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12
In the two weeks following the breakup, she spent more nights at Alex’s than she did in her own bed. Weekends especially meant sleepovers. But hanging out there on weeknights was now the norm as well.
The frequent interruption of his work also gave him the chance to educate her on consulting. He enjoyed mansplaining, but the humor in his condescending smirk confirmed he was only hamming it up… most of the time.
Still, they met for lunch every day too. Alex was a staple, a good friend she couldn’t imagine her life without.
At some point, weaning them off the sheer volume of time they spent together would be necessary if either of them ever wanted an actual romantic relationship with anyone again. Though that probably wasn’t on Alex’s mind yet. Whatever was on his mind, he was keeping to himself. More than two weeks had passed since the breakup and Alex still hadn’t talked about it.
She did her best to be sensitive with talk of love or romance. Any time she tried to bring up Lance or the breakup, Alex would say he didn’t want to talk about it. It couldn’t be healthy to block off such an important part of himself.
Alex spent so much time working. His phone rang at regular intervals and every once in a while, he’d disappear to do things on his laptop. Keeping busy, dampening and ignoring his emotions wasn’t necessarily healthy, but if that was how he processed…
On another note, Bryan and Tia were back together already. No big surprise. One night, Tia snuck out of the apartment and met up with him in secret. Figured. Gwen would’ve blasted right through Bryan if he tried that sweet talking thing while she was within earshot.
No ring resided on Tia’s finger, but the woman claimed to be happy. Why did Tia put up with it? The stress had to be taking years off her life. But it wasn’t her place to judge, not explicitly anyway, just to support.
Her phone buzzed on the kitchen counter and lit up to reveal a Huddle message notification.
HottForMe: I’m in town. When can we get together?
Shit.
Demetri’s Huddle username might be stupid, but it suited him. In more ways than one.
Her phone logged into the social media app automatically. She hadn’t used it for months.
“What’s that?” Gwen asked, peeking over her shoulder. “Oh my God! No!”
“What?” she asked, putting the phone facedown on their kitchen island.
“You are not going out with him. You’re not hooking up with him. Just no. No, Rainie.”
Inhaling, she turned to hop up and sit on the counter. “What harm can it do to say hey?”
Gwen was filling her infuser, so it could do its thing in the fridge overnight before her friend took it to the office the next day.
It was a shame that on one of her rarer nights at home, Tia hadn’t been around. Catching up with Gwen was nice, but her concern for their other roommate remained high.
“Haven’t we just gone through this with Tia?”
“This is so not the same as that.”
“It so is,” Gwen said. “What do you plan to do? Go for dinner? Drinks? You just want sex?”
“It has been a while.” Her friend peeked over her shoulder to glare. “What? What is wrong with getting laid?”
“Nothing,” Gwen said, chopping her fruit again.
“Women are allowed to enjoy sex in this century.”
“Yeah, in some circles. Sex is great, but why do you have to do it with your sleazy ex?”
“Dem might not be… cerebral—”
“Might not be conscious half the time you mean,” Gwen said. As expected, Gwen did not apologize for her judgment. “You can do so much better than him. You need someone who excites you, but someone who’s actually engaged. I doubt Dem could answer ten questions about you.”
“Who cares about talking? I have you and Alex for talking.”
