Convenience and Compatibility (8 page)

“I’ve been okay. How about you?”

“Alright.”

We look at each for a moment, both
speechless. I know I’ve made him sad and I want to get away before
he says anything more and we venture deeper from superfluous
niceties.

“Well, thank you again.” I open the door, and
Greg grabs my hand.

I look back to him, surprised, and wait for
him to tell me what he clearly wanted to say. The longer he waits
to speak the greater the uneasy feeling I have spreads across my
body.

“I still love you Mallory.”

Much, much worse than I thought. I stare at
him, unable to formulate a response that will end this conversation
without me being a bitch. It’s a no-win situation for either of us,
so I do what I have to.

“Thank you for the ride Greg.”

I pull my hands out of his and scramble out
of the car before he can say anything more.

The apartment is silent and I go to Tara’s
door and hesitate before knocking, listening, but there’s no sound
inside.

“Tara?” There’s no answer and I walk
away.

She must have stayed the night at Adam’s
house. Even though I know I will tell her about my evening, I’m
relieved that I can put it off for now. I know she will
disapprove.

Why did I have to run into Greg? It was the
first time I have seen him since New Year’s, what horrible timing.
I know it hurt him to see me coming from Dean’s house. Wait, what
was he doing on that road at this time of day – it’s a Friday. I
laugh at the thought that he has a GPS microchip implanted
somewhere on my body.

I’m dressing in my room when I hear Tara come
through the front door. I stop and listen; it doesn’t sound like
Adam is with her. Of course, he must be working. I imagine Greg
getting back to work and telling Adam about our encounter. Shit!
I’d better tell Tara first and hopefully get her on my side – I
know what Adam will think.

There’s a knock on my door.

“Come in.”

“Hi.” She sits down on my bed, coffee in
hand, a big grin on her face.

“What’s up?”

“Adam asked me to marry him last night.” Tara
holds up her ring finger and starts giggling.

I squeal in excitement and squeeze her tight.
“Oh Tara, congratulations! Let’s go out to lunch and
celebrate.”

“Okay, let me take a quick shower first.”

Tara leaves and I take off my sweats; I can’t
wear this for lunch.

“Let’s have lunch, then go shopping,” I yell
down the hall, excited for a day with just Tara.

“Perfect!”

Chapter 9

We’re siting at lunch, our Mimosas served,
when Tara asks what I did last night.

“I spent the night with Dean, the guy I
started seeing.” I casually say and watch carefully for her
reaction. Surprisingly, she looks happy for me.

“Really? How was it?”

“Pretty amazing actually.”

Tara smiles and I feel like I have my old
friend back. I relax a little, less cautious.

“I was walking home this morning,” her
eyebrows raise a little, but I ignore them and continue. “And I ran
into Greg.” I let out a little nervous laugh. “It was a little
awkward Tara. Me walking home from being with another guy.”

“And why were you walking home? Why didn’t he
drive you?” I knew she was going to ask me this.

“I insisted really. He was working and looked
really busy, and I wanted to clear my head a bit.” I can hear
myself rambling, trying to convince her that it was my choice –
which is the truth. Tara shrugs her shoulders and I know that
there’s no point. She’s made her mind up already about Dean and I
won’t be able to change it. I change the subject.

“So, do you have a date for the wedding?”

Tara’s face lights up and she tells me all
about the wedding. Their plan is to be married this fall at Adam’s
parent’s church, the reception to be determined. She drones on
about colors and dress shopping and asks me to be the maid of
honor. The whole lunch consists of Tara talking about her wedding
and I know there will be no reprieve of the topic until after they
are married. I remember near the end of lunch that I need to ask
Tara about dinner this evening. I decide to pay for lunch, which
will put her in a good mood, and ask her nonchalantly.

“So, are we still on for dinner tonight?”

“Of course!”

“Is it alright if I bring Dean? I’d love it
if you met him.”

“Um, sure. I guess so.”

Great. She doesn’t ask anything else, so I
don’t bring it up further. We get to BCBG and try on dresses to
wear for the evening. I find a beautiful floral dress, which is
tight in all the right places – my ass and tits look great. I don’t
know Dean very well, but I know he will love it.

