Page 25 of Committed to You

“Seriously?”

“Yes.” Meredith and I are strictly friends with benefits. It’s a very clear arrangement, and she knows the rules. It has to be convenient for both people, and, right now, it is not convenient for me. I kiss her on the cheek and guide her through the house and out the door.

Meredith begrudgingly leaves, and I take a deep breath. I need to explain it to Vivian.

Vivian isn’t with Jamison or Quinn. I walk over to her bedroom and knock.

“Come in,” she calls out.

I step inside and close the door. “I’m sorry about that.”

“You don’t have to be sorry or explain anything to me.”

I lie on the bed next to her but turn toward her. “Meredith is not my girlfriend.”

“Yeah, I got that. She’s Thursday.”

I laugh. “Some people need more direction than others.”

Vivian doesn’t say anything, and the pit in my stomach grows. I’m digging the hole deeper. Might as well put it out there. I have nothing to lose at this point.

“I don’t do serious, and I never cheat.”

Vivian is thinking who knows what.

“Say something.”

“So you just have sex with multiple people, but they all know there are others.”

“Yes. There is full transparency.”

“You’re the no relationship guy?”

I laugh. “If that is what you want to box me into, then yes.”

“Okay. Thanks for telling me. Let’s go make noodles.” She jumps off the bed, and, while she tries to sound fine, I know I’ve hurt her.

I grab her when she comes around the bed. “Hey.”

The spark that was in her eyes for me in the kitchen is no longer there.

“I really like you.”

Blinking her eyes, she slowly nods. “I like you, too.”

“If I’ve hurt you, I’m sorry.”

“You haven’t. We’re fine,” she quickly says.

“But—”

She puts her finger over my mouth. “Let’s go make noodles.”

Hesitantly, I follow her out to the kitchen. During the evening, we somehow make it back to how it was before Meredith came into the picture.

After dinner, Quinn and Jamison decide to play video games in the living area. I turn to Vivian. “Let’s go watch a movie.”

“Where?”

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