AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Lila."
"What? I’m just saying keeping sex in the bedroom sounds like a great idea. I just don't know that it's possible."
"So you think I should say no?"
"I don't think you should say no if that's something you want, I just wonder if it's something that is actually feasible and well-thought-out."
I lick my lips as I listen to her words. She has a point. I've never been a proponent for friends with benefits because I've never actually thought that it could work. I'd always thought that people would catch feelings, but I don't really see me catching feelings for someone like Kingston and I sure don't see him catching feelings for me.
"I mean, I think it could be really fun, and if at any time it's not fun, we won't do it anymore. Maybe, in fact, I'll do it and then I'll try signing up for a dating show and then when I get cast, I can just end things so that it's not messy and I can just give myself wholeheartedly to the process of the show without feeling horny because I haven't had any in a long time."
There's silence on the other end.
"Are you there, Lila?"
"Um, I'm here, but I'm still trying to process what you just said."
"What? I think it's reasonable. I bet you a lot of times the people who go on those shows end up with someone that's not that great because they're so horny and in lust so they go by physical attraction. But if I've been getting some with a really good-looking guy, then I can really focus on personality and ensuring that we're a good fit outside of just the physical attraction. So maybe you're right. Maybe Love is Blind is the show for me."
"Skye, you are saying that you're going to enter into a friends with benefits situation with a boss you find quite annoying so that you can have better luck on a reality TV dating show that you haven't even applied for, that wasn't even in your mind ten minutes ago until I spoke to you on the phone?"
I chuckle. "You know me. I'm quick on my feet and fast in my brain."
"I think that you will use any excuse to enter into this arrangement and I'm going to be honest; it sounds fun. It sounds exciting and Kingston is gorgeous. He has the bluest eyes I've ever seen in my life and that dark silky hair? Shit, he could be a Greek god. He could be a Roman god. He could be a movie star. I understand why you're attracted to him. I understand why you want to have some fun." She pauses. "I just don't want to see you getting hurt, you know? You're my friend and I love you and I care about you and I want to ensure that all your dreams come true. And I know you want to meet a great man."
"I do," I say softly. "I was thinking about it earlier today. I want to find true love."
"And do you think you're going to find true love by banging your boss?" she asks. "I'm sorry. That was crude and I don't like to be crude, but..."
"But nothing. It's a valid question. No, I don't think that I'm going to find true love by entering into an arrangement with my boss. But it's fun. And you know what I've decided?"
"No. What have you decided?"
"I've decided that I'm going to live for the here and now. If tomorrow I meet a great guy and I think there's potential, I'll just look Kingston in the eyes and I'll say, ‘While what we had was fun, it's time for me to move on because I've met someone that can maybe give me what I really want.’"
"Do you really think it will be as simple as that?" she asks softly.
"I do, and I don't know if I'm lying to myself or not, but I really and truly do."
I look out the window and stare at the people walking down the street as the cab zooms down the road and I wonder if I'm lying to myself. I wonder if I really and truly can be in an arrangement with someone like Kingston without developing feelings, without it going haywire or getting awkward and messy.
"And I mean, honestly, Lila, it's not like this is my dream job. If everything goes to shit, I'll just quit and I'll find something else to do. I'm nothing if not resourceful."
"I know," she says. "And I understand, and trust me, if at any time it feels like it's too much or too messy or you just want to chat, I'll be here. Okay?"
"I know, and that's why I love you so much. You're always there for me. So maybe we can grab lunch this week?"
"That sounds great."
"I think we're about to pull up to the building, so I'll see you soon? I'll talk to you later, girl. Bye."
I hang up and sit back in the seat, closing my eyes. My heart is thudding at the thought of seeing Kingston again. The cab pulls over and stops and the driver looks in the rearview mirror.
"This is the address I was given. You sure you want to get out?"
I stare at him and nod slightly while grabbing my folders.
"I don't know you and you don't know me," he says. "But friends with benefits usually ends up as enemies with nothing."