We head home mid-afternoon, after getting
drinks from Starbucks, and decide to clean the apartment before the
guys come over this evening and the caffeine buzz wanes. I remember
Dean’s spotless house and can imagine what Dean will think when he
sees our apartment.

Oh shit! I remember that I need to let Dean
know what the plans are. I call his phone and he answers on the
second ring.

“Hi Mallory.” His deep voice reminds me of
our evening together and I miss him. I manage a weak little hello,
then remember that I am a confident bitch who wants to fuck this
guy again. I start again a little more composed.

“How was your day?”

“Busy. I missed you though.”

“That’s sweet, I missed you too.” I pause and
he says nothing. “Did you still want to do dinner tonight?”

“Definitely.” This makes me smile and I let
out a little laugh.

“What’s so funny?”

“Um, nothing. Sorry. Can you be here by
six?”

“Okay.”

“Great. I’ll see you soon. Bye.”

“Bye.”

At 5:30 Tara and I are ready, making drinks
in the kitchen, laughing. It feels good to be carefree with Tara
again; things have been strained for so long. I say a little prayer
to myself that the evening goes just as well.

There’s a knock on the door and Tara let’s
Adam in. They start making out in the entryway and I laugh at them.
“You know, I bet there is time for a quickie.”

“Sorry Tara.” Adam looks to me grinning like
a fool in love.

“Did Tara tell you that I have someone
joining us for dinner?”

He raises his eyes at me and looks to Tara,
“Nooo. I thought…” Adam doesn’t finish his sentence, but instead
shakes his head and pours himself a drink.

I wonder what that was about, but Tara starts
talking before I can ask.

“Sorry, I forgot. Here’s a drink Mallory. I
really like your outfit.”

“Um, thanks Tara.”

Both of them are looking at me as I sip my
drink and I wonder what’s up.

“I hear you ran into Greg today.” Adam
starts, never breaking eye contact and waiting for my response.

“Yea.” I walk away from this hot mess and sit
down on the sofa, taking a large swig of my cocktail. Fuck them.
I’m now a little more nervous about the evening. Maybe I should
cancel with Dean? If they’re going to attack me like this before he
shows up, I can only imagine what it will be like when Dean shows
up. I can see an evening ahead of me that is sure to end in
disaster. I pick up my phone, about to text Dean, when the intercom
buzzes. I stand up but Adam takes it upon himself to answer.

“Yup.” He sounds like a cowboy and I roll my
eyes.

Dean hesitates, I’m sure he must be looking
at the nameplate, making sure he pressed the right button. I hope
that he has the inner reserves to handle Adam’s shit.

“It’s Dean,” he says back, confidently. Go
Dean!

Adam buzzes him in and opens the door.

I give him a dirty look. “Be nice,” I
whisper.

Adam rolls his eyes and gives me a look like
he doesn’t give a fuck. Great! I down the rest of my drink and am
pouring another when Dean comes through the door.

I stand back and watch the boys introduce
each other and shake hands. I then introduce Dean to Tara and he
takes her hand as well. He looks nervous – but hot. He’s wearing
his grey pea coat and crisp jeans with carefully messy hair. He has
that ‘I don’t give a damn what I look like’ look, but you can tell
it was done with purpose. It’s incredibly sexy.

Dean walks over to me and gives me a hug. He
whispers in my ear, “You look hot.” I can feel myself flushing as
he pulls away, not wanting Adam and Tara to see my reaction. For
some reason I’m not comfortable with them seeing me with someone
other than Greg.

“Would you like a drink?” I don’t look at him
– embarrassed at his effect on me.

“No, I’ll have one at dinner.”

I look up and he’s leaning against the
counter, smiling. My thoughts subconsciously turn darker: his
penis, his mouth on mine, having him in me, this morning and
fucking me hard from behind. Ahhh. It’s all too much. I excuse
myself and go to my room, grabbing my purse and coat. When I get
there I shut the door and sit on my bed. I can do this. I sip my
drink, silently praying that the evening will go well. Tara calls
from the other room, seeing if I’m ready. I down my drink, grab my
things, and join them.

“Ready.”

While I was in my room it was decided that
Dean will drive. I’m guessing Adam and Tara have downed a couple of
shots and I know that in no way am I able to drive. Dean holds my
hand as we walk downstairs and outside to his car. He opens the
door for me and Adam whistles.

