Page 55 of If It Can't Be Us

“Sorry, love. A friend needs me. Are you okay if I sneak out? You can stay and sleep; I’ll be back soon.”

She nods and turns over.

Damn, I forgot Ashley was here. We’ve hooked up a few times over the past few years, running into each other at various events. She’s a cool chick, looking for the same no-strings-attached arrangement as me. I trust her enough to leave her alone here for a bit.

I quickly text Vivian back before she decides to head over… that could get awkward.

Leo:I’ll come to you. Be there in five, just need to throw some clothes on.

I add a winky face emoji.

Vivian:Thanks, just let yourself in.

I have Vivian’s door code for the keypad lock, and she has mine. Quickly, I throw on some joggers and a fitted long-sleeve athletic shirt before heading downstairs.

I let myself into Vivian’s place. The main floor is dark, so I head upstairs toward her bedroom on the fourth floor, where light spills into the hallway.

Her lamp casts a soft glow around the room. Vivian is sitting up, resting against a pile of pillows, knees pulled tightly to her chest. She stares blankly at the wall, her face a mask of emptiness, save for the tear stains that show she’s been crying.

When she turns to look at me and offers a weak smile, I’m immediately by her side. Climbing into bed next to her, I pull her close, wrapping my arms around her in a bear hug and drawing her near.

“Do you want to talk about it? What do you need from me?” I hold her close and stroke her hair as she rests her head on my shoulder.

“I don’t know.” She sits up and looks at me. “Can you just stay with me for a bit? Be a distraction?”

God, I can think of a million distractions I’d love to give Vivian right now, but those are off the table. “Of course. I’ll stay with you for a bit.”

“We can put pillows between us if we have to.” She pulls one of the pillows from behind her to create some space between us.

I grab the pillow midair and return it back behind her. “There’s no need for that. Given the circumstances, we can blur the lines for one night. I’m here to comfort you, and that’s what I intend to do.”

“Really?” She says doubtfully, leaning back against the pillows. “I expected you to be a bit more of a pussy… you’re normally such a rule follower.” She looks up and smirks.

There she is.

She’s just fuckin’ with me, trying to laugh and take her mind off things.

My eyes widen in shock. “A pussy? Really, Viv?”

She lets out a soft laugh, and I’m overcome with the need to make her feel better. She needs me right now, so I push aside the fact that she looks sexy as hell in her tight little pajama top that’s low-cut, her nipples faintly visible, and matching shorts that are so short her ass cheeks are practically hanging out. For the first time, I notice a larger floral hip tattoo peeking out from the side of her shorts. I want to see all of it, but right now, I have to be the friend she needs.

I relax, keeping one arm wrapped around her shoulder. “Talk to me. What’s going on in that head of yours?”

She sits up to face me, crosses her legs and pulls a blanket into her lap, aware that her shorts would give me a full view if she didn’t cover up. “Where did you end up going tonight?” she asks casually, picking at a fuzzy on the blanket.

“Meredith and Piper dragged me to a cocktail lounge for Piper’s employee’s birthday.”

“And? Did you enjoy yourself?” She makes eye contact and forces a smile.

“I did. You know Mer and Piper, it’s hard not to have fun with them. The birthday boy, Johnny, is the manager at the bar Piper owns. He practically runs the place. He does his job well and helps Piper out a lot. He’s a good friend of hers.”

“Well, that’s great. I’m glad you had fun.” She hesitates. “I’m surprised you weren’t occupied when I texted you.”

Ah, fuck. Now I feel obligated to tell her about Ashley, at home, warming my bed. “Actually… I do have company. She’s at my house… in my bed.”

She flinches. “You left a random person in your house to come over here?” she asks with concern.

“No,” I say gently, “I do know her a bit. We’ve hooked up a few times before.”

---