Friends Without Benefits

by Dena Blake

  “Yeah, I guess so.” She shrugged and took a bite of her biscuit.

  “Thus the reason none of the girls you set me up with worked out. They were all super high maintenance.” The pot whistled. Dex flipped off the burner, dumped a couple of scoops of coffee into the French press, and then added the boiling water. Then she took out a tin of tea, fished out a teabag, put it in a cup, and added water.

  Grace raised an eyebrow. “Are you saying I’m high maintenance?” She broke off a small piece of biscuit and slid it into her mouth.

  Dex shifted her eyes wildly from side to side. “High is an understatement. I’d say more like skyscrapingly so. No, Jack-and-the-beanstalk high.” She took a bite of breakfast sandwich.

  Grace blew out a short breath. “I am not. And that’s not very nice of you to say.”

  Dex raised her eyebrows and tilted her head “Yes. You are. Have been since we were kids.” She waited a beat before attempting to soothe the statement that seemed to shock Grace. “I’m just being truthful.” She smiled at the scowl dampening Grace’s beautiful smile, picked up the fancy tea tin, and pointed to the label. “The tea that comes in sachets. The only kind you drink.” She opened the cabinet and tossed it back onto the shelf. “And, honestly, I love you for it.” She pushed the plunger on the coffee and poured herself a cup. “I’ve learned a lot of things I never would have if it weren’t for you.”

  Grace’s scowl morphed into the smile that Dex adored. “Really?”

  “Uh-huh.” She nodded, planted her elbows on the counter, and stared into Grace’s startling blue eyes. “Plus, you can be super sweet when I’ve done something for you. It kind of makes me all gooey inside.”

  Grace smiled softly. “Do you have any cream?”

  “Just for you.” Her voice ended with a soft lilt as she took it out of the refrigerator and added a splash to Grace’s tea. She took a spoon from the drawer and dropped it into the cup.

  “Do you think you’ll be that way with Emma?” Grace mixed the cream slowly with the spoon as she stared into the cup.

  “I don’t know, but man, that girl can kiss.”

  “You kissed her?” Grace’s voice rose, and her cup tipped slightly, sending small droplets of tea across the counter.

  Dex spun a couple of paper towels from the roll and wiped up the mess. “She insisted on driving me home so I didn’t have to take the L.”

  “Well, that was presumptuous of her.” Grace sat back in the stool, seemingly not at all interested in her breakfast anymore.

  “Presumptuous? Really?” She took a drink of coffee. “I thought it was kind of sweet.”

  Grace’s raised an eyebrow. “So, she didn’t spend the night, and you didn’t sleep with her, right?”

  “No. She’s not here, is she?” She shook her head and laughed.

  “For all I know, she could’ve left after you—”

  “Stop. You know I don’t do that anymore.” The thought had crossed her mind more than once last night, but she wanted to see Emma again, and that wasn’t the way she wanted to start whatever it was they were starting.

  “Not even with blind date number three?” Grace asked.

  “Especially not with blind date number three. Thank God I didn’t give her my number.”

  “But you gave it to Emma.”

  “I did.” She pulled her eyebrows together. “What’s going on with you? You’re acting like you don’t want me to like her. You set the whole thing up, remember?”

  “Well, technically, Brent set it up. She’s his friend. I don’t know her all that well.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll go slowly with this one.” She smiled, thinking about the evening. “I like her.”

  “Well, okay then.” Grace straightened her stance. “Mission accomplished. Need any pointers on how to keep her interested?” She broke off another piece of biscuit and put it into her mouth.

  “Thanks, but no. I got this.” Emma was nothing like Grace. Her help would probably make her run far, far away with lightning speed. Dex really did like Emma and wanted to get to know her better. Much better.

  Once Dex got Grace out the door, she picked up her phone and looked at the text she’d received from Emma the night before. She read the message again, and her stomach swirled. Panda jumped on the chair and stared at her in her usual manner. “I should really wait a few hours, right?” She set the phone on the counter and fished a scoop of cat food from the bag. “I don’t want to appear too needy, right?” The cat hopped off the stool and followed her to the dish. The cat food clinked as she dumped it into the bowl. Panda glanced up momentarily before chowing down. “You’re right. I’ll text her. Who cares if she thinks I’m needy. It appears I am.” She picked up her phone and typed.

