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“Hey, do you mind stopping at the quickie mart?” Olga asked. “We’re out of twinkies.”

Olga had been obsessed with twinkies since I’d first shared one with her as a kid. She ate them regularly as an adult and just like when she was a kid, she’d break her twinkie in half, stick out her tongue, and lick out a portion of the whipped cream filling. Unlike when we were kids, seeing her tongue covered in cream now made me think of very different activities.

“Yeah sure.”

When we got home, we put away the leftovers from dinner and opened a bottle of wine. For some reason, having a glass of red wine and a twinkie had become a little ritual of ours on some of the nights when we were home together.

“The best thing you ever did was introduce me to these,” Olga said, her eyes closing in pleasure as she licked out the cream filling. “They’re like a little slice of heaven.”

I closed my eyes and willed my cock to be still. Every time we did this, it became harder. I’d even had a sex dream where she put some of that cream on my dick and licked it off.

I ate my own twinkie thoughtfully as I replayed the conversation at dinner.

“Why are your parents so convinced that you need someone to take care of you?” I asked.

“It’s partly my fault,” she said. “I’ve never been married or had a long term relationship. I’m always moving apartments, even though my boss has offered a dozen times to help me buy a place of my own. My moving every year or two makes them think I’m flighty, and out of pure laziness I never really replaced the crappy old furniture I thrifted when I first graduated college and moved out on my own.”

“Is that why you ditched your furniture?” I asked curiously.

“Yeah, it wasn’t the best. Looking back, I’m embarrassed that I was living like a kid, and spending so much money on takeout and delivery apps. It just…I don’t know, didn’t feel important to do anything else.”

She sighed deeply, then took another bite of twinkie. “In their minds, I’ve never really grown up.”

“But you have an important job, with a lot of responsibility.”

“Yeah, but I’m not changing the world like Alona is with her job working to resettle Ukrainian migrants in this country. As far as my parents know, I’m just some rich guy’s secretary, making coffee and taking notes.”

“Don’t they know you’re a project manager, and real estate tycoon Mark Barone’s right hand woman?” I asked. “Did you tell them that he gave you the responsibility of setting up his new foundation too?”

“They’re not really interested,” she said sadly. “I’m just the flighty baby of the family, and that’s why I need someone to take care of me.”

“Your family doesn’t know you at all,” I said firmly.

Her eyes met mine. “Yeah. They really don’t, not like you do.”

Olga

Something was happening with me and Michael, I could feel it. It was like there was an invisible string between us, compelling us to move close as we stared at each other. He leaned forward slightly and then I did the same, and before I knew it, our mouths were only a few inches apart.

Oh my God, we were finally going to kiss! I swayed a little closer, my eyes starting to close as Michael’s hand lifted to cup the side of my face.

Yeeeoowww!

We jumped apart as Nutella shrieked, then climbed up my leg and settled on my lap. He leaned towards Michael aggressively, hissing. Michael held up his hands like he was facing down the cops instead of a jealous cat.

“Nutella!” I chided.

“Okay buddy, you’re right,” Michael said. “That was probably a really bad idea.”

I tried not to feel hurt by his words. I mean, he was right. We had a good thing going here as roommates and in just a few short months, Michael had become one of my best friends. I hadn’t so much as glanced at the rental listings even once since I moved in here. If something were to happen between us, we’d probably both regret it.

Probably.

Or something incredible. Without knowing for sure, it wasn’t a risk I was willing to take.

“I’d better go to bed,” I said, setting my cat back down on the floor so I could put my wine glass in the dishwasher. “I’ll see you later.”

As I walked out of the room, Michael stopped me.