A Shitty Love

4

Simone scribbled away at her desk, already halfway through the steep pile of paper that had sat there when she'd entered her office. As she logged the company's psychology-related happenings for the week, her mind drifted to Levi's strange behavior this morning. While explaining how the washing machines and dryer worked, he'd seemed reluctant to look her at her. "Did I poot on him in my sleep? she pondered, putting a coil of her hair back into the ponytail. How do I even apologize for that . . ."

She finished her work and began gathering her things to leave for lunch when her friends Chaquita and Jamie walked into her office.

"I told you delinquents not to abuse the passes I gave you," Simone greeted them.

"The door dude likes us 'cause we ask about his kids, so we do what we want," said Jamie.

"Apparently you do, too, chick. Why didn't you show up last night!?" Chaquita asked, obviously annoyed.

Simone's expression was blank for a moment and then it dawned on her. "Damn it! I'm sorry guys—I forgot about going out last night! My mind has been a little fuzzed out since yesterday. Some stuff happened and they need me and the other psychologists more than normal."

"And just what do they have you doin' that requires you to forget about your friends?" Chaquita asked directly, her pretty brown face clearly doubtful. Simone looked at her friends while deciding whether or not she should spill all the beans on her short, hot guest. Chaquita's slim figure was poised nonchalantly against the wall and Jamie had plopped his muscular tanned body into one of the armchairs. Chaquita was dressed as if she were on a lunch break from her corporate job, too; Jamie was dressed casually in a graphic tee and cargo jeans.

"There are these people who we're testing some new steroids we're developing on, and they need round-the-clock monitoring. To make sure they're not losing it from the drugs. It was really sudden, buuuut, I'm monitoring one of them at my apartment to see how he does in real life."

Chaquita looked at her and raised an eyebrow. Jamie accepted this explanation. "Girl or guy?"

"Guy."

"So you hittin' that?" Jamie asked with a mischievous smirk.

"Oh my god, Jamie, really?" Simone said, almost laughing. "I said he is a test subject."

"But are you testing his subject, though?"

Chaquita and Simone laughed at his ridiculousness. "Are we going to lunch or what?"

"Calm your tits, I brought it to you." Chaquita pulled a plastic bag from Simone's favorite sandwich shop out of her purse.

"Ugh, I love you, Keda." Simone said, grabbing it and setting out the food on her desk.

"It was a group effort, though," said Jamie.

"I love you, too, James," she added in sing-song.

"Prove it," Chaquita demanded. "Come out tonight to make up for your rudeness last night."

"You know I can't say no when my love for my roll dawgs is in question."

Chaquita nodded with satisfaction while Simone dug gratefully into her meal. They slipped into light conversation and whiled away what was left of their lunch hour. Chaquita was still doing well as a CPA; math came naturally to her and she enjoyed it. Jamie, an ex-soldier, busied himself as a trainer. He didn't need much work, having gotten out of the Army with full benefits and a constant check for injuries he'd received while deployed.