I can’t wait to hear all about it. She’s about to understand that I’m not like the other men in her life who’ve let her down. When I say I’m going to do something, I fucking do it.
Chapter 10
Ingrid & Darius
INGRID:
You actually did it.
DARIUS:
Did what?
INGRID:
(sends a photo of a dozen snickerdoodle cookies)
DARIUS:
I told you I would, didn’t I? Now you know that when I say something, I carry through.
INGRID:
I’m going to gain ten pounds. My coach isn’t going to be happy about that.
Oh, and Janey and Raven have requested you send them a dozen more so they don’t have to share one cookie between the two of them.
Yes, I’m being that selfish with them.
Thank you. I forgot to say that.
DARIUS:
You’re welcome. And done. Anything else you’d like from that place?
INGRID:
…
I’m afraid if I tell you, you’ll seriously send more.
DO NOT send more.
