Free Convenience and Compatibility by Emily Jones Page A

Tara to see my reaction. For
some reason I’m not comfortable with them seeing me with someone
other than Greg.
    “Would you like a drink?” I don’t look at him
– embarrassed at his effect on me.
    “No, I’ll have one at dinner.”
    I look up and he’s leaning against the
counter, smiling. My thoughts subconsciously turn darker: his
penis, his mouth on mine, having him in me, this morning and
fucking me hard from behind. Ahhh. It’s all too much. I excuse
myself and go to my room, grabbing my purse and coat. When I get
there I shut the door and sit on my bed. I can do this. I sip my
drink, silently praying that the evening will go well. Tara calls
from the other room, seeing if I’m ready. I down my drink, grab my
things, and join them.
    “Ready.”
    While I was in my room it was decided that
Dean will drive. I’m guessing Adam and Tara have downed a couple of
shots and I know that in no way am I able to drive. Dean holds my
hand as we walk downstairs and outside to his car. He opens the
door for me and Adam whistles.
    “Damn, nice car Dean.”
    “Thanks.” I love how Dean seems to blow it
off that he has money and nice things. Although I don’t think he is
very wealthy. I know his parents have money and I assume that Dean
is just comfortable.
    After some brief deliberations, mostly from
the boys, we decide to head downtown for dinner. We settle on a
small Italian restaurant on Lower Queen Anne. By the time we park,
I’m feeling the full effect of the two drinks I had. I sit in the
car and wait for Dean to let me out, pretty sure I’ll fall down if
I don’t have him to steady me. It was only two drinks, I keep
telling myself. I hate being such a lightweight. One good thing is
that I’m no longer nervous about the evening.
    Adam and Tara go into the restaurant first,
I’m about to follow, when Dean stops me.
    “Are you alright?”
    “Yes, just a little nervous about tonight so
I drank a tiny bit too much before you picked me up.” I shrug my
shoulders apologetically as this seems to be a common theme for me
when we are together. I look up at him with the best puppy-dog eyes
I can muster and walk inside the restaurant. I hope he doesn’t
think I’m a lush.
    We’re seated in a booth, the boys and girls
facing one another. I’m thinking it’s probably not such a good idea
to have the guys opposite one another, but don’t want to make a big
deal out of it and say nothing. We sit down and Dean’s left hand
goes straight to my leg. I’m pretending to ignore it while I look
at my menu. I just order water and am relieved when they bring a
basket of bread. Everyone else has ordered drinks and we sit there
silently, awkwardly, until Adam breaks the silence.
    “So how did you two meet?” I open my mouth to
answer but Dean beats me to the punch.
    “Mallory gave me some first aid at a health
fair.”
    I interject, looking to Tara, “The Health and
Wellness Fair last September.” She nods with recognition.
    “Weren’t you going out with Greg then?” Adam
stares Dean down as he says this. I’m not sure if he is trying to
make me mad or piss Dean off.
    “No Adam.” I give Tara a look like she needs
to rein her man in. She shrugs and it’s then that I know she will
be no help tonight. I just hope Adam backs off and gives Dean a
chance. I hope they both do.
    Dean looks to me and continues, ignoring
Adam, “And then we went out again in December, but really started
dating this week.”
    I look to Adam again, who is eyeing Dean
suspiciously.
    “Why did you wait so long to start
dating?”
    I roll my eyes at Adam, willing him to shut
up. I know he means well, but sometimes he acts like the
overprotective brother that he’s not. Why does he have to ask so
many questions? I’m not sure how comfortable Dean feels sharing
about the last three years, especially with people he barely knows.
Dean takes it all in stride, talking about the accident and
subsequent head injury like it was no big deal. He