Chapter 10
Ingrid & Darius
INGRID:
You actually did it.
DARIUS:
Did what?
INGRID:
(sends a photo of a dozen snickerdoodle cookies)
DARIUS:
I told you I would, didn’t I? Now you know that when I say something, I carry through.
INGRID:
I’m going to gain ten pounds. My coach isn’t going to be happy about that.
Oh, and Janey and Raven have requested you send them a dozen more so they don’t have to share one cookie between the two of them.
Yes, I’m being that selfish with them.
Thank you. I forgot to say that.
DARIUS:
You’re welcome. And done. Anything else you’d like from that place?
INGRID:
…
I’m afraid if I tell you, you’ll seriously send more.
DO NOT send more.
That can’t be cheap, and we really shouldn’t be eating all these sugary treats.
This is Janey. She said they have the best scones and black and white cookies. That none of the bakeries around here even come close.
Fucking hell. Ignore her. She’s a brat, and now even if you send more, I’m not sharing.
DARIUS:
Too late. Expect a few boxes to arrive in a few days.
And you’d better share since I convinced the owner to ship you all three once a month.
INGRID:
No, you didn’t!
DARIUS:
I did. Save me some so I can try them when I return. Please.
INGRID:
What game are you playing? Do you think you can win me over by feeding me treats?
Because it just might work, but there’s a downfall. You’ll have to accept me and my fat arse.
I guess it’s a good thing I run around the pitch daily now, and that our coach makes us run three miles every morning.
DARIUS:
Wonder if it will make you taste and smell sweeter?
I’m not sure I can handle that. But I’m willing to find out.
Too bad you added the clause about friends with benefits, because that would be a fun way for us to work off all those extra calories.
INGRID:
Shut up! Keep feeding me these, and I might have to revisit my thoughts on that.
DARIUS:
Challenge accepted. I just changed the order to arrive now twice a month.
DARIUS:
Flew into New York today. Had dinner with Stan and Winnie.
INGRID:
She told me.
DARIUS:
I think she’s suspicious of us. I might have let it slip about the bakery treats. She gave me a warning look.
INGRID:
She asked me about you too. Asked me what was going on. I told her we were just friends and that you annoy me.
DARIUS:
Good cover.
But we both know that’s a lie.
INGRID:
It’s not, but you can keep telling yourself it is.
DARIUS:
that’s all I’m going to say.
INGRID:
Why do you always have to bring that up? It’s annoying.
INGRID:
I’m bored.
DARIUS:
I’m honored you texted me. Sadly, I’m in a meeting listening to some sap trying to talk his way out of a situation with his wife that’s likely going to send him to jail.
INGRID:
Oh, sounds interesting.
DARIUS:
He’s an idiot. This is why I’ve vowed never to get married.
Shit. Ignore that.
INGRID:
Can’t. It’s out there in the universe now.
DARIUS:
Shit.
Can I be honest?
INGRID:
More honest than that? Sure. Why the hell not?
DARIUS:
That was before I met this hellcat who turned my world upside down and has me reconsidering.
Do I still have reservations about love and marriage? Yes. But, I’ve also come to realize that when the right person enters your life, what you thought you knew can change. I wouldn’t marry just anyone, but I would consider it if I fell in love.
Know what I mean?
INGRID:
Truth?
DARIUS:
Always.
INGRID:
After Wilson, I made the same vow. I don’t know that I’ll ever want to get married. Marriage is about control.
No one will ever control me again.
DARIUS:
I’d never control you. I like it when you say what’s on your mind and give it to me. People who don’t let you be yourself aren’t worth your time.
And if marriage is off the table, I’m also ok with that.
I don’t need to get married to be with someone. I’d be willing to be in a monogamous relationship where the two people stayed because they wanted to stay, not because they had to. I think that is what too many married people do. They stay because they feel they have to, not because they want to.
INGRID:
Agree.
That got deep fast. Can we talk about something else?
DARIUS:
It did. I wish I could. I have to go. Work calls. I’ll text you again later tonight.
DARIUS:
Sorry I didn’t text last night. I got caught up in a situation. Just wanted to let you know I’ll be unavailable for the next several days. But that doesn’t mean you can’t text me. I’ll answer them as soon as I can.
INGRID:
Did you know that money does not grow on trees? My father shared that with me today.
INGRID:
Why is it so damn hot in July? I thought it was hot back home, but fuck me. This is like hell has come to earth and is determined to give us a little taste of why we never want to end up there.
INGRID:
I learned today that you can fry an egg on a sidewalk when the temps outside reach 110 degrees.
INGRID:
I wish you’d text me back. I’m worried about you. It’s been nearly a week.
DARIUS:
INGRID:
Well, at least I know you’re alive and not lying in a ditch somewhere.
DARIUS:
Good to know you care. Alive and kicking. Should be back in a few days.
INGRID:
I’ll never admit this in person, but I may miss you.
DARIUS:
I miss you too, cupcake.