“I knew you’d cave and have sex with him,” Tara says at lunch the next day. “I just knew it.”

How is it possible that she knew when I hadn’t? “You don’t understand. The way he took care of me...”

“Oh, I’m sure he took care of you all right. How many orgasms did he give you?” She knows David is the only man to ever give me multiple orgasms.

“Trust me, if you were naked in a towel with him straddling your ass and massaging your neck, you would have slept with him, too.” I sip my lemonade.

“I won’t deny that. I’d absolutely sleep with David if he weren’t involved with you.”

“You could have made a move on him after we broke up. Technically, you still can since we agreed to date other people, but please don’t because it would be really gross knowing I was sleeping with the same man my best friend was sleeping with.”

“Yet it doesn’t bother you to know he can go sleep with Lonnie today if he wants to?” She shakes her head, not sold on the idea of a nonexclusive relationship.

“If it keeps him from getting his heart broken, I’m fine with it.” I should probably set some ground rules with David, though. Like no bringing dates back to the apartment—for either of us.

“I think you’re playing with fire, Em. You know David has feelings for you. And I know you have feelings for him.”

“Of course, I do. That’s never been the problem. And he does have feelings for me, but he says he likes Lonnie.”

She gives me a “bullshit” look.

“They’re going out again this week,” I add.

“And you’re going to see Sebastian again?”

I shrug. “He’s a great guy and really attractive, but...”

“He’s not David?” She raises an eyebrow in question.

“No. The last time he kissed me, he tasted like pickles. I know it’s stupid because we’d just had lunch, but I can’t get that thought out of my head.”

She laughs and holds up the pickle on her plate. “Would you like my pickle? I won’t judge you if you make out with it.”

“You’re such a child sometimes, I swear.”

“You’re the one afraid of commitment, but I’m the child?” She puts the pickle down and wipes her hand on a napkin.

“I’m not afraid of commitment. I don’t have any faith in it. There’s a difference.” When she starts to shake her head, I add, “David and I even talked about it.”

Her eyes widen. “You had a grown-up conversation about commitment with David?”

“Yes, and this time it didn’t break us up. It sort of led to where we are now, I guess.”

“Which is where?” She pushes her plate aside and grabs her iced tea. “What are you actually doing? Beside sleeping with your roommate?”

“I’m getting the best of David without the worry of hurting him. It’s pretty great, really.”

“Sure. Because no one in the history of a ‘friends with benefits’ relationship has ever gotten hurt.” She rolls her eyes and sips her drink.

“That’s not what we are. We’re...dating nonexclusively.”

“So you’re not friends?” she presses.

“We are.”

“Who sleep together?”

“This is ridiculous.” I raise my hand to flag down the waiter.

“I agree. It’s ridiculous that you and David are lying to yourselves and each other.”

“I’m not lying to him.”

She leans forward, resting her arms on the table. “Really? So you told him you’re jealous of Lonnie and that’s why you jumped into bed with him last night?”

“No. That’s not why I did it. Yes, it had to do with her but not in that way.”

“So you’re not jealous? You wouldn’t care if he came home smelling like her?”

I wrinkle my nose at the suggestion. “Of course, I don’t want to smell another woman on him. That’s disgusting.”

She holds her hands up in defense. “Hey, I agree, but I’m not the one who signed up for this.”

The waiter walks over. “Are we ready for dessert?” he asks.

“Yeah, she’ll take a big slice of dignity if you have it on the menu,” Tara says.

The waiter turns to me and shakes his head. “I’m sorry. I don’t understand.”

“Just the check please,” I say.

He nods and hurries off.

“Nice job. You scared the poor waiter while also humiliating your best friend.”

“I figured I had to do something to knock some sense into you. Tell me it worked.”

If I weren’t used to Tara’s “tough love,” I’d be really pissed off at her right now. But I know she’s trying to look out for me in her own way. “I don’t plan to sleep with Sebastian or anyone else.”

