Shinta

“But please Josi? Just this one time?” I know pleading like this is childish but what am I supposed to do? My childhood friend is straight as an arrow. He hardly has ever dated but when he did it was always with women. Granted, it never lasted long. I just don’t think he’s the dating type. Seriously, I worry about him. He’s going to be alone forever as a little stick in the mud. 

“No,” he says to me again. See? Stick in the mud. The least I can do is have some fun while I just stay by his side. I need to get my frustration out somehow. And drowning myself in dick is the best way to forget. Even if it makes me feel hollow inside. At least I can forget for a little while. 

“Pleaseeee, just make me his drink and I’ll do the rest! That’s it!” I give him my best princess eyes. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten any and he seems like the kinda guy that could really throw me around. “I’m begging you, just this once?”

“Okay, but this is the last time. I’m done playing your wingman for your weird little side quests.” 

Got him! I knew he couldn’t say no to me! “Thank you! I love you! I don’t know what I’d do without you. You’re seriously the best.” And I’m not lying. He seriously is the best. I’m not sure what I did to get him for a best friend but I’m going to cherish it for the rest of my life. 

“Yeah, yeah. I love you too. Now, go sit down before I change my mind.” He looks a bit angry and a mix of something else I can’t quite place. There’s no point in grilling him about it though, he wouldn’t tell me if I asked.

He brings the drinks over to me while I sit by the window. The sun catches him and my heart skips. He seriously is so perfect. Deep brown eyes and little angle bite piercings that are to die for. His curly wolf cut glowing a soft brown in the sunlight. Seriously. How come he has to be straight? It’s so not fair. 

“Thank you, Josi,” I say as I grab my cup from his hands. My heart flutters when our fingers touch and I shove the feeling down. The last thing he’s going to want is his best friend ruining their friendship by hitting on him. I’ve hid it for this long, I can keep going. 

“No problem.” He lets go of the cup and heads back to the register. 

I sit for so long that I start to worry that Simon's drink will get cold. Maybe this was a bad idea. I at least should have waited until he arrived to order his drink for him. Every time the doorbell rings I look up but so far no luck. 

Maybe I should just go home. Who knows what time he’s going to arrive or if he’s even going to come in today. This was a long shot anyway.

Ding!

I look up again and this time it’s really Simon. Excitement and nervousness fight in my stomach. God damn is he hot. Those arms in that tight underarmour. Baggy sweats hanging loosely around his hightops. That will be enough to help me forget most things for a while. 

“Simon, over here.” I wave him over and gesture to the seat in front of me. He looks around for a second like I could be talking to someone else before coming over to take the seat across from me. 

“My name is Shinta, it’s nice to meet you. Sorry if this is weird. I got your name from Josiah. I saw you yesterday and really wanted to hang out.” Holy shit am I sweating. Why am I sweating so bad? This should be easy peasy, but this is a little more nerve wracking than I was expecting. Maybe I’m just getting old. “That coffee is for you.”

“Thanks,” he replies. 

The silence is awkward as hell as I try to figure out what to talk about. He pulls out a book and starts to read. When I try to see what he’s reading I notice he has one of those stretchy book covers over it like I used to use in high school. 

“What are you reading?” I bet it’s something embarrassing or pervy since he has a book cover on it.  

“Better Homes Magazine?” He says looking not at all convincing. For one, that’s a book not a magazine. Two, that’s the best you could come up with?

“It’s a little stuffy in here, you want to go for a walk instead?” I ask, hoping an activity will help alleviate the awkwardness. “The park nearby is really nice.”

“Sure.” He stands up, closing his book.