Page 26 of We Can't Be Friends

“You’re friends with a girl?”

“I have girl friends.”

“Emerson and Beatrix don’t count.”

***

“Henry,” I greet Chloe as I walk to the location she sent me a pin for.

Her hair sways off her shoulder as she turns in the direction I’m coming from. I’m met with the same piercing grays from our first interaction.

“Sullivan.” Her voice is low and raspy.

She stands from the colorful metal table she was waiting for me at. Chloe isn’t tall, maybe 5’5”, but her legs are long. Tanned and toned muscular thighs that have me curious what they’d feel like wrapped around my waist. Or snaked around my head.

I go in to hug her. She steps back.

“What are you doing?”

“Hugging you.”

“Not necessary.” Her demeanor mild. “Thanks for getting lunch with me.”

“Want to say that again without looking like it pains you?”

“This is my face.”

“Are you forgetting I made you laugh on Saturday?”

“That was one time,” she barks. “Don’t get too cocky.”

I step closer, lean down, and let my mouth brush against her ear. “Why? Afraid you’llneed a better feel?”

“Not a chance, Sullivan.” Chloe walks to the entrance of the bodega, opening the door. “You don’t need to keep tally of me laughing. It won’t happen again.”

We’ll see about that.

I follow her into the eclectic market. Crates of wine bottles line the center and on opposite sides running in parallel are coolers with beer and other drinks. On the far end of the shop is a wall listing out their menu in chalk.

I skim the menu, noting that all sandwiches and wraps have names that are a play on superhero characters and movies.

“Super Sandwich,” Chloe tells me, noticing my curious scan of the place.

“That explains it.”

“And the decor.”

Glancing around again, I notice that any empty wall space is filled with a range of comics, movie posters, and figurines in their original boxes.

“Do you like superheroes?”

“No,” she replies, as if I offended her. “Best sandwiches in the city. My office is a couple of blocks away. Most days, I come here for lunch, especially during the summer.”

“What should I get?”

“I’ve had everything on their menu, and you can’t go wrong with any of it. Are you in the mood for hot or cold?” She peppers me with questions.

What I’m in the mood for is her. This side of her.

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