As agreed, I waited for Maya at the bottom of the building where she works and it didn't take long to get down. There, we are therefore sitting in front of an outdoor scrub eating choukouya.

Me: So your day?

Maya: Ok still stressful although calm. We work as if we had eggs in our hands because our boss is the type to go wild when he doesn't see a dot on an i in a report.

Me: He must be terrorizing.

Maya: Not really. Let's say he's the calm and strict type. He likes it when everything is perfect and that's what we venture to do. Its lightning strike can strike our heads at any time, but it’s all that keeps us successful and makes our company number one in the real estate business.

Me: You talk about him with so much admiration that you think you are in love with him.

Maya (opening her eyes wide): From whom? Terry YOUL? May the Lord keep me. This guy is freaking out too much. I wonder how his fiancée is doing to cope.

Me: Each person at their terminus, they say.

Maya: Yeah. By the way, he's the role model I want to be if I ever have my own box.

Me (tit for tat) So you got someone?

Maya: No. Let's say I'm unlucky there. I always run into guys who end up preferring another. So I gave up while waiting for the one that's right for me.

This is very good news. At least I can take a chance. We end the evening by remembering our years in high school. I take her home and it is with a smile that I return home. I have to start thinking about a strategy of seduction.

***Cynthia ***

I stifle my cry on Ryan's neck to prevent another neighbor from complaining about the moaning mess. My whole body trembles so violently the enjoyment. We take our breaths and finally take our shower to get out and get dressed. We've been sleeping together for a month and I've come to like his company. Outside of sex he is a very good friend. He makes me laugh and he knows how to make me feel comfortable. I'm so good with him that I completely skipped my other pointers. As we get dressed, his cell phone, which is lying right in front of my eyes on the bed, displays a message he just received. A small hint of jealousy crosses me when I read “When will we see you baby? ”. I pretend I haven't seen a thing and I'm going to go somewhere else to finish getting ready. He takes his cell phone and when he reads the message he gives me a look that I pretend not to see.

Ryan: I’m harassed by a co-worker at work.

Me (doing makeup): What are you talking about?

Ryan: Don't pretend you haven't seen the message.

Me: Yet I didn't say anything. Which means I'm not interested in it. You have your life, I have mine. I just don't want you to give me one of those dirty diseases. Okay, I'm done, I'll be waiting for you in the living room.

I finish my makeup and walk past him to exit but he grabs me by the waist and pulls me back against him.

Ryan: You're the only one I hang out with. You and I are certainly not together but I am faithful to you. You're the only one that really affects me.

Me: You don't have an account for me ...

The rest of my sentence ends between his lips. The kiss he gives me is sweet and different from the others that are already announcing the end of the film. This one doesn't announce anything sexual at all. It has been a long time since someone kissed me so tenderly. I find myself putting my arms around his neck to deepen the kiss. He pushes me even closer to him, squeezing my waist. A weird, non-sexual sensation begins to come over me and I love that feeling. No, I don't have to love him. I abruptly end the kiss and pull away from him.

Me (confused) I have to go it's getting late and I'm the one who has to make dinner.

Ryan: I want us to try Cynthia.

I pretend to arrange my purse so he doesn't see how confused I am.

Me: Try what?

Ryan: You and me.

Me (even more confused): I don't know what you're talking about.

Ryan: I want us to have a relationship other than sex.

Me: I'm sorry but that's not part of our agreement. We hit it off on sex, just sex.

Ryan: I know but ...

Me (fleeing): Ok good I will have to take a taxi.

I want to go out but he grabs my arm.

Ryan: Okay, let's go.

I release myself from his grip because his touch creates something new in me. We get into his car and the journey is done in silence. Only the player plays music in the background. I dare not look at him for fear of finding something attractive about him. Well, yes, I already find him attractive but I don't want to find him even more attractive. Why did I have to read this post because it awakened all my senses or at least it brought to the surface what I was trying to cover up. I don't want to fall in love, at least not now. I am not yet healed from my last disappointment which at the same time separated me from my mother, the only family I have. When we arrive, Ryan comes over to me to open the door for me. He walks me to the door and asks to turn around. We stop face to face in front of the door.

Me: Aren't you coming home to say hello to the girls?

Ryan: Next time or else they're gonna make me stay for dinner.