Co-Workers With Benefits

D I O N

I walk into the basement bathroom and grab a few sweats from the drawers so I can change out of my work clothes and workout.

I still have a few more arrangements to make before Saturday so I put my AirPods into my ears and search for the number of a really popular cake place by our house.

"Good afternoon, this is cake castle how can I help you?" The man on the other end picks up.

"Hey, I'd like to order two cakes for this Saturday." I walk out of the bathroom and step onto the treadmill, setting it slow and starting with a steady walk.

"Okay, sir. What kind of cake would you like and may I please know the occasion?"

"I'd like one red velvet cake with vanilla buttercream and the other, a vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream. It's for a baby shower."

"Mmhm...okay, and sir, do you have ideas in mind?"

"Yeah."

"Okay sir, if you would just send them over to me, we'll be able to have your cakes ready by Friday."

"No problem, that's great. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Have a nice day."

"You too."

I end the call and pull up both photos of the cakes I'd like for them to make and I send it over to the number I just called.
After that's sorted, I turn up the speed on the treadmill to a sprint.

~

Thirty minutes into the session, my phone rings. I tap my AirPod and answer the call.

"Dion baby, I need help."

I drop the weight in my hand back down, sitting up on the bench press. "What's up mama? Which room are you in?"

"I'm in my beauty room. I just need help picking some things up."

"Okay baby, I'm coming."

I quickly dry myself with the towel before taking the stairs two at a time to the top floor. I push open the door and see Venice holding onto her chair, trying to reach the scattered combs, clips and products on the floor.

I quickly hurry to help her up onto the seat and kneel on the carpet, picking all the things up.

"I'm sorry, I dropped them by accident. I was tryna reach the comb then th-"

"Why you apologising? Don't worry mama, it's fine."

"But you were busy."

I grab her hand, pulling her down to give her a kiss.

"You worry so much bout everything."

"I just feel bad easily, ion like to interrupt people from things they doing so they can help me. I get scared I'm being annoying."

I don't know whether overthinking is a pregnancy symptom or if it's just something that all girls do, but ever since she got pregnant, she's constantly been paranoid that she's become some kind of burden to me.

"Bae you'll never annoy me, you can always ask me for anything. I'll get it for you."

"See, now you making me feel useless again."