by Jenna Payne
“You still on the couch, man?” Curtis asked, slamming the door.
“Yep. I work forty-eight hours, fighting fires so yes, my ass is not moving for the next twelve hours,” Mark said, popping potato chips in his mouth.
“I hear you, man. Is the game on?”
“Yep. We’re losing as usual. God, football has just gone to shit. Our defense is lousy this year – they just sacked the quarterback.”
“Yeah it looks like a wash out. I’m getting a beer. Want one?”
“Yep. Hey so I was thinking about coffee shop girl,” Mark said, groaning as he hopped of the couch.
Curtis fished through the grocery bags and pulled out two beers. He had forgotten about Mark’s potential conquest and the last thing he wanted to deal with was playing wing man for a woman Mark would never ever call again. It was just a waste of time and all he wanted to focus on was making a good impression with Jessica.
“Yeah? What about her?” Curtis asked, tossing Mark a beer.
“You couldn’t open it for me, man?” Mark asked, rolling his eyes in mock annoyance.
“I guess football’s not the only thing that’s gotten soft. Use the edge of the counter.”
“You just yelled at me last week that I was ‘chipping the granite’ or some crap.”
“Yeah well the opener’s in the dishwasher and you and I both know you didn’t run the dirty dishes.”
“Point taken,” Mark said, opening the beer on the edge of the counter.
“So, what’s this about your random girl?”
“I think I’m going to go see her.”
Curtis could barely contain his excitement. He was aiming for nonchalance but he felt to relieved to mask the smile bubbling on his face.
“Try not to be so excited. I’m not going to marry her. I’m just curious.”
“Curious, huh? You mean you don’t want to live with me for another ten years?”
Mark rolled his eyes and leaned on the counter top. His eyebrows were knit together like he was deep in thought.
“Look, Mark, you’re my best friend, but come on, man. You have to admit that two bros living together in their thirties is a bit much.”
Mark’s head shot up at him.
“Wait, what? Where the hell is this coming from?”
Curtis shook his head, trying to find the right words.
“I just—I met a girl today. She seems really sweet and it got me thinking.”
“Some girl? There is no way some girl in the frozen food section is making you want to back out of our friendship,” Mark said, slamming the glass down.
Beer splattered on the counter but Mark didn’t seem to notice.
“Backing out of a lease is not the same as backing out of a friendship.”
“Where the hell is this coming from, Curt?”
“You don’t want to, I don’t know, have a family some day? I mean what about getting married, having kids, growing up?”
Mark bit his lip and balled up his fist. This is just how Curtis expected him to react. Mark had been in the military for years before becoming a fireman. He never talked about his experience in the military and whenever it came up, Mark was quick to change the subject. Curtis wondered if it was because Mark never had a real adolescence that he was acting out now. Mark was the burly, loud guy talking at the bar to strangers, but to Curtis he was a man who served two tours in Iraq and was from a super strict military family that he never talked to. If anyone could get through to Mark, it would have to be Curtis.
“We’re still going to be friends, Mark. Look, I know you hate change, but it has to happen eventually, right? I mean what if you fall in love with her?”
“You mean what if you fall in love with grocery store girl, am I right?” Mark scoffed, raked his fingers through his hair and walked back over to the couch.
Curtis could see he had shut down and the conversation was over. Mark was not a serious talker. He was going inside of himself with the demons he never talked about. Curtis wanted to slam his beer against the wall, but it would not do any good. Curtis felt torn in half. He was trying to be empathetic, but he was suffocating under the same roof as Mark. It was not fair. They were not rookie firefighters any more. They were men and it was time they started acting like it.
“Look, Mark, let’s just focus on meeting our girls before we act like this is the end of the world, alright?” Curtis said, looking at the back of Mark’s head.
Mark only slumped his shoulder and kept his eyes on the television.
“Or not. I’m going to my room. I’ll see you in the morning for work. I hope it works out with your date tomorrow.”
Mark still did not respond and Curtis was just not in the mood to coddle him. Grabbing his beer and the deli sandwich he bought from the grocery store he shut himself up in his room. He plopped on the bed and heard Mark crank the television up louder. He was being childish and Curtis could not say he was surprised.
Curtis pulled out his phone, kicked off his shoes and laid on his bed. He twirled the phone is his hand and thought of freckles and the bubbly laugh of his ‘grocery girl’. He wanted to text her. However, he knew that the text would not set him apart. He knew there was something about her that he just wanted to know better. He jumped up, took a deep breath and decided he wanted to stand out, and to be honest he wanted to get to know her.
“Hey Jessica? It’s, um, Curt from—the parking lot,” Curtis said, laughing nervously, “Just wanted to make sure you got home safe. Um, do you have a sec to talk?”
*****
Jessica
Jessica yawned as she dragged herself to the coffee shop for her morning pick-me-up. She almost fell asleep in yoga this morning. She would usually go to bed at 10:00pm like clockwork, but to her surprise Curtis had called her. Called her! It was such an unexpected and pleasant surprise. No one called anymore. It was all email and text messages. She had to admit, she liked him. He was warm and funny and charming and she had already seen him face-to-face so she knew he was extremely attractive. In fact, the only reason she was going to coffee was to be polite and tell Mark that she was not interested.
