Page 69 of The Plus One Pact

"Do I smell pot?" Romeo's voice shifts to a teasing tone. It's a little over the top. A game, for Cynthia's benefit.

She's more model-like than I expected. Tall, thin, beautiful in a striking way. A California Casual version of Naomi Campbell, with the same dark brown skin and symmetrical features.

She really does fit into the surroundings, in her short-shorts, oversized hoodie, and natural curls. She even speaks with a slight California accent.

She looks like someone who belongs in this beautiful, well-manicured backyard. She glows the way the aqua pool and the soft lanterns do.

"You must be the famous Doctor Made-Up-Girlfriend." She nods hello, but her gaze meets Romeo’s. "I told Daniel you wouldn't bother making up a girlfriend. I told him you're proud to sleep with a different woman every week—" she takes a drag off her e-cig and turns to the direction of the wind to blow out a cloud of cotton candy and marijuana vapor. "Sorry, two women a week. I told him, ‘Danny, sweetheart, why do you think your brother lives and dies for your approval?’ And he said, ‘you don't get it Cyn'. He's so hopped up on this business just because Dad said it was a great idea once before he died. Like Dad would have known a good business idea if it fell on his lawn mower.’" She takes another drag. "But you know Danny. He's like a dog with a bone."

I don't know Danny—uh, Daniel, actually—but it's kind of hard to imagine this woman with a guy who everyone describes as uptight.

Not that she seems laid back, exactly. She has the anxious energy a lot of regular pot-smokers do. They insist the herb helps them calm down, but their speed of conversation suggests otherwise.

But, hey, I'm not her therapist. Or an expert on legal drugs. Maybe it works for her. None of my business, really.

"Sorry, I'm being rude." She offers her hand. "I'm Cynthia. You must be Ivy."

I shake.

"Do you want a hit?" She holds up the e-cig. "Rome, same offer goes to you, if you promise to keep this between us."

"I think the stench of state fair is going to give you away, Cyn," he says.

She flips him off.

He smiles. It's a smile I haven't seen on him before. A completely honest one.

How did he describe her? Did he describe her?

She is gorgeous. It's not hard to see how he'd develop a crush. And there's nothing wrong with a crush, in theory. Really, they can be great for people in long term relationships. Give them new relationship energy to bring back to their partner.

And we're not in any sort of relationship.

So, it's none of my business.

But I am curious.

Or maybe I'm too into him, too jealous, seeing signs of interest in other women elsewhere just because my ex didn't have any in me.

"I don't know how you stand that shit, Cyn." Romeo shakes his head. "It's vile. Pot and fake cotton candy shouldn’t be combined."

"I have gummies," she says. "If you want one, Ivy."

"So that's how you put up with Daniel," Romeo teases.

She flips him off again.

"I thought you quit," Romeo says.

"Is that what Danny said?" she asks.

"Not exactly," Romeo says.

She shakes her head. "He knows better. We fight about it. But it could be worse, right? I could be sticking a needle in my arm." She looks to me. "Does it smell that bad?"

"I'm not a big fan of the smell of pot," I admit.

"See, tact, how hard is that?" she asks. "Let me put it away." She blows out her last puff and returns the vape pen to the back pocket of her shorts.