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It seems completely natural for us to do this – mix business with pleasure. We move flawlessly between talk of Pacifica and enjoying each other's touch. After cleaning up and returning to the porch, we spend more time talking about Pacifica and our plans for the future. Around nine thirty, when there's a pleasant lull in the conversation, there's a knock at the door.
"What the fuck?"
India glances at me. "No one comes over to my place without texting me first," she says and grabs her bag from the office.
"Oh, crap," she says when she has her phone in hand. "It's Marina."
I stand there, watching her panic. "Just answer the door."
"She'll freak if she finds you here."
"I've been here before," I reply.
I go over to the door while India stands there like a deer in the headlights. I open it and there stands Marina, her cell in her hand.
"Hey," she says.
"Hey," I reply. "Come on in. India and I were just talking about Pacifica."
"I figured you were here when I saw your car."
Marina comes in. India's standing there, her phone in her hand.
"Sorry," she says and shrugs helplessly. "My cell was in my bag in my office and I didn’t hear your texts."
"Obviously," Marina says. "I just came over to check on you since you didn’t answer. You always answer."
"Thanks for being concerned," India says.
"It smells really good in here," Marina says and goes to the kitchen. There's a container of leftover chicken marsala in the fridge and I'm surprised at how free Marina feels to just barge into India's house and check out her food. "What's this?" she asks.
"Chicken marsala," I reply. "I cooked tonight."
"You cooked?" Marina asks, eyeing me.
"I did," I said. "I'm renowned among my former Army buddies for my grub-cooking skills"
"Do you want a glass of wine?" India offers and holds up her own glass. Her voice wavers, and I know she's nervous.
Marina glances from me to India. "No, that's fine. I'll go."
She turns and heads out the door and I can see India panic.
I grab India and stop her. "Nice seeing you, Marina," I say.
Marina turns back and glances at us once more. I can tell she's really fighting not to say something about me being there alone with India.
"We'll talk later," she says to India and makes the phone sign with her hand.
"Sure," India replies, forcing a smile.
The door closes and India turns to me, her eyes wide. After we hear the car's engine, India bursts out laughing.
"Oh my God," she manages between laughs. "What the hell just happened?"
"Busybody Marina just happened." I go to India and pull her into my arms. "I think the cat's out of the bag now. You'll probably get an urgent call from her warning you off. You better practice your response."
"I know what she'll say." India wraps her arms around my neck. "She'll say you're totally wrong for me and that I should be meeting the new man that MATCHED found for me.”
