Friends Without Benefits

by Dena Blake

  The amount of food she’d ordered had just settled into Dex’s head. “Sure,” she said. What the hell? She’d ordered enough food to feed them plus the tables on each side of them. Why not top it off with seafood?

  “And for you, miss?” the waiter asked.

  She closed her menu and said, “I’ll have the I Don’t Give a F*@k.” That was a completely appropriate menu item for the way Dex felt right now.

  They didn’t mention landscaping or art again, and the discussion eventually drifted to idle chitchat about the weather, the Cubs, the impending holidays. Those subjects seemed to keep the dialogue going smoothly. Dex hadn’t wanted to go further with the housing situation or she might end up with an unwanted houseguest.

  By the time Dex had finished the last of her meal, Elena had barely touched half of hers. Not a surprise. Who could actually eat that much food? The waiter had boxed up the remainder to go and packed it neatly in a bag. Dex was quite sure this would be Elena’s dinner for the rest of the week.

  When the waiter returned to ask about dessert, Dex quickly waved him off. She refused to throw another dime into Elena’s take-home feast. She’d been there before, unemployed and too broke to even afford a loaf of bread, let alone groceries. Dex hadn’t held it against her until the bill came and Elena had disappeared into the bathroom for a full fifteen minutes—a clear sign she wasn’t kicking in on the check. Dex was sure that if Elena hadn’t had to leave the food at the table to go to the restroom, she probably wouldn’t have even come back to the table. Dex had planned to pay but didn’t like to be pushed into it. It made up for the free dinner she’d received from Suzanne on her last date.

  Neither one of them indicated they would do this again. Clearly Elena had done this before and had merely suffered through the night with Dex for the free meal. Dex was going to kill Grace for this one.

  * * *

  Grace couldn’t wait to hear about Dex’s date last night. She’d told her on the phone that it hadn’t been all bad, that Elena had shown some interest in Dex’s landscaping business and light-stringing work as well. But when Dex had reversed the conversation posing the same questions to Elena, she’d talked only briefly about her art and the galleries in Wicker Park and nothing specifically about pieces she was showing anywhere else, which was strange for an artist. She mentioned that Elena had described a couple of her pieces, but when Dex had asked her where she could view them personally, she’d given vague answers. A huge red flag had gone up for Grace when she’d heard that. What artist didn’t like to talk about her art? Dex had said that Elena seemed to skirt around each one of her questions and would then point the conversation back to Dex.

  When Grace pushed through the front door, she spotted Dex waving at her from the back. She could feel the cool air whoosh through the small, hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant as the door closed behind her. They’d decided to meet there because it was a gem frequented by mostly locals.

  She shrugged off her jacket as she strode through the small aisle and tossed it into the booth before she slid in. “Okay. Give me the full story.” She sure hoped there was more than Dex had already told her. At least better than the last date. Even though she didn’t see a perfect fit for Dex in Elena, she’d thought they’d at least have something in common.

  “The night started well. We had some good conversation.”

  Oh no. This didn’t sound good. “I see a but coming.”

  Dex smiled and held up a finger. “As I said on the phone, Elena peppered me with questions about my job most of the night.”

  Okay. That was a good sign. “She was interested in what you do. That was nice, right?”

  “It was.” Dex nodded. “She genuinely seemed interested as I told her about the different kinds of plants, trees, and shrubs that work well in the area. And she seemed to have some horticultural knowledge as well. I think she said she’d taken a class in college. But when I went into irrigation, her eyes glazed over.”

  “You didn’t. Dex, I told you just minimal information about your job. Women don’t want to hear about digging in the dirt.”

  “She asked.” Dex raised her eyebrows. “When I mentioned that I also do Christmas-light decorating in the off season, she perked right up. Said that she loves Christmas lights and that’s one of the places she gets her inspiration.” She threw her arms in the air. “The vivid colors bring vision to her art.” Dex’s tone lilted up and turned playfully sarcastic.

  “She really said that?”

  “Yep.” Dex flattened her lips into a cocky grin.

  “Christmas lights? That’s what inspires her?” Grace stared blankly at her, trying to visualize the whole scene. She hadn’t seen that coming. Her conversation with Elena had been perfectly normal, and she seemed very knowledgeable about art.

  “Remember when we used to lie under the Christmas tree for hours staring up through the branches?” Dex asked. “They were mesmerizing.”

  “Yeah, but I never once thought about them as art.”

  Dex blurted out a laugh. “She showed me some of her art.” Dex picked up her phone and pointed at it. “On the big screen, no less. From what I saw, the wildly abstract paintings seemed to already have plenty of vibrancy. I doubt she has anything hanging in Wicker Park, and I think I may have paid her food bill for the rest of the week.”

  What the…I gave her money for dinner. “Oh my God, Dex. I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s okay. I got off free on the last date.”

  “But Maple and Ash is pricey. This one probably cost you enough for both.”

  “It did. But that’s fine. She can be my pay-it-forward for the week. My parents would be proud.”

  Grace chuckled. “They would be, indeed.”

  Date number three had been up for discussion, but Grace had convinced Dex that she’d have a great time with Ruby. It would be an adventure for Dex if she’d just let it play out. Ruby and Grace had met at the gym years ago. She was the best personal trainer they had and the only woman she felt comfortable with coaching Brent during their budding romance period. Ruby strictly dated women and was also fun and spontaneous. She wasn’t opposed to becoming intimate on the first date and leaving it at just that, fun.

  Chapter Eight

  Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse was one of Dex’s favorite restaurants in Chicago. It had a comfortable atmosphere and burgers to rave about. As she got out of her car she glanced down at her black skinny jeans and riding boots, wondering if she’d dressed too casually for the night. Her leather jacket covered the scoop-neck goldenrod