The Shop

Chapter 4

It's about twelve in the afternoon now and I can hear Tara humming to herself making lunch. I haven't  left the bedroom since our little scream off earlier and now I'm really bored. Eventually ending this game I have been playing with myself I walk down the hall and see Tara in the kitchen fixing salads, occasionally glancing back at the TV to watch and old episode of Grey's Anatomy. 

"Spoiler alert, they all die." When I walk into the kitchen Tara swats my arm but she knows it's true. I pick a slice of tomato off of her cutting board and pop it into my mouth. Tara eyes me but lets it slide. 

Leaning my back on a counter top I say, "I love the way those pants fit you." Staring down at her black leggings, I admire the way they fit her lovely curves. I lean off of the counter and press myself onto her back side, wrapping my arms around the front of her waist and burying my head in her hair. 

"Get off of me so I can make us lunch." She says, smiling at my playfulness. Moving my hand around the sides of her waist I pinch her butt and she gasps as I run into the living room. I watch her grab a towel from the kitchen and then she chases me, swatting me on the side of my legs.

"Ow, that one actually hurt." I run to the other side of the couch and she circles me like an animal. Tara's hair is wild and her lips extend to the length of her cheeks. Her attempt to hit me with the cloth over the couch is cute but then I grab the towel and she squeals. It's too late for her because pull her onto the couch and begin to tickle her.

"Apologize!" 

"Never! Har-ry s-stop! My sto-omach!" Her laughter is musical. 

"Say it." I demand with more force.

"Ok! Ok! I'm sorry!"

Stopping my assault I get up and pull her to her feet. She is still laughing when I pull her into a kiss. My hands slowly travel down her back and she wraps her arms around my neck. Before this can get better, Mary's bedroom door opens and her eyes widen with shock as she steps out to find us.

"Am I interrupting something?" Yeah no shit sherlock. 

"Uh no, I was just about to finish making everyone's salad." Tara's cheeks are flushed with embarrassment as she hurries to the kitchen once again. I am now extremely pissed at Mary, but she doesn't seem to notice. Mary makes her way to me in the living room and before she can grab the remote I plop down on my couch and change the channel. Shaking off my rude behavior, Mary grabs slippers that are sitting by the front door and puts them on. 

"I'm going down to get the mail." She announces but no one cares. Finally leaving us alone, I move from the couch back into the kitchen attempting to finish what I started. Placing my hands on both of Tara's hips, I slowly lean on her again, hoping for a reaction.

"Not now Harry." Mary's presence obviously got her out of the mood. You have to love Mary. 

"Done." Tara had set three plates that looked like they should be on a magazine cover. She has always been a perfectionist. 

"Take one." She insists and I oblige. We both carry our plates back to the dining table and eat our meal. Mary joins us a few minutes later, holding a few newspapers and a white envelope. She walks over to me and hands me the white envelope.

"How kind of you." I accept the *gift* and open it finding my bills. 

"It's that time of the month again?" Tara asks with a sigh.

"Your period?" I try to muffle my laughter as Mary snickers. Tara glares at her. I never knew Mary had some jokes. 

Changing the mood I add, "Yes, it is the bills. But I know what you're going to say so don't even think about it." Tara glares at me and snatches the envelope right out of my hands, scanning the page. Tara always fights me on who gets to pay the bills but I usually win. 

"Give it back Tara." My demanding voice doesn't affect her. 

"Wow...that's a lot of money." Tara looks like she is in shock and Mary is trying to peak over he shoulder, messing in our business as usual. 

"Thats what my rent is for." Mary winks at Tara then walks to the kitchen to grab her plate of food. 

"Well we wouldn't need you if you hadn't--" Tara cuts me off and shakes her head to signal me to stop, Mary keeps quiet while joining us at the dining room table. Everyone finishes their meal in silence and Tara is the first to stand up and put her plate away. She probably couldn't take the tranquil silence. 

"I'm going out to the library to study for the midterm." Tara blurts out of no where. She grabs her coat  and keys off of the hook near the door then walks out. About five seconds later Mary and I hear the front door open, looking up to see Tara walking in again.

"I forgot my laptop." I laugh shaking my head and looking down at the table. It takes her about thirty seconds to walk out of the office holding her laptop. But this time before she leaves, Tara walks over to me and whispers in my ear. I can feel her hot breath against my head as she says, "Don't start trouble."

"What could you ever be talking about? I'm a saint." I grin at Tara and she smiles while rolling her eyes, leaving the apartment. Leaving Mary and I alone.

                                                                                            ~:~~:~:~~:~~:~

I can see Mary look up at me from the table but I don't pay her back any glances. This is more awkward then the coffee shop incident. I quickly finish the salad leaving a few stray leaves behind. Standing up quickly makes Mary jump in her seat a little but thats good. I hope she is scared. 

Throwing my dish into the clean sink Mary follows after me, washing her dish and mine. I sift through the cabinets in search of food. Where the hell did Tara hide my chips?

Mary is first to break the silence.

"I want to say thanks for the coffee this morning." 

"Sure, whatever." I mumble, this is why I know being nice gets you no where in life.

"Even if it was a little cold." Mary attempts a joke but I draw the line. The little tidbits she always adds irk the shit out of me and I slam my fists on the countertops causing her to jump. 

In the nicest quality of voice possible I say, "There was an accident at the shop." Mary's face is white with horror and she stutters with her words.

"I was making a j-joke. I knew something hap-pend.I don-n't mind the cold coffee, really." She is obviously terrified. 

"THEN WHY THE FUCK WOULD YOU SAY THAT?" I slam my fists again and she springs off the ground a little, I can see tears streaming down her face. In outrage I storm off into my room, slamming the door behind me. Fucking Mary.