Page 1 of Mr. February

Chapter 1: Nobody Should Have to Put up with Mediocre Sex and Crappy Behavior

JENNY

“Save me, Obi-Jen, you’re my only hope.”

Jenny Nelson snorted at the chat message from her best friend.

“That makes me sound like a gynecologist.”

Inside her small office, she couldn’t hear Gloria’s response, but she knew Gloria would love her reply.

“Break time? Maybe a caffeine jolt will help me figure out this problem.”

Two minutes later, Jenny smiled at another co-worker, Kyle, who exited the break room as she entered. After processing expense reports all afternoon, she needed a pick-me-up. Since it was Monday, baked goods were freshly delivered from the bakery that came twice a week.

It was one of her favorite perks of working at In-Tech. Jenny didn’t have the technical acumen of her colleagues, but sheappreciated working in a smaller company with a good group of people.

She tucked her long brown hair behind her ear as she focused on the pastry display case near the coffee station. As she debated between an over-sized blueberry muffin and a cheese Danish, she heard a squeal of happiness behind her. Even if she hadn’t been expecting it, she’d recognize that sound anywhere.

Jenny turned with a grin towards her best friend, Gloria. They sometimes ran into each other by accident, but they usually had to coordinate their workplace get-togethers since they worked in different divisions.

As her friend bounced towards her with a smile, Jenny cataloged their physical differences. Jenny was average height, average hair color, average looks. The only thing above average about her was her weight, but her love of sweets was greater than her desire to be skinny.

In contrast, Gloria was a tall, thin dynamo who was always in motion and plotting something. Her conventionally attractive appearance hid a wicked sense of humor and a brilliant, if off kilter, mind.

She was also one of Jenny’s favorite people in the world even though they couldn’t have been more different if they tried. Gloria was a social chameleon, a tech genius, and a sexually liberated flirt while Jenny… wasn’t.

“How are you, gorgeous?” Gloria asked as they leaned against the counter to chat. “I haven’t seen you since last week. We missed you on Saturday.”

“Sorry I bailed on coming. Between the rain and the cold, the idea of going to a movie wasn’t as appealing as curling up with the new Lydia Marchesse book.”

“Ooh, I didn’t realize that was out already. Did you finish it? What did you think?” Gloria leaned forward as she awaited the answer.

“Of course I liked it. I’m not a huge fan of romances where the two main characters are frenemies with benefits who fall for each other, but it was great.”

“What’s not to like about that? That sounds like the perfect situation.”

“How so?” Jenny asked.

“What’s not to love about fighting, flirting, and fucking? I’m happy to skip the falling in love part, but the benefits sound good.” Gloria winked.

“I get what you’re saying. I’m just no good at”—Jenny dropped her voice even though no one else was in the break room with them—“sex without a relationship. I get too anxious and can’t relax.”

“What do you mean? Oh,” Gloria’s eyes lit with understanding. “You mean you can’t come?”

“Shh! Yes, that’s what I mean, but we don’t need to advertise it.”

Gloria was more open about sex and her physical needs than she was. She was also far more comfortable in her own skin. Jenny usually liked how she looked, but a series of less-than-stellar boyfriends undermined her confidence.

“Did Chad make you anxious?” Gloria asked.

Jenny flushed with embarrassment. Gloria must have remembered when she drunkenly confided about her inability to orgasm with Chad.

“Yes and no. I’m always a little anxious, but we were together long enough that I thought I got pass it. Subconsciously, I must have known something was off, but he never paid much attention to me once he came.”

“Ass. He always struck me as someone who’d be selfish in bed,” Gloria tossed out as she perused the bakery case.

Jenny snorted.

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