TIFFIN 2

62

I felt at home more than I ever had in the past as I dug my hand into the fresh bag of popcorn. The comedy Emma had picked was a flick of a bunch of old men performing cheap goofs. 

Though it was expected, it didn't fail in making me double over in laughter the entire time. 

"Why do you try to make each other jealous?" Emma asked out of the blue.

I tore my eyes from the screen taken aback by the sudden question. 

"What?" 

She shrugged. "You're quite the catch. He's a handsome guy. I don't see the issue."

I crinkled my nose as she grabbed a handful of Sour Patches from another bowl. 

"There's no issue," I began, "it's just.... you don't have a problem with... his tattoos and piercings?" 

For the first time, I really heard her break down and cackle her heart out. 

"It's not like it changes his complexion or anatomy. Do you have a problem with them?"

I shook my head. 

"No- I love them. I'm only asking because Charlie and Elouise had a hatred for them. They engrained it in my head that it was something grotesque. I was only trying to get your opinion on it." 

Emma cleared her throat. 

"Kristina. Elouise and Charlie, they are what we call jealous hypocrites. They're just bullies. Hero is a great man I can already tell. Plus, he's a cutie pie." 

"That's the thing." I breathed. "He's too good looking for his own good. Whenever we walk together on the street, I can feel girls' eyes on him. And with his past..."

"Hold on!" Emma interrupted, holding up both her hands. "Why are we talking about his past?" 

"Well," I said, taking a deep breath. "He used to be... a major player. And not that long ago." 

I definitely wouldn't be telling her about how when we met, he proposed we have meaningless sex.

She scrunched her brows together. 

"Don't you think it's a bit unfair to judge him like that? I mean... what's the worst thing he could have done?" 

I paused to think about what I really wanted to share. 

"It's not what he's done. It's more about the things around our relationship that effect it. First, tension is always high when we talk about his therapy. He had a lot of stuff happen to him at a young age and I think it haunts him to this day. Second... tonight... he kissed someone..." 

At this, Emma's eyes went wide. 

"How could he do that?" 

I flushed already feeling guilty. 

"I threw some stuff in his face about his childhood. Let's just say he had a family member that did unspeakable things to him when he was ten. To be completely honest, mom, I went on a date to upset him. He did the same. I can't exactly blame him for the kiss." 

When she rose an eyebrow I continued. 

"A few weeks ago, I kissed someone too. Well... sort of. My boss came into my office and planted one on me. And I let him. I did eventually pull away, but not fast enough to respect my boyfriend."
 
Emma leaned back against the couch, overwhelmed by my honesty. 

"Kristina. Oh my. Your boss-? I mean, is that even legal? Does Hero know?" 

I sighed in defeat.