We both get what we want. No strings attached.
It sounds like a great plan.
23
emily
Ihelp set the table as Ben cooks fresh eggs and bacon with a side of buttered toast. He also had a cup of coffee brewing in the Keurig machine for me when I finally worked up the courage to face him. I gave myself a stern pep talk while washing up in the bathroom and changed into my least raggedy sweatpants and sweatshirt for the conversation. After all, I will not change myself for anyone. Not anymore.
I settle down at the table and patiently wait for him to join me. I’m catching up on the latest Kindle Unlimited borrow when Ben comes over with our breakfast. He places a plate before me and sits down. Mustering my courage, I look him directly in the eyes and sit up straight. Despite my little pep talk, I’m still nervous about how this morning will go. It doesn’t help that I feel like he’s staring straight into my soul and picking me apart from the inside.
Does he see what Logan saw?Does he think I’m not good enough for him?
I experience a fleeting moment of self-doubt. Dismissing Logan from my mind, I concentrate on the present moment.
“Thank you for cooking,” I finally say, and he smirks at me before digging in. Ben doesn’t drink coffee, which is so bizarreto me since it practically flows in my veins. Instead, he has a glass of fresh orange juice. I watch in rapt fascination at the way his biceps flex as he brings the glass to his full lips and how his Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows.
I hear him chuckle and look up to see he’s looking at me again in amusement. I swear I flush as red as a tomato. I pick up a piece of bacon and chew on it. After carefully swallowing, I wash it down with a swig of my freshly brewed coffee and burn my tongue.
After several tense moments, I break the silence.
“So… about earlier…”
“Yeah? What about it?” He has an eyebrow raised in question as he continues to eat his breakfast.
“I’ve never done anything like that before…” He smirks at me.
“Me neither.”
“I know we both just got out of terrible relationships, so… I mean, it doesn’t have to mean anything…” I trail off.
He suddenly tenses and puts his fork down gently on the table. He looks at me with a guarded expression.
“I don’t want to, you know, make this a bigger deal than it is, and since we’re both not ready to jump into a new relationship… maybe we keep things casual like a friends-with-benefits kinda thing? Only, well, we’re roommates, so it would technically be roommates with benefits,” I titter nervously.
Ben continues to look at me but says nothing for a moment before he dips his chin down in a nod.
“Roommates with benefits,” he says slowly. “Sure, I can do that if that’s what you want.”
I let out a sigh of relief.
“Okay. Good. Perfect.”
He clears his throat, and I look up at him.
“Let’s get one thing straight.”
My eyes widen at his serious tone, and I tilt my head in question.
“When you’re with me, you won’t be with any other guy. I don’t share, and I don’t plan on ever sharing you with anyone else. You got me?”
I nod in answer. I didn’t even think about the logistics. Obviously, I wouldn’t also be hooking up with other guys when I’m with him, but I guess he doesn’t know that, so I’m glad he laid it all out on the table. But if I can’t be with other people, then the rules should also apply to him.
“That sounds fair, but that also means you can’t be with other women when we’re together.”
“Fine,” he replies quickly.
“Okay, fine.”