“Damn, nice car Dean.”

“Thanks.” I love how Dean seems to blow it
off that he has money and nice things. Although I don’t think he is
very wealthy. I know his parents have money and I assume that Dean
is just comfortable.

After some brief deliberations, mostly from
the boys, we decide to head downtown for dinner. We settle on a
small Italian restaurant on Lower Queen Anne. By the time we park,
I’m feeling the full effect of the two drinks I had. I sit in the
car and wait for Dean to let me out, pretty sure I’ll fall down if
I don’t have him to steady me. It was only two drinks, I keep
telling myself. I hate being such a lightweight. One good thing is
that I’m no longer nervous about the evening.

Adam and Tara go into the restaurant first,
I’m about to follow, when Dean stops me.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, just a little nervous about tonight so
I drank a tiny bit too much before you picked me up.” I shrug my
shoulders apologetically as this seems to be a common theme for me
when we are together. I look up at him with the best puppy-dog eyes
I can muster and walk inside the restaurant. I hope he doesn’t
think I’m a lush.

We’re seated in a booth, the boys and girls
facing one another. I’m thinking it’s probably not such a good idea
to have the guys opposite one another, but don’t want to make a big
deal out of it and say nothing. We sit down and Dean’s left hand
goes straight to my leg. I’m pretending to ignore it while I look
at my menu. I just order water and am relieved when they bring a
basket of bread. Everyone else has ordered drinks and we sit there
silently, awkwardly, until Adam breaks the silence.

“So how did you two meet?” I open my mouth to
answer but Dean beats me to the punch.

“Mallory gave me some first aid at a health
fair.”

I interject, looking to Tara, “The Health and
Wellness Fair last September.” She nods with recognition.

“Weren’t you going out with Greg then?” Adam
stares Dean down as he says this. I’m not sure if he is trying to
make me mad or piss Dean off.

“No Adam.” I give Tara a look like she needs
to rein her man in. She shrugs and it’s then that I know she will
be no help tonight. I just hope Adam backs off and gives Dean a
chance. I hope they both do.

Dean looks to me and continues, ignoring
Adam, “And then we went out again in December, but really started
dating this week.”

I look to Adam again, who is eyeing Dean
suspiciously.

“Why did you wait so long to start
dating?”

I roll my eyes at Adam, willing him to shut
up. I know he means well, but sometimes he acts like the
overprotective brother that he’s not. Why does he have to ask so
many questions? I’m not sure how comfortable Dean feels sharing
about the last three years, especially with people he barely knows.
Dean takes it all in stride, talking about the accident and
subsequent head injury like it was no big deal. He squeezes my
knee, his way I think, of telling me that this is okay. I like him
even more for it.

Our food arrives and I’m feeling a little
better. I try to steer the conversation away from Dean and I. “So,
tell me about the engagement.” I look to Dean, “Sorry, I forgot to
tell you, Tara and Adam got engaged last night.”

“Congratulations!” Dean looks genuinely happy
for them.

Tara and Adam both say thank you, a little
too politely, more uptight than gracious. I’m hoping that Dean
doesn’t notice how guarded they are acting. My expectation that the
subject has been changed shatters with the next thing that comes
out of Adam’s mouth.

“Why did you make Mallory walk home this
morning?” He is staring down Dean, like he is my overprotective
father and Dean has taking my virginity. I’m pissed – more than
pissed.

“What the fuck Adam?” I feel Dean’s grip on
my knee, his way of telling me to calm down? Or is he pissed also?
“This isn’t your courtroom, and you’re not allowed to ask anymore
questions.”

He shrugs his shoulders. “I’ll be on my best
behavior, I promise.”

I smile at Adam, “Thank you.” He’s usually
not such an asshole; I don’t know what’s come over him tonight.

“Now, tell me about the engagement.”

This is Tara’s cue to talk and she drones on
and on. She monopolizes most of the conversation the rest of the
evening, bless her heart. I’m interested because I love her and
she’s my best friend but my mind wanders to Dean, and I feel bad
that he has to sit through this. Dinner together was definitely a
bad idea. My only consolation is that he may be enjoying touching
my leg, knowing that he will get some later. I look over at him and
drool a little at the way his slightly messy hair contrasts with
his preppy outfit.