“Then why not date David exclusively?” she asks.

“Because then he’d get attached.”

“So you’re going to pretend to date Sebastian?”

“No. I like hanging out with him.”

“That’s called being his friend.”

“Look, I don’t have this all figured out yet, okay?”

The waiter returns with the check, and Tara reaches for it. “I’ll take that. I have a feeling if I don’t pay for lunch, I’m going to have to find myself a new best friend.” She gets her wallet from her purse and counts out money for the bill and tip. Then she hands it to the waiter.

“Thank you,” he says before hurrying off again.

“I’m heading home,” I say, getting up from the table.

“Hey, how much do you hate me right now?” she asks.

I hold my forefinger and thumb an inch apart. “About this much. Luckily, I love you this much.” I spread my fingers as wide as they’ll go.

She laughs and hugs me goodbye.

I use the walk back to the apartment to consider what she said. I know she’s right. I know the situation isn’t as perfect as I’m trying to make it out to be. Last night, I wanted David more than when we were dating. Maybe it was because I knew he’d had a good time with Lonnie. Maybe I am jealous. But this is the only way to keep him from getting too attached or from expecting anything more from me. I’m not the girl you bring home to meet your parents. I’m the girl you go out with until one or both of us gets bored.

I take the elevator up to the apartment and find David hanging out with one of his friends. I think I’ve seen the man before, but I’m not sure where. “Hey,” I say, shutting the door behind me.

“Hi, Emily.” David doesn’t get up to greet me or do anything a boyfriend would, which puts me at ease. Instead, he points at his friend. “This is Dominic. I told you about him.”

“Right. You work at Bella Noche. You’re an amazing chef.” I place my purse on the table and head for the kitchen.

“Thanks. Let me know next time you’re there. I’ll make you one of my specialty dishes,” Dominic says.

“I will.” It’s only one o’clock, but I feel the need for a beer. I grab an Amstel Light out of the fridge and yell, “Anyone need a beer?”

“We’re good,” David says.

I walk back into the living room, but I feel weird intruding on their afternoon, so I keep walking toward my room.

“Don’t let me scare you off,” Dominic says. “We’re only watching TV and drinking beer.”

“Yeah,” David says, “you’re welcome to join us.”

I stop and turn toward them. “You sure? I don’t mind hanging out in my room.”

“Don’t be silly.” David motions to the armchair. “The more the merrier. I was just about to put The Walking Dead marathon on.”

“You and zombies, man,” Dominic says, getting up and moving to the armchair.

“Dominic, you don’t have to move for me,” I say. “You were here first.”

“You live here. Besides, I prefer the chair. It’s easier to fall asleep in.”

“Dom always falls asleep watching TV. The key is to make sure he doesn’t spill his beer in the process.” David points an accusatory finger at Dominic.

“I did it once,” Dominic says.

“Three times,” David corrects him. “You spilled on the floor between the chair and couch, on the arm of the chair itself, and on your lap.” He holds up three fingers for emphasis.

“Okay, fine, Mr. Mathematician.” Dominic rolls his eyes at David before winking at me.

I like him already. I sit at the opposite end of the couch and pull my legs up. “So, how long have you two been friends?”

“About six years now,” David says.

“Feels like a lot longer,” Dominic says, dragging out “a lot.”

I laugh and hold my beer out to clink it against his. “You and I are going to get along very well.”

“Just what I need. You two ganging up on me.” David grabs the remote and puts on AMC. The pilot episode is just beginning. “Perfect timing.”

“Ugh. Not really. I hate Shane,” I say before taking a sip of my beer.

“Yes!” Dominic says. “I can’t stand him. Though, as David’s best friend, if he wound up in a coma, I’d totally sleep with his wife until he recovered.”

David grabs a throw pillow from the couch and chucks it at Dominic’s head.

“That’s what marriage gets you,” I say.

“I’m not following,” David says, narrowing his eyes at me.

