Page 39 of Space Balls: Houston, We Have Liftoff
Rose says she loves being single and independent, but like the mechanical engineer I am, I can’t help noticing the pieces that don’t fit.
1. Sad at her brother and best friend’s wedding.
2. Wistful glances, followed by looks of annoyance whenever she spies her friends and their significant others together.
3. Her agitation when the men crashed their girls’ night.
4. How she is always staying over at someone else’s house when she has a penthouse to herself.
5. Not wanting to be the seventh wheel.
All those elements add up to someonenotokay with being alone on Thanksgiving. I may not like going to my own family’s holidays and get-togethers often, but I have my reasons. Rose, on the other hand, looks anything but satisfied with being alone.
“Why don’t you come to my mom’s house for Thanksgiving?” The words are out of my mouth before I can think them through. But once I do, I realize it’s a great plan. I keep my promise to Brittany about staying longer, and Rose, acting as my buffer, doesn’t have to spend the holiday alone. “That’s got to be better than celebrating solo.”
Her chicken sandwich pauses halfway to her mouth. “I didn’t think we were doing those sorts of things.”
I shrug, trying to play off my sudden nervousness. “We’refriendswith benefits, aren’t we? We can call it a Friendsgiving.” As my heart rate ticks higher, I remind myself of what Rose said. She isn’t looking for a boyfriend. I’m not looking for anything serious. So as long as we both remember that this is casual between us, there’s probably no harm in spending Thanksgiving together.
Rose takes a bite, frowning, like she’s mulling it over. Probably trying to come up with more excuses.
“Plus, if I tell my mother I invited you, but you said no, Sunday Strip Day will get real awkward.”
I wouldn’t, but that doesn’t stop Rose from pausing mid-chew and speaking without even trying to shift her food aside in her mouth. “Oo oudn’t!” Her garbled exclamation is hilarious.
Smirking, I lean back, closing my eyes and soaking up the sun. “You up for taking that chance, Rosie-girl?”
I peek from behind my lashes as she grabs her Coke to help wash down her large mouthful.
She purses her lips, considering me. “Are you serious right now?”
I can’t tell if she’s annoyed or pleased. Maybe both. “As serious as a stripper without glitter.”
That gets a small smile out of her. “Thatisserious.”
I watch the ducks and turtles moving around and over the small pond in the middle of NASA’s campus courtyard as I wait her out, knowing she hates any lengthy silence. I’m proven right when, after a moment of my continued reticence she heaves a large, annoyed sigh, her breasts threatening the thin fabric of her T-shirt.
“Fine.” Rose pulls away from me and stands, tossing the rest of her lunch in the nearby trash can. “I’ll go.” Hands on hips, she faces me. “But after, you better fuck me like a stranger.”
I choke on my saliva.
Two employees walking behind her do a double-take.
When I can breathe again, I ask, “And how in the world does one fuck someone like a stranger?”
Rose crosses her arms, the move pressing her breasts up, making the outline of her bra more pronounced. “You hit it hard and beat feet. And by it, I mean me.” She thumbs to herself. “No feelings, no afterglow.”
Chuckling, I stand, guiding her back to where the others are camped out with their lunches on a picnic bench, all nervousness gone. This is why Rose and I work so well together. And why Thanksgiving won’t be laden with expectations.
Right before we reach the girls and Ian’s table, I celebrate with a kiss to her cheek. “Deal. After Thanksgiving, Operation Stranger Danger will be in effect.”
But as I drop her back off, Jules giving me more side-eye and Trish looking dreamily between Rose and me, the jitters return.
’Cause nothing about Rose so far has me wanting to beat feet.
Rose
Trish wastesno time after Vance heads back inside and Ian begins the NASA tour. “You two makesucha cute couple.” She’s leaning in close so only I can hear as Ian and Jackie point out the different buildings and what people do inside them.
