Friends Can Have Benefits Too

Eleven: Quick Rules

Chapter 11:

I found myself waking up in my bed with a smile. The window was clear with bright streaks of light coming through. And it outlined Parker's body. I laid there hearing him breathe softly.

"You up?" He asked.

"No. I'm sleeping."

"Oh," he said with an emphasized sigh, "well since you're asleep maybe I might..." suddenly he pounces on me attacking me with tickles.

I was bursting with laughter. Tears were beginning to form. So to put a stop to it, I go for his weak spot; His lips. I kiss him hard. And he pulled back abruptly. The cute moment vanished as his face twisted with something.

"What? Did I do something wrong?" He got off me and sat on the edge of the bed.

"No. Just, I think if we're going to do this friends with benefits thing... we should have rules."

I sat up, fully attentive. "Yes. I agree."

"Where do we start?"

"Okay... for one, we can't tell anyone. Two, we can't be you know... sexual in public."

"Okay. Uh, Three, only kissing and touching when we both agree. Like last night. You called; I said yes. But when you kissed me this morning..."

"Totally crosses the friend thing. I get it." Even though, I really didn't.

"Good. You understand. And four, this is only permanent, so eventually we'll be seeing other people. When that happens this ends."

"The sex part right?" I asked worriedly. I don't want to lose him.

"Of course. I can't just forget you. I mean we work together," he joked. But I wasn't amused.

"Mia, I'm joking. I won't forget you," he teased. I smiled happy to hear him say that even if there was a hint of sarcasm.

"Okay. Is that all?"

"Oh and five, we're still friends so don't forget that. You need me? I'm here."

"Same here, Park. Alright move over slow poke I got to get dressed."

He stayed there a little longer as I got up. But with a sigh he came up from behind me. And he gave me a hug. He was a bit taller so he rested his chin on my shoulder. "Thank you. I've been a mess. I didn't even want to go to the book signing yesterday, if you couldn't tell I kept messing up more than usual. Georgia wasn't having it and sent me home."

"Really? I'm sorry I hadn't paid attention. I had my own issues."

"Yeah you mentioned them last night but you didn't really talk to me."

I held his arms longer. Relying on his comfort to give me courage to tell him my story. He let go and turned me around. I wouldn't look him in the eyes. But his eyes were daring me, taunting me. I found myself making eye contact with him.

"You can tell me anything. I—"

My phone interrupted. It was Rachel's ringtone, thank god.

"It's Rachel. I have to get it," I escaped his intense stare and ran to my phone.

Before I could even put it to my ear, her voice screamed. "MIA! MIA THOMPSON! YOU WOULD NOT GUESS WHAT HAPPENED!"

"Ow," I pulled the phone away from my soon to be bleeding ear. I mouthed to Parker, Sorry it's important.

He nodded and began to get dressed.

I walked into the kitchen with her on the phone. "Chill, I'm barely waking up I can't understand you when you're yelling like a yeti."

As I brewed the coffee, she explained what she was on about. "Okay, so last night, Ollie boy stood me up!"

I put my mug down and I didn't know what to say, "I'm so–"

"Besides the point."

"Oh," I said slightly confused.

"So as I waited around like a fool, a cute guy came to this girls rescue. His name is Matthew. And he is a total hottie. A total upgrade from class clown Ollie boy. I mean don't get me wrong Oliver is hot, but he's officially a jerk. Anyways, as I had the time of my life with Matthew, he said he would drop me off. And. Oooh this is the good part. Guess!"

"Uh... it was a dream?" I shrugged.

"No silly! He dropped me off in his private limo! He's rich!"

"Aw that's great Rach. You'll finally be able to afford premium on the tv now!" I brought out the eggo waffles and butter.

"Shut up! Premium is $10 more dollars monthly, way out of my Ramen budget. So, anyways. He wants to take me on an official date. And even better news he has a friend! What do you say?" I placed the waffles in the toaster, pondering the situation.

"A date?"

Perfect timing. Parker walks in with a judgmental look. I give him the look back in annoyance. What?

"A date, really?" He asked. Suddenly it hit me; the rules. If I start dating then we can't be seeing each other... naked. I don't think that's something I want to give up just yet. Oh god, I sound like a slut.

"Hello? Mia? Is someone there with you?" She asked with concern.

"Uh. No. That's just the Tv. So I think I'll have to say no to the double date. I'm not really looking for anything right now. I'm pretty happy with how things are.." I smiled to myself.

"Mmmhm. That's why you and Parker were sucking faces a couple of days ago. Also, you never told me what happened afterwards."

The waffles popped out.

"Um can we talk about that later. I have to be at work in thirty minutes. I still haven't got dressed."

"Oh . Fine. But you're spilling it."

"Love youuuu."

Parker raises his eyebrows in question. I grabbed a waffle and threw it at him. Reluctantly he caught it. With a smirk he bit the waffle. What a monster.

"That's why you're walking to work"

He smiled evilly.

"That's why it's my day off."