  I know it’s early, but I was wondering if you might be free to get together today.

  She set the phone down and tried not to freak out when she didn’t get a response right away. Fifteen minutes later when the phone chimed, she sprinted across the room and picked it up.

  Sorry! I was in the shower. I’m absolutely free today and would love to see you again.

  Her heartbeat doubled as she typed.

  Awesome! There’s a jazz festival in Hyde Park, or if you don’t like jazz, we can hit the Taco Festival on Southport Avenue.

  The phone chimed again before she could set it down.

  I’d love both.

  Okay, then, first the tacos, then the jazz.

  Sounds wonderful.

  Pick you up at 11?

  I have to be over your way this morning, so I’ll pick you up, okay?

  She typed in Okay. See you then, and debated whether to add a smiley face. She added it, hit the Send button, and was immediately rewarded with a smiley face in return.

  Panda snaked between her legs. “Good call, buddy.” She scratched under her chin before rushing up the stairs to take a shower.

  * * *

  Emma pulled up in front of Dex’s house and sat for a minute admiring the modern landscape. The design was crazy intricate, with colored gravel defining small pathways. Everything was arranged in symmetry. Flower beds were contained within crisp lined areas near the house, and giant pots filled with pencil hollies flanked the porch. Dex had an undeniable talent. How had she come about her profession? She picked up her phone, clicked on Dex’s name, and smiled at the text she’d received from her last night.

  I had an unexpectedly awesome time tonight, thanks to you.

  She let the quick jolt buzz through her and then quickly scrolled down and typed in a message letting Dex know she was here. Within a minute or two, Dex sprinted out the door. She couldn’t help but notice the beautiful smile on her face when she slid into the passenger seat.

  “Hey, you,” Emma said, trying not to give away the ridiculously crazy excitement she felt to see her again. Her stomach vaulted like she was on the downside of a roller-coaster ride.

  “Hey,” Dex said with a huge grin.

  Emma lost the battle and grinned in return. She took in a breath to settle herself. “Your landscaping is even more beautiful in the daylight.”

  “Thanks.” Dex’s cheeks reddened. “I’ve been so busy lately. I don’t always have time to work on my own yard.”

  Emma’s stomach flip-flopped. She hadn’t thought Dex could get more beautiful, but the blush had done it. She cleared her throat and focused back on the bushes. “Maybe you could give me some ideas on how to landscape my parents’ lawn. My dad tries, but he just doesn’t have the knack for it.”

  “Sure. What area do they live in?”

  “They actually live not far from here. That was my stop on the way. I’d be happy to pay you,” she blurted as an afterthought. She didn’t want Dex to think she would take advantage of her.

  “Oh, awesome. I love Oak Park. This is a great neighborhood.” Her eyes sparkled as she spoke. “Let me take a look at it first and see what it’ll take.”

  “Okay.” She smiled and held Dex’s stare for a moment longer than ne
cessary.

  Dex broke the stare and took out her phone. “Hungry?”

  “Starving.”

  “Great. I programmed the address into my phone, and Siri says, ‘Let’s go! People are beating us there, and the tacos may soon be all gone!’”

  “On it.” Emma laughed as she put the car into gear and pulled away from the curb. “We don’t want them to run out of tacos. That would be tragic.”

  “A colossal disaster.”

  Emma took in a deep breath and kept her eyes on the road. Tacos and jazz. This woman knew all the right buttons to push, and she did it well.

  The taco festival was already packed when they got there. It didn’t surprise Emma that it was close to seventy-six degrees, which was unusual for October. Chicago was known to have average temperatures between fifty-nine and sixty-five degrees, and today was an exception, with minimal wind and spectacular sunshine. It was as though Emma’s fairy godmother had conjured up the weather just for her date with Dex.

  The taco choices were imaginative. Some were made with traditional ingredients such as chicken, steak, chorizo, and beef, as well as unusual ingredients such as mushrooms, shrimp, cod, goat, and duck. Emma opted for a trio that included shrimp, mushrooms, and chicken. Dex went for steak, cod, and duck. After they picked up a couple of seasonal beers, they sat on a concrete barrier and shared them like they’d been a couple for years. The whole situation was surreal. Emma had never thought she’d meet anyone she clicked with so perfectly.

