I got excited as I thought about the contracts I signed last night. It was late-afternoon and I knew they had until 8:00pm tonight to sign, but the waiting was making me sweat. It had been a lowball offer, but I was confident that the space would be mine. Not many sellers turn down an all cash offer and a quick close. Today had been a slow day, seeming to drag on and on. Thankfully, it was almost quittin’ time. I thought about Gemma and wondered how her appointment had gone.

Just as I picked up my cell to send her a text, my office phone rang.

“Davenport, here.” Work stuff. I half listened as one of my employees droned on about how the supplier for our high pH frictionless presoak detergent was giving him the run around on bulk pricing. “So, bottom line is, he’s telling you the costs have increased?”

“Yes, sir,” he replied.

“Call him back and tell him that for as much business as they get from us, they’ll grandfather us in to our previous pricing or we’ll yank our business out from under them faster than he can blink. And if he still doesn’t concede, talk to his supervisor, on up the line to his supervisor’s supervisor if necessary. If they still wanna play hardball, drop them. With the amount of purchasing we make we’ll find a supplier to accommodate. In fact, Dultmeier was pitching us a few months back. If Crans doesn’t care to honor our loyalty, screw them. They’re the ones who’ll lose out in the end. Anything else, Tommy?” My annoyance was with Tommy as much as it was with our supplier. I paid him a hefty salary to be able to handle situations such as these. If he needed my constant input on such mundane matters, what use was he to me?

“No, sir, Mr. Davenport, sir.” I could hear the fear in his voice. Good. Maybe he’d learn to step out on the ledge and attempt to handle the next situation like this that arose on his own before calling me in on it.

“Let me know how it turns out.” I hung up the phone and ran my fingers through my hair.

I usually had more patience than this, but this was the third time he’d called me, in as many months, with issues. This business was supposed to be run like a well-oiled machine, all parts moving in conjunction. But when he couldn’t handle even the most menial things, it made me wonder why I was keeping him around.

Truth be told it was because I felt bad for him; he had a wife at home with cancer, and two kids to feed and clothe. My heart went out to him in that respect. I just wanted him to show initiative. To reach down and grab his balls, make sure they were still there. Man up. I shook my head. As annoyed as I was, I knew I’d never put him out on the streets. I took a deep cleansing breath and packed up my briefcase. I told Laura good night, and headed out into the warm October night. I had already worked out this morning, so my night was completely free.

Maybe Gemma would want to grab a bite to eat. I decided the best course of action was to deem this a friend with benefits situation. The only problem was, I’d never actually been friends with any of my previous hookups. Were the rules different when the hookup really was your friend? This was Gemma though. We’d always had a great time together. The fact that we were shagging, well, headed towards shagging, shouldn’t affect that. I started the engine, but was unsure of where I wanted to go.

Before I could think any deeper on it my cell chimed.

I smiled when I saw it was from Ella. It was a champagne bottle emoji and the words congrats!

Yes! I looked to the heavens and let out a huge sigh. I hadn’t realized how bad I wanted this location until this very moment. “Sweet.” I text her back. “Thank you!”

“We close in two weeks, Monday, as per your request. I’ll email you the address of the title company. The funds need to be there in the next twenty four hours. I’m also going to send over the SPDS for you to read and sign off on.”

“Done.” I had done my due diligence with the numbers, but I hadn’t waived the inspections, so I needed to call my friend Matt at First Step Inspectors and get him out to the property. It was only a few years old, so most likely there was nothing he would find, but a smart investor covered his bases. Normally we’d have thirty days, but since I was closing in two weeks I needed his help asap. I shot off a text to Matt and asked him to let me know when he could fit me into his schedule in the next few days. Tonight, I’d make sure to go over the seller disclosure form that Ella was sending over with a fine-tooth comb. If something looked suspicious, it was nice to know there was always an out.

Now it looked like I wouldn’t have time to take Gemma to dinner. Time was of the essence with any real estate deal, but especially with this one because of the quick close. Maybe it was for the best. It would give me a little more time to figure out exactly how this was supposed to work. This past weekend was amazing. Last night was amazing. She was amazing. And her little teach the teacher stunt last night was priceless. I laughed out loud thinking about it. She wasn’t laughing when we hung up though. I was certainly going to make good on that promise too. Oh, the plans I had for her. I started up my Beemer and headed for home.

