Chapter Nine
Me: Hey you. How are you doing today?
Giana: I’m good. Actually meeting some people and making friends.
Me: Oh yeah? That’s great. Am I getting ousted though?
Giana: Never. You’re my first friend. Just waiting for these benefits to kick in… Seems like maybe you’re more talk than action.
Me: I’m all action! Just been pulling a lot of shifts lately. Tired.
Giana: Yeah? Are you sure? You didn’t meet someone?
Me: Working a lot. Got a new tenant in my rental.
Giana: How is she? Hot?
Me: What if it’s a dude?
Giana: … is he hot?
Me: Are you asking your friend with benefits to hook you up?
Giana: I mean, there’s been no benefits yet. Maybe I just need someone with a little more push. It gets lonely over here.
Me: What part of Balsam Cliffs are you in? Usually the rumor mill’s going as soon as someone signs the lease but I haven’t heard anything about you yet. No rumors flying.
Giana: I like to keep a low profile.
Me: Don’t know how you do that in this town. Tell me your secrets.
Giana: Don’t make friends. >
Me: Seems like you’re making some though. Hopefully you can stay under the radar.
Giana: > One can hope. I don’t want to be the center of gossip. Not good for someone hiding from their past.
Me: It’s not good to not live your life either. You have to make sure you’re enjoying it, otherwise what’s the point?
Giana: Pretty wise there. Spoken from experience?
Me: You could say that. I spent a lot of time doing everything I could to keep everyone around me happy that I lost sight of keeping myself happy.
I still struggle with keeping everyone’s needs above mine, but I’ve gotten a little better.
Recently though, it’s taken a backseat. So, I don’t want you to do the same.
Giana: I’ll keep that in mind, Officer. Thanks.
Me: Anytime. I’m always here for sage advice.
Giana: Of course you are. The friend without the benefits needs to at least have good advice or what are you good for?
Me: I feel like you’re calling me out here for not meeting up with you. I promise I’m working a lot. >
Giana: Killing me with that uniform.
Me: Will I ever get to earn a photo from you?
Giana: Goodnight, Officer. >
This night shift is killing me. So is talking to Giana. She’s right to call me out. I’ve made every excuse in the book to not meet her in person.
I know I’m not dating Sophia, or Giana, but it feels a lot like cheating. And I’m not a fucking cheater.
Me: What are you doing? Miss me?
Goddess: It is pretty quiet. But I did spend the night cleaning your house. And doing your laundry. I also washed and changed your sheets so you could have fresh ones when you get home.
Me: You didn’t have to do that for me, but I appreciate it so much.
Goddess: I had nothing better to do. And you’ve been working so much, I just wanted to do something nice for you. Oh, speaking of, I also made you dinner. What time do you get a break? I can run it by for you.
Me: You’re spoiling me.
Goddess: You need someone to take care of you.
Me: Are you volunteering for the position?
Goddess: If it means I keep getting the orgasms, sure am.
Me: I can take a break whenever. Not many people come through here this late at night so I usually just stand at the hood of my cruiser and chat with the guys working the sign. So come on by whenever. I’ll drop a pin for you.
Goddess: Got it. Be there soon. >
If I didn’t know better, I’d say someone wants more than the current arrangement she negotiated.
I know I do.
Hopefully she’s one step closer to changing her mind, so I need to cut things off with Giana. It’s inappropriate and feels like cheating, except in those moments I nearly convince myself that I’m right in thinking that Giana is Sophia.
There’s too many coincidences to miss the similarity between the two.