  “Oh my God, this mushroom taco is divine.” It was like an explosion of flavors in her mouth. She hadn’t ever tasted anything quite like it, the blend of ingredients staggering.

  “What’s in it?” Dex asked.

  Emma peeled the corn tortilla back. “One, two, three different types of mushrooms, kale, pickled carrots, and…” She pushed the mushrooms around with her fork. “Um, I think thyme.” She took another bite and then held the taco up to Dex. “You want to try?” she mumbled, still chewing her last bite.

  When Dex widened her eyes, tilted her head sideways, and opened her mouth, Emma couldn’t hold her laughter and had to cover her mouth to prevent the food from bursting out. She fed her a bite, and Dex groaned.

  “You’re not kidding.” Dex pointed at what was left of the taco remaining in Emma’s hand. “That, right there, is the star of the festival. We should get ten more.”

  “Just ten? Not twenty?” She raised her eyebrows.

  “At least twenty.” Dex glanced around. “But what if they’re sold out?” She held up her plate of tacos. “I’ll trade you this tasty tempura-battered fish taco and this appetizing coffee-rubbed steak taco for the last bite of your magnificent mushroom taco.”

  “Sold.” Emma laughed hysterically as she fed Dex the rest of the taco. “You’re adorable.”

  Dex sat up straight, twisted to peek behind her, and shifted her eyes back and forth. “Me?” She pushed a finger into her own chest.

  “Yes, you.” Emma chuckled at her unpretentiousness. This gorgeous, funny woman apparently had no idea what kind of an effect she was having on her.

  Dex lifted an eyebrow. “Seriously?”

  “Absolutely.” She instinctively reached over and wiped a drop of sauce from the corner of Dex’s mouth with her thumb and then leaned forward and kissed her softly. She held the kiss for just a moment while every nerve ending in her body came to attention. How could this woman ignite every part of her with just a slight touch of her lips? Emma broke away and took in a deep breath.

  “Wow,” Dex said. “And I’m not talking about the taco.”

  Total understatement. Emma smiled softly, and before Dex could protest, she swiped one of the tacos from Dex’s plate and took a bite. She couldn’t help but notice the pink taking over Dex’s cheeks, and judging by the heat in her own, Emma was sure hers were just as pink. Dex truly was adorable.

  They shared the rest of the tacos and drank their beers before they went back to the mushroom-taco stand. Dex bought more tacos to go for the jazz festival later, and Emma grabbed a card from the booth with the restaurant’s name. They’d definitely have to try these again.

  Strolling around, they just happened upon the Mexican wrestling. Emma was surprised at how entertaining it was. The colorful masks alone made it worth watching. The rapid sequences of holds and maneuvers the wrestlers performed enthralled Dex, as did the high-flying tactics they used on each other. At one point the wrestlers ended up outside the ring, chasing each other through the crowd.

  After that show, they picked up an apple strudel and found the music stage where they settled into a few open chairs close to the front. Dex laid her arm across the top of Emma’s chair, and Emma settled into her. Emma tingled when Dex curled her hand around her shoulder and pulled her closer.

  They never made it to the jazz festival, which was fine. Emma was comfortable right where she was, barely touching Dex in the chair next to her and enjoying her company. At one point, Dex ran to the beverage stand to get a couple more beers, and they ate the mushroom tacos she’d bought while watching the band play.

  The sun had faded over an hour earlier, and it had begun to get chilly. They’d listened to a few sets before the wind picked up, but then Emma shivered as a gust came across her shoulders. Dex must have felt it because she pulled Emma closer and pressed her head against Emma’s.

  “It’s getting kinda cold. You ready to go?”

  Emma hesitated before she leaned back and stared into Dex’s eyes. “I guess we should.” She didn’t want the day to end, but if they didn’t leave now they’d get caught in the hordes of people leaving and would probably get stuck sitting in traffic for hours. Yet that honestly didn’t sound so bad as long as she was stuck with Dex.