Shortly after I got there, Ella text that the disclosure, along with the title company address, was in my inbox. Even though everything was signed with a digital signature, I still printed it out so I could read every line. Everything looked great so I signed off and sent it back to her. Matt text me back and we set up the inspection for Thursday afternoon. I didn’t have to be there for it, but he knew I preferred it that way. I pulled out the numbers and ran them all again. I whistled as I worked and realized I was whistling Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah. Where on earth had that children’s song come from? I had no idea, but it was certainly fitting.

Night had fallen and I was so focused on organizing everything that I would need for the closing, that I completely lost track of time. I made my way to the kitchen and opened my almost barren fridge. I had the option of some leftovers from only God knew when, mustard, wilted lettuce, moldy bread, and beer. I grabbed the beer and called for Chinese takeout. It was almost 9:00pm. I hadn’t talked to Gemma all day. I decided to text while I waited for my food to arrive.

“How was your day?” Basic. Safe.

I dropped to the couch and set my phone on the cushion next to me. I grabbed the remote off the table and clicked on the TV. This past weekend’s ASU game was playing, perfect since I had missed it live. I kicked my feet up on the ottoman and got comfortable. My cell chimed a minute later.

“The morning was a little crazy but once that passed it was all good. Great, in fact. Busy. Exhausting. You?”

“Same. How was your doctor appointment?” I really wanted to know if she had discussed our arrangement and what her doctor thought. I waited while the bubbles appeared.

“It was really good. She helped me to see how far I’ve come and how strong I am.”

“That’s great. But I could’ve told you that for free. You’re one of the strongest people I know.” I shot back.

“Well, I’m finally starting to believe it. She also said she thought you were a great person to, and I quote, help me with my situation.” I smiled at that. So, she did tell her. I’m not going to lie, that her doctor was on board surprised me a little. Not that I didn’t think it was a good idea. I guess part of me thought she would try to change Gemma’s mind.

“Glad to be of service. Besides, what’re friends for? What else have you been up to?”

“I worked on those photos for my newly engaged couple some more. And set an appointment tomorrow afternoon for a potential new client. And I sat down and laid out some of the information for bringing in the boudoir photos.” She had been busy.

“You’re gonna do it?” I typed out. I wasn’t really surprised anymore. Before this past weekend’s events I was a little shocked, but it was like a whole new sexually confident woman had emerged and had taken my shy, easy to embarrass friends place.

“I’m still working out all the kinks.” I started to chuckle at her choice of words and bubbles popped up again. “Pun not intended.”

I laughed loudly at how well she knew me. I was still laughing when the door buzzed. My mouth watered like Pavlov’s dog. I didn’t realize I was so hungry until that very moment.

“Sure it wasn’t. Seriously though. Let me know if I can help you with anything.” I quickly typed out my response and tossed the phone back onto the couch, before heading to answer the door.

The food smelled amazing. I tipped the guy well and headed back to the living room. Orange chicken and crab rangoon. And of course, the customary egg roll. I didn’t allow myself to eat garbage food often, but this was one of my Achilles’ heels. I unwrapped my chopsticks and dug in. By the time I finished stuffing my face, I realized I hadn’t heard back from Gemma. I picked my phone back up and saw that I missed a text from her. She must’ve sent it while I was answering the door.

“I might take you up on that.”

“Sounds like we’re both busy the next few days. What’re your plans for Friday?” I knew she was busy tomorrow and I didn’t know how long I was going to be tied up with that inspection Thursday. I also knew the next time we got together I wanted to be able to take my time with her and spend the night with her in my arms. I wasn’t usually big on sleepovers, but waking up with her last Saturday had felt right. I was so lost in my daydream I again missed her response.

“I have a date with a really hot guy.”

What? I thought we had agreed to exclusivity during this month. My finger hovered over the letter board on my phone.

“I’m just waiting for him to ask me.” Popped up seconds later.

You idiot. She means you.

“Well, if I am the hot guy to which you are referring, would you like to go out Friday? Dinner and a movie?”

“Sounds perfect. You pick the restaurant and I pick the movie. Just let me know what to wear for dinner. I’m beat, I’m hitting the sack. Text ya tomorrow. Night.”

“Night.” I pictured her climbing into bed, sliding naked between her sheets. I had no clue if she slept naked or not, but I liked to imagine that she did. Hopefully, come Friday, I’d have my answer.