Elena
I look out of the shutters in anxious anticipation of Gerri showing up. I’m so glad she's going to stay the night with me. She headed out to grab a few things and is coming right back. Truly, I am so lucky to have a boss like her! A real friend. Not only is it getting windy and possibly stormy, but I'm too nervous about everything and if she didn't stay with me, I'd probably be up pacing all night. I wouldn't get an ounce of sleep. Gerri is a great friend, and I'm not sure what I would do without her.
As I look out upon the darkened night sky, I think about Leo. The darkness of the night matches the darkness I see in his eyes, a dark abyss I want to fall into. He’s so freaking hot. I've never met a guy like that. Not only is he totally shredded, gorgeous, striking, and kind, but something about him makes me feel more sure of myself, more sure of my life. Not to mention his package has got to be huge. I mean, if hands and feet are any marker, then Leo has to be packing a giant cock and I’m not gonna lie, girl, I thought about that too. I remember how he gave me butterflies in my stomach the first time I met him, but at that time I was marrying Barry and put those thoughts aside. But no girl can forget Leo. Hmmm, he probably knows it too.
I see headlights, and I’m distracted from my reverie. Thank God Gerri is here. Now we can get the night started.
She honks the horn of her black on black Range Rover. It's as if she's trying to tell the neighborhood that she's here, my protector for the night, and that nobody should mess with us.
I look around to see that no one noticed Gerri's display as I open the door of my cozy, little house and am excited to invite Gerri in. I’ve already put the kettle on so that we can have some girl talk. God knows I need it after everything I've been through lately. Gerri will calm me down.
"Hey, you're here!" I say excitedly.
"Yep, I wasn't going to let you do this alone."
I jump down from the porch to grab her bag; it's the least I can do.
"I hope you like chamomile," I say.
"Of course. I'll be glad to get inside. It's getting gusty out here."
Once we're in, I help Gerri get settled. She curls up on the couch as I deliver a tray of tea and English cookies.
"So, we've gotta talk," she says to me. "What is going on with Barry?"
I sigh into the couch. How do I even begin to describe this? How can Gerri ever understand what it's like to be married to a man like that? My marriage was a sham. I wasn't happy being married, and yet I wanted so bad for it to work out. I gave it my all, and I sacrificed so much. The thought of all those years wasted on a man like Barry makes me feel sad, like I've given my life and my love to somebody who didn't even appreciate it.
"I don't know," I respond to her. “It's hard to understand what's happening with him. You know when we got married, I was so hopeful when I thought about my future. I thought I would be with this man forever. I thought we would have children and the white picket fence, and everything would work out. Now I'm all confused. I didn't even know that his brother was a cop. I mean, what does that say about our marriage?"
"Well, I don't know what it is you see in marriage," Gerri says. "Being single is the greatest thing on the planet. You get to do what you want, be who you want, and you never have to answer to anybody. I love being single."
"Haha, I wish I were more like you," I say. "I know what you mean about being single. It's just that you can't really have a family by yourself. I want a family. And knowing the dating pool and what's out there, it makes me question if I'll ever have it."
She takes a long, thoughtful sip of her tea before she says, "You know who isn't a bad catch? Leo . . . don’tcha think."
I can tell she's egging me on, dying for a response and to know what I think about Leo. Obviously, he is a catch. Of course, it's hard to know if he's a playboy or not given those looks. He could have any woman he wants. In fact, he probably does.
"Leo?" I say, getting ready to cover my feelings. "Why would you even bring him up?"
Her eyes are smiling now as she says the words, "Maybe he's the brother you should've married?
My heart flutters a little bit for reasons I can't explain, except that she mentioned Leo. Why would she even mention him? We're talking about my failed marriage, not some super sexy detective who I don't even know very well.
"Gerri! Shhhhh. How could you say that?"
It's almost as if I think he's listening in and I don't want him to hear. Only, if he was anywhere near my house right now, I would feel better.
"Oh come on, like you haven't noticed how fine he is. He is hot! I think you just got the wrong brother."
She's laughing now, laughing at my pain. But this makes me laugh too, and I have to give it to her, she did cheer me up. Just thinking about Leo cheers me up.
I admit to her, "Leo is very handsome. I'll give you that."
"Handsome? He's on fire," Gerri observes. "You deserve a man like that."
God, Leo. Now I'm thinking about him and feeling all steamed up. There’s a wetness in my panties that I ignore.
"He does make me feel safe," I say trying to end the conversation on Leo, "but for now, I've got you!"