“I just don’t believe in it. I mean, Lori thinks Rick is dead because Shane tells her he is, and what does she do? She hops right into bed with Shane. Where’s the mourning period?”

“Hey,” Dominic says. “The vows specify it’s only until death do you part.”

“So you don’t think she was wrong to sleep with Shane? She winds up having his baby.”

“I think it’s wrong,” David says. “Both on Lori’s and Shane’s parts.”

“So if you get married one day and your wife dies, you wouldn’t date again?” I ask him.

“Not right away. No.”

“But eventually?”

He shrugs. “I guess eventually. I’d never marry again, though.”

I’m relieved to hear him say that. Maybe it means he sees my point about people not being able to commit for that length of time.

“We’re watching a show about the zombie apocalypse and we’re discussing marriage?” Dominic scoffs. “What is wrong with us?”

“You’re right,” I say. “To the zombies.” I hold up my beer, and Dominic follows suit.

“To the zombies,” he says.

We watch five episodes and drink most of the beer in the fridge before David gets up and says, “What should we order for dinner? I’m starving.”

“I want to try that new Mexican place,” I tell him.

“Oh, it’s good. I went there with Lonnie.”

The mention of Lonnie makes my chest constrict with jealousy, but I remind myself it’s good that he’s dating her. Without her, I couldn’t date him. “What do you recommend?” I ask.

“I’ve got it covered,” he says. He grabs his phone from the coffee table and calls in an order of fajitas, enchiladas, and tacos. “You okay with sharing?” he asks.

“Sure. Dom—?” I turn to see him passed out in the chair, which makes me laugh.

“Told you. At least his beer is empty.” He motions to the bottle in Dominic’s hand.

I look at the empty beer bottles on the table. “Did we really drink all that?”

“Dom drank most of it. I only had four,” David says.

I think I had three or four. I can’t remember, though. “Did you read my response for the column?” I ask him.

“Yeah, good stuff. I sent it to Aria.”

“You liked what I said?” Maybe that means he really has changed. I guess I have Lonnie to thank for that.

He nods. “I’m sure she’ll accept it for edits tomorrow. I’m pretty sure she and Nate were going to a wedding today, so I know she won’t look at it until the morning.”

“On a Sunday?”

“Yeah, it’s a vow renewal. Someone in Aria’s family. Just a small event at the couple’s house.”

I guess a vow renewal is a good sign. Maybe there are couples who make it work after all.

David leans back on the couch and drapes his arm across his forehead.

“You feeling okay?” I ask him, moving closer and pressing my hand to his forehead to see if he’s feverish.

“Yeah, tired is all.” He turns his head to look at me. “Someone kept me up late last night.”

I blush. “Are you complaining?”

“Not at all. I welcome that anytime.”

I look at the clock on the cable box. “How long until our food arrives?” Maybe it’s the beer I drank, or maybe it’s just David, but I’m dying to kiss him right now.

“We’ve got time.” He turns toward me and kisses me. No hesitation. His tongue dances with mine, and his arms wrap around my waist.

My fingers weave through his hair, messing it up, and I bite his lower lip. He laughs, and says, “So that’s how it’s going to be?” He bites my lip back and then soothes the spot with his tongue. Everything he’s doing is driving me wild.

I start to climb onto his lap when Dominic snores loudly, and his beer bottle falls to the floor, waking him up. I quickly get off of David.

“What did I miss?” Dominic asks, looking around.

“Nothing,” David says, leaning his back against the couch and playing it cool like nothing happened. “We ordered Mexican. It should be here any minute.”

I move away from him, resuming my former position. I’m amazed at how quickly David seems to have changed his opinion about us. He’s handling our new relationship surprisingly well. The only problem is now I feel like the one who is getting attached because all I can think about is last night and how right it felt to be in his arms. Now that he’s not openly pining over me, he seems almost out of reach most of the time, and all I want to do is reach out for him and pull him to me. How did this happen? How did I turn into the one seeking him out?