When she got to the double glass doors and saw him sitting in a corner wearing his blue fireman’s uniform, which seemed to fit his broad shoulders and biceps like a glove, her stomach sank. He looked gorgeous. It was like her body was evolutionarily drawn to him and all of her hormones were suddenly going crazy. To her surprise he had two cups of coffee at the table.
“Hey you,” Jessica said, smiling shyly at him.
“Hey,” he said, smiling warmly and rising from the seat.
She gave him a big hug and he smelled woodsy and masculine.
“So can I get your name now?” he asked, pointing at the seat.
Jessica laughed and sat across from him.
“Sure, I guess so. I’m Jessica. Is this for me?” Jessica asked, pointing at the coffee cup.
“Um, yeah. I took a shot. I remembered that you had a green tea latte when I met you so I figured I would surprise you.”
Jessica was sure her eyes were about to fall out of her head. Her brute was actually being nice.
“Look, Jessica, I’m not the most… um… sensitive guy and I was just trying to do something—”
“Mark, it’s fine. It’s my favorite drink. You should try it sometime. You might like it.”
He made a face and shook his head. It made Jessica smile.
“I like my coffee black, but I’ll take your word for it.”
“You’re missing out. So how have you been since I last saw you?”
“Nothing but thinking about you. Looks, like you got prettier since I last saw you.”
“Does that really work for you?”
“Sometimes.”
“Yeah? Well, I’m not a one-liner type of girl.”
He leaned back in the chair and appraised her up and down.
“And yet you’re here with me.”
“Nice try, Romeo. I would be here anyway.�
�
“I had to try. What type of girl are you then?”
“That’s a loaded question, but I like working out obviously. I’m really into the outdoors so when I’m not going to yoga, I bike.”
“You bike? Really? Like spin? Because that doesn’t count.”
Jessica laughed and slapped his shoulders playfully.
“No, I actually hate spin. My roommate loves it though.”
“God, I learned early group activities are not for me.”
“Oh yeah? Why is that?”
“I like my own company too much.”
“Interesting. Then why are you having coffee with me?”
Mark shrugged and leaned his elbows on the table.
“To be honest, Jessica, I’m still trying to figure that out. I mean you’re clearly beautiful, but I’ve got to be honest, I don’t even do the girlfriend thing but I was shaking when I saw you coming through those doors.”
Jessica bit her bottom lip, trying to remain impassive. She could not tell if this was a line or not and she had every intention of leaving but she was curious.
“Is that another line then?” Jessica asked, leaning back on her chair and crossing her arms.
“Nope. I had a pretty serious talk with my roommate last night and it had me thinking.”
“About? And please tell me roommate is not code for wife.”
Mark laughed a deep throaty laugh that made Jessica smile and drop her guard a little.
“You have a lot of spunk. I like it, and no I’m not married.”
“Well, that’s a relief.”
“Oh yeah? So you like me then?”
“I don’t know you.”
“You don’t have to know me to like me. You have to like me to like me.”
“How poetic.”
“We should go for a bike ride. Show me what you’re made of.”
Jessica tilted her head to the side, trying to get a read on him. She had never had a date outside before. It was always dinner, a movie or a combination of the two.
“Is that a date?”
“Of course.”
“Why of course?”
“’Cause I like you.”
“Just like that, huh? What makes you think I’ll say yes, Mark?”
“I don’t know that you’ll say yes. I just know I think I would enjoy lapping you.”
Jessica laughed loudly. This man was really something else. Usually her complaint was men never saying what was on their mind. Now she had a man in front of her that said everything that was on his mind. She could not tell if it was refreshing or terrifying.
“Where exactly did you plan on lapping me?”
“There are trails north of here. It’s pretty flat. Good for racing.”
“Oh, you mean Apopka South? I love those trails. Wait a sec, who says I need flat trails?”
“Um, you just said you liked those trails,” Mark said, leaning forward and raising an eyebrow at her.
“True, but I don’t like them just because they’re easy.”
“I would not dream of accusing you of that, Jessica.”
He flashed her the sexiest smile she had ever seen. It was warm and yet full of mischief. She kind of liked it.
“Should I plan on eating before?”
“Hint taken. I will bring food. It will be a picnic.”
“I’m sorry. I’m having trouble picturing the tough guy firefighter planning a picnic.”
“Well, I’m more than a tough guy firefighter. I also have no problem lapping you in mountain bike race.”
“You’re on. What happens if I win?”
He looked her up and down and she could tell his mind was in the same dark place as hers.
“Let’s just say you can bring the picnic blanket, Jess, and I’ll follow your lead.”
*****
Curtis
His dinner date with Jessica could not come fast enough. They had talked everyday leading up to the date and everything reminded him of her. She had the greatest sense of humor and he found himself laughing periodically though the day thinking about something she said or text messaged him. Curtis had barely noticed that he and Mark were barely on speaking terms. It seemed they both were completely engrossed in their girls and could care less about the other person. This was not what Curtis wanted. He wanted a smooth transition, just two adults coming to a rational conclusion that roommates should be reserved for college days and cheesy sitcoms.
