Page 7 of FWB

Kenny

“Hello, pookie. How was your trip? Get any fun in the sun?”

“Yeah, I was able to go to the beach for a little bit yesterday. It was relaxing. I’m glad to be home, though. How are my babies?”

Sam rolls his eyes as he puts the car in drive and pulls out. “The cats are fine. They didn’t starve while you were gone if that’s what you’re worried about. They’re still as fat and happy as they were when you left.”

For as much as I dislike people, I love animals.

There’s just something about their furry figures that I can’t resist. My three cats are no exception.

“Don’t be jealous that I brought them some good catnip from California.

I also brought you this,” I say, reaching into my backpack to retrieve the vape cartridge I snagged from a dispensary while in LA.

Sam looks over and I can practically see him melt. “Oh, bless your soul.”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought. Just get home so we can crack into the stuff I bought. That’s not all I got.”

“Oh, I love it when you have to leave for work.”

“Gee, I missed you too.”

“You know I missed you. The house is too quiet without your ass bumping into shit and mumbling all the time.”

I smile, knowing my mumbling is one of his biggest pet peeves.

We pull into the driveway of our two-story craftsman home built in the 1980s, which has barely been updated in the four decades since.

When I enter the house, I’m immediately greeted by my cat, Tibbs.

Setting down the bags, I scoop him up and cradle him like an infant.

“How’s my boy doing? Did you miss Daddy?

” I ask, booping his nose with my own. He lets out a soft meow and starts to wiggle out of my hold. I set him down on the couch.

I make my way to my bedroom in the back to unload my stuff.

I’m so exhausted, yet I can’t help but be excited to go to work tomorrow.

I haven’t stopped thinking about Tiegan since last Monday.

How has it only been a week since I’ve seen her, yet it feels like a million years?

I feel like I could have missed out on a thousand moments with her.

Scenarios played out in my mind all week of what she might be doing at that same moment in time.

Was she filing something for one of our attorneys?

Or perhaps she’s walking around the floors searching for her mail pick-ups?

I wonder how she takes her coffee? Does she even drink coffee?

She could be more of an herbal tea kind of girl.

I can see that. I could barely concentrate on my work in LA because I was constantly thinking about her.

My thoughts are continually consumed by a woman I’ve talked to a total of ten minutes. What is happening to me?

The next morning, I wake up and take an extra long shower, letting the heat radiate throughout my body.

When I get out, I make my way over to my closet in search of what to wear.

Normally I’d throw on a T-shirt and jeans, and call it a day.

Now that I know I’ll be seeing Tiegan in a couple of hours, my decision is a bit more difficult.

I want to impress her for some reason. Opting for a navy button up and a pair of jeans, I leave the shirt untucked.

I’m not in the best shape; some would describe me as having a “dad bod,” but I don’t mind.

When I arrive at the office parking garage, I notice there’s an open space right next to a delightfully familiar and highly decorated black Honda CR-V.

Tiegan. I pull into the empty spot and park my car.

When I hop out, I take a moment to admire all of her flare.

Stickers from her various stateside travels, pop culture decals, and Halloween-inspired bumper stickers adorn the entire back side of her vehicle.

I take a picture of the back—because I don’t have all day to sit here and dissect her life via her car—and head to the elevators.

When I get to my cubicle, Rex is already at his desk with his earbuds in. He’s probably listening to the new Jack White album if I had to guess. He looks up and takes out one headphone. “Hey, man. How was California?”

“It was fine. Sunny and hot as usual. How were things here?” I ask, setting down my backpack.

“It was quiet, except for Larry causing drama as per usual. He was complaining to his team about the monitor setup for everybody. Apparently, everyone is supposed to have twenty- four-inch monitors, and right now the firm has provided twenty-seven-inch monitors.”

I gasp in mock horror. “Oh, no. God forbid we get three more inches of monitor.” Larry is a massive thorn in everyone’s ass but is completely untouchable because of who his wife is. I just keep my head down and avoid him. It’s been working well for me, so far. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

“Yeah. Crazy, right? Anyway, I met the new girl in the mail room. She dropped off a package for you on Friday.”

“Tiegan stopped by?”

“Yeah, you met her already?”

“Yeah, we actually kept running into each other on her first day. She seems cool.”

“She does. We’re gonna go to a show tomorrow night at the Basement East. I have an extra ticket. Tanner can’t come; he’s sick. Tiegan happens to be going too. You can take Tanner’s ticket if you want,” Rex offers.