  * * *

  Emma walked Dex to her door, which was probably a bad move if she wanted to keep the pace slow. What she did want was another one of those heart-stopping kisses. When Dex invited her in for coffee, she wasn’t sure she should accept. The night could turn out very differently than she’d planned, and she really needed to stay on course with this one. She didn’t want things to happen too quickly, or she might just get her heart broken. There was always the risk of that happening anyway, but she’d been through that before and wanted to shield herself from heartache as much as possible.

  As soon as they were in the door, all her restraint flew from her mind when Dex pulled her into a steaming kiss. Their tongues moved in motion as though they were made for the same mouth. Her hands went to Dex’s waist and pulled her closer. She wanted, no, she needed more contact. She tugged the shirt from the waistband of Dex’s pants, only to find a tank top underneath. She growled and pulled the cotton fabric loose, then swept her hands across the smooth, warm skin. She popped the buttons on Dex’s shirt to gain more access, and her hand went immediately to her breast, which fit perfectly in her palm. Dex let out a soft moan and Emma was instantly wet.

  Somehow they made it to the couch and Dex fell backward onto it, pulling Emma on top of her. Dex’s leg was between Emma’s, and she pressed into it as she pushed up Dex’s shirt and reclaimed her breast in her palm. She was trailing her mouth down Dex’s neck on her way to it when she felt a thud on her back.

  Emma immediately stopped and widened her eyes. “Uh. What’s on my back?”

  “Damn it.” Dex reached around her and plucked something from her back. A cat. A big black-and-white cat. “Sorry. She likes to be involved.” She set her on the floor beside them.

  Emma chuckled. “In everything?”

  Dex flattened her lips and pulled her eyebrows together. “You have no idea.”

  Emma sat up and ran her hand down the cat’s back. “She’s cute.”

  “And annoying,” Dex added.

  “What’s your name, little girl?” Emma rubbed her behind the ears.

  “Panda. Because, well, you know.”

  “I can see the resemblance.” Panda jumped into Emma’s lap and settled. “I think she wants me to go, so you c
an give her some attention.”

  “Way to be a terrible wingman, buddy.” Dex bent to eye level with the cat. “You really don’t have to go.”

  Dex glanced up, and Emma was caught by the startling yellow clusters radiating within Dex’s emerald-green eyes. She shifted and tried to ignore the desire the sight provoked within her. “Yeah, I think I do. I have an early day tomorrow, and if I stay, I don’t think I’ll get much sleep.” True statement. Neither of them would. It would be a Monday from hell, but Emma had a feeling it would be totally worth it.

  Panda jumped to Dex’s lap as Emma stood and searched for her coat. Her cheeks warmed when Dex pointed to it on the floor.

  “Oh, my. How did that happen?” Once they’d made it inside, she’d been totally focused on the earth-shattering kiss that came next. Clearly, the momentum was intense. They’d made it to the couch at light speed, memories erased on the way. Both of their coats had come off, as well as Dex’s flannel button-down, which she picked up and slid across her shoulders.

  Dex shook her head and smiled. “I honestly don’t remember.”

  Emma curled the edges of Dex’s shirt into her palms and pulled her closer. “You’re a really fun date. You know that?”

  “It could get a lot funner.” Dex let out a low groan and kissed her.

  Emma let the tingle consume her from head to toe before she broke away. “I don’t doubt that in the least.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “But I need to go.” She spun around to pick up her coat, but Dex beat her to it and held it up while she slipped her arms inside.

  “Can I see you this week?”

  “Plan on it.” Emma gave her a quick kiss on the lips and sped out the door before she changed her mind. The way she was feeling right now, that could easily happen with just one more kiss.

  * * *

  Dex closed the door and leaned against it, trying to regain her footing. Emma had left her in the same state she had the night before—a hot, steaming puddle of desire. It wasn’t an entirely new experience for her. She’d felt something similar before, but that was a long time ago when she’d first met Grace. She’d never felt like this since or with anyone else, and was truly afraid to run with it. The outcome with Grace had been painful, plus Emma had balked. She’d left in the middle of something that was definitely going to happen if Panda hadn’t interrupted them.