They were back at the loft and after hours of silence in the truck, Curtis was enduring mind-numbing silence at home.
“Hey man,” Curtis said to Mark, grabbing his car keys, “I know you’re just gonna ignore me, but I’m headed out on my date. If all goes well I’d really like you to meet her, man.”
Mark looked up from the television and proffered a weak nod.
“Have fun,” Mark said in a low voice.
“He speaks!”
Mark rolled his eyes and stared down at his phone.
“You never told me how coffee girl went.”
“She has a name, man.”
Curtis held up his hands in mock surrender.
“Sorry, just making conversation. How was it?”
“It was cool. We’re going mountain biking and maybe—a picnic.”
Curtis was sure his jaw hit the floor.
“Wait, like a date? Jesus, I’ve got to meet her.”
“See? This is why I didn’t tell you, man. You blow everything out of proportion.”
“Um, no way I’m feeling bad about this one. I’ve seen three girls walk out of your bedroom half naked on a weekday so I think I’ve earned the right to be a bit shocked to hear you talk about picnics.”
“Whatever.”
“Look, I’ve got to get going to beat traffic. At least tell me her name.”
Mark stiffened his shoulders and kept typing on his phone.
“Mark, hello? I’m talking to you, asshole.”
“Hang on, I’m texting her now. What’d you say?”
“Never mind. Well, maybe we can double date then. I’ll see you later.”
“If you do it right I’ll see you in the morning,” Mark said, winking at Curtis.
“It’s a first date.”
“First date, first fuck same difference. Bring a condom.”
Curtis ignored him and walked out to his truck. He had a condom. No shame in being prepared.
At the restaurant, salsa music was blaring and delicious spices were wafting through the air. The restaurant was packed but he could see Jessica as soon as she walked in. She was wearing a green, halter maxi dress that clung to her curves like a glove, her straight red hair was piled on top of her head in a messy bun with wispy tendrils framing her pretty face.
“You look beautiful,” Curtis said, kissing her cheek.
“You missed,” Jessica said, grinning up at him.
He smiled and leaned down, kissing her softly on her lips. She tasted like strawberries and if it was not for the crowd, he would have his hand under the dress and her spread eagle on the table.
“That was better,” Jessica said, smiling brightly at him.
“Easy, I’m trying to be a gentleman. You really do look great.”
“You mean you don’t prefer my dress with tire marks and boot prints,” Jessica said with a cheeky smile.
This is why he liked her. She was funny and seemed not to take life too seriously. The rest of the conversation was just as fluid. The more he looked at her, the more he could feel himself falling for her. He was drawn to her in a way that felt magnetic, and even after appetizers, entrees and wine, he could still taste her on his lips. To make it even more intense, she had been dragging her heels up his ankles. It was sending a wave of electricity right to his groin.
“You’re playing with fire teasing me like that,” Curtis said, stealing a bite of her dessert.
“Oh yeah? Well, what are you going to do about it?”
“I really am trying to be a gentleman, Jess,” Curtis
said, dragging his thumb over full pink lips.
“Too bad. I’m still thinking about that kiss,” Jessica said, winking at him.
Curtis dropped two fifties on the table and rose to his feet. He extended his hand to Jessica and she took it with a bright smile. With his free hand he shot a simple text message to Mark: Need the apartment.
Mark texted him a winky face emoji and Curtis hoped that meant that Mark would leave immediately. It seemed a bit early in the relationship to spring for sex in his truck, and Curtis had washed his sheets just in case.
“Want to come over to my place for a bit?” Curtis asked, stroking her knuckles with his thumb.
She nodded and bit her bottom lip. It seemed everything was finally falling into place. Jessica, so far, really was panning out to be the girl of his dreams and everything felt so right with her.
“Will your roommate mind?” Jessica asked, as Curtis opened his truck door for her.
“Nope, he was just leaving. Knowing him, he’s in some other woman’s bed.”
“Sounds like a character,” Jessica said, laughing.
“Oh, you have no idea.”
*****
Jessica
To Jessica’s surprise, Curtis’s place was quite cozy. It was a loft on the second story in the business district with brick accents. It was surprisingly clean which made her a bit nervous since she could be a bit untidy. Cynthia was the clean one in their roommate arrangement.
“Where’s your roommate?” Jessica asked, scanning the dimly lit living room.
“I told you, he’s out, probably with some girl,” Curtis said, kissing her cheek. “Can I get you something to drink. I have beer and some whiskey.”
“I’m fine thanks,” Jessica said, throwing her arms around his neck.
She knew Curtis was really too much of a gentleman to make the first move so she would have to nudge him.
“Yes you are,” Curtis said, leaning down and kissing her.
She moaned as his hands ran down her exposed back and started untying the knot holding her dress up in the back. Her fingers were tangled in his hair as she felt his tongue move in her mouth. Her gentleman was a very good kisser and not just on her lips. He kissed her neck and pulled the dress down, dragging his lips across her shoulder blades.