“Okay…” I say because what else can I do? She’s my friend so I’ll always have her back.
I walk over and grab my oven mitts. I place the pizza on the cutting board on the counter. The crust is crispy and the cheese is bubbling, and I’m suddenly completely ravenous again. That’s a good sign, I think. Aspen is almost drooling as she eyes my creation. “I read somewhere that dairy is bad for concussions. You should text Logan and ask. And then ask him to join you for some.”
“You’re lying,” I laugh and hunt around in a drawer for the pizza cutter. “He’s working, remember?”
“Well, not tonight but tomorrow night or the night after. Or both,” Aspen says and when I roll my eyes she lets out an exasperated grunt. “Fine. Don’t. I give up.”
I watch her as she takes a big sip of her water and then sighs dramatically. I hand her the pizza cutter and walk over to the cabinets behind her to grab plates and napkins. “What’s that breakfast thingy you made me the other month? When you had me over for a working brunch while you were building my website?”
“Crab eggs benny,” I reply. “I splurged to impress you because you were a new client. You liked it, right?”
“Loved it, that’s why I remember it,” Aspen says. “You should make that with the lobster meat Logan gave you, and invite him over to taste it.”
When I turn back to the island, I see she’s holding my phone. And I freeze. “What are you doing?”
“You really should activate the facial recognition on this so people like me can’t use your phone while your back is turned,” Aspen lectures. She finishes punching something into it as I approach and quickly drops it back onto the island. I shove a plate at her, put mine down, and grab it.
As soon as the screen illuminates, I see she’s messaged Logan. My eyes grow so wide they feel like they’ll pop out of my head. “You didn’t…”
“I fucking did. Sorry not sorry.”
As Aspen hauls two pieces of pizza onto her plate, I read what she sent Logan.
Are you free for brunch at all this weekend? I have a new recipe I want to try with the lobster meat and I though you could join me. As a thanks for all your help. You game?
“Holy shit!” I hiss at her like an angry cat, but she just smiles.
“You’re welcome,” Aspen lifts the pizza and takes a big bite as my face turns redder than the tomato sauce I used.
A second later, before I can figure out how to fix this situation she’s put me in, my phone pings with a response from Logan.
I’m off Sunday morning. Does that work?
“Ha!” Aspen is pointing at me and almost jumping on her stool which makes me nervous she’ll topple over and hurt herself and the baby. “You’re smiling! He wants to have brunch and you’re happy about it!”
“No! I’m just…” I stare at my phone. “Okay I mean it’s nice that he seems interested in hanging out. But it would be nicer if he wasn’t my tenant.”
“You have got to let that go,” Aspen commands as she refills both our water glasses. “It’s only a hurdle if you make it one.”
“But I mean, if things don’t work out…he’s always going to be there, right under my nose,” I explain because I don’t think Aspen is getting it.
“And if it does work out, an orgasm from a hot, willing body is only a staircase away,” Aspen replies and finishes her slice, immediately reaching for another. I’ve barely finished my first. As soon as she swallows, she reaches for a napkin and waves it toward me before dabbing it on her mouth. “Answer him!”
I pull up the message and stare at it. Aspen grows frustrated because my fingers aren’t moving. “Look, I started this, but I’m not going to finish it for you. The ball is in your court. Take a swing or don’t.”
“Court is a basketball reference and swing is a baseball reference,” I correct her.
“My brother is a hockey player. No other sport matters. And you’re deflecting.”
I close my eyes and sigh. “I guess I do owe him some kind of thank you for all he’s done.”
“Yeah, okay. Tell yourself whatever you need to. Now answer him.”
I type back.
Sunday works! Noon?
I almost hurl the phone across the island because I’m suddenly as nervous as a pre-teen with her first crush, which is ridiculous. I’m not crushing on Logan. I don’t even know him…I’ve just showered with him. Aspen slaps the marble counter of the island. “You’re smiling again.”