I think about it. It would be cool getting to interact with her outside of the office. “Yeah, I’m down. Who’s playing?”

“Dylan LeBlanc.”

“Never heard of him.”

“He’s this indie guy from Louisiana. He’s pretty solid.”

“Alright, cool. Just text me the details.”

“Will do,” he says as he puts his earbud back in, effectively ending the conversation.

A night out with Tiegan. And Rex, but still.

He’ll actually be a good buffer. There’s no way I can get involved with another woman right now.

It’s too soon after dealing with Crazy Pants.

But it couldn’t hurt to be friends with her, right?

Everyone can use more friends, even me. Hell, especially me.

Other than Sam, I’m kind of a loner. I always have been, ever since my mom died when I was five.

I finish the coffee I brought from home and head to the nearest kitchenette to fetch another mug.

As I round the corner, I see Tiegan refilling the creamers.

She’s wearing cropped black trousers that hug her curves, with a button-down blouse adorned with multi-colored cacti.

She looks up when she hears me approach, and a heart-stopping smile spreads across her lips.

They’re a pretty mauve color today. It compliments her burgundy hair.

“Well, hey there, stranger. I was beginning to think I scared you off on my first day,” she teases.

I smile. “Nah, just inconveniently had to fly out to LA for work.”

“Do you travel a lot for work? Or in general?”

“For work, a fair amount. I don’t do a lot of personal traveling. Mainly just home for the holidays.”

“Where is home for you?”

“Boston. Have you ever been?”

“Kind of. I flew into Boston and got a ride to Salem for my thirtieth birthday a couple of years ago with my best friend.”

“Wow! Salem over Halloween. That’s hardcore.”

“Yeah, it was wild! We happened to go when the pandemic was still relatively high, so it wasn’t as crowded as it could have been.

I had a blast. I’d love to visit again sometime.

I usually either take a trip or get a new tattoo for my birthday.

I’ve been to a few different spooky locations, like Salem, Sleepy Hollow, and New Orleans.

Last year I got a new tattoo though.” She pulls up her black pant leg to show off the raccoon tattoo I noticed on her first day.

It gives me an excuse to approach her and inspect her leg. I bend down and smell that intoxicating scent again, musk and vanilla. “Is it a raccoon witch?” I ask, admiring the detailing. As strange as the subject is, it’s a beautifully done tattoo.

“Wizard, but yes,” she says as she smiles down at me. “I’m kind of obsessed with trash pandas. They’re just so cute and squishy, despite being disease-ridden. I obviously had to put my own spin on it, adding the wizard aspect.”

“Obviously.” I smile. “It’s an incredibly well-done tattoo.

The colors are so vivid.” I notice the saturated blacks, grays, greens, and blues.

The “wand” looks like it was carved out of real wood; the details are insane.

I have to restrain myself from reaching out and petting her leg because the fur on the raccoon is so lifelike.

“Do you have any ink?”

“Nah, I’ve always wanted one but haven’t taken the plunge.”

“Once you start, you can’t stop. I have twelve.”

Twelve? Oh dear lord. My cock twitches inside my jeans just picturing all the places that ink is hidden.

I rise and can see her arms for the first time.

I notice she has a half-sleeve of what looks like white lace on her left arm, and the word “Kiddo” in someone’s handwriting on her right wrist. I point to her left arm. “Is that white ink?”

“Yeah! My artist specializes in white ink application. This is about ten years old, and I’ve only had it touched up once.”

“It’s incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Thanks!” She beams at me with that bright smile once more. “Well, I better get going. I have to finish stocking the kitchens.” She gestures to the cart full of coffee creamer boxes behind her.

“Oh yeah, for sure. I need to get back to work too. Oh, also I hope it’s okay, but Rex invited me to the show that you guys are going to tomorrow night. His boyfriend is sick, so he offered me the extra ticket.”

Pleasant surprise spreads across her face. “Oh, that’s awesome! Have you listened to Dylan before?”

“Nope, but I’m always down to find new music.”

“I hope you dig him. He’s great. I’ve known him for years.”

“Cool. I’m looking forward to it,” I say, genuinely meaning it now. “I’ll let you get back to work.”

“Alright. I’ll catch you later.”

I walk away and sit back down at my desk. Shit. I didn’t even refill my coffee.