Page 20 of Defending the Post
“Green Monster or I’ll reveal your identity,” she said, dancing her brows.
“Your weird ass would want the monster.”
I paid the vendor and knocked down the three shots with ease. He handed Erin the medium-sized stuffed monster animal. She snuggled it and her smile made it worth it.
“Funnel cakes, let’s go,” she said.
Giving slight resistance, she dragged me to the line with two other couples. The sight of her examining her stuffed animal provided me with a sense of satisfaction. Maybe Pops was right, I’m too far gone, but I don’t know. As the line moved forward, I replayed his advice.
“How many?” the older black man with a neat gray beard and white uniform asked.
“Two,” I said.
“One. Plain please,” Erin interrupted.
She turned to me. “I can’t eat a full funnel cake. Okay, pay the man for one cake.”
“How you come to the pier broke?” I asked as I pressed my phone against the payment machine.
“I’m not broke but you’re going to pay for being mean to me,” she said.
I shook my head as Erin giggled. She accepted the funnel cake handed to her through the window. She passed me the bear and munched on her food. She offered me a few pieces as we walked. We finished the funnel cake before making it to the lemonade stand. I followed behind as Erin stopped by a few additional vendors before we left.
“Thank you, Marquise,” Erin said as we traveled home.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll send you a bill,” I said before I shifted gears.
“Our friendship is starting out great already,” Erin said.
“Friendship?”
“Yes, friendship, as in bestie,” Erin said, before she shifted her legs to me. “Have you ever had a female best friend?”
I switched lanes, ignoring her comment.
“Of course not. This is going to be great, Marquise,” she said.
“I have associates, but friends is pushing it. Is it possible to be cordial and have casual sex?” I said.
Erin turned her head to me, intrigued by my answer.
“Keep talking,” she said, and I smirked.
“Women are so nosey. My exchanges with women aren’t always sexual. We sometimes have some dope-ass conversations, but I wouldn’t call them friends,” I said.
Erin placed her hand on the middle console as she stared at me. I wondered if her lips were as soft as I imagined.
“That’s interesting. So you’re only mean to me,” she said, and I didn’t respond. “I propose we be friends but without the sex. Maybe we could have some dope-ass conversations. Who knows, we could be great together,” she said and swiped my hand.
The taillights in front of me flashed as I played with her suggestions. I mean, it could help me to get to know her better.
“Okay.”
“Okay?” she questioned with widened eyes and impatience.
Committing to a friendship with someone I was attracted to wasn’t a smart move. This could be harder than winning the Basketball League Finals.
“I’m willing to try it. How does it work?” I asked to gain insight into her definition of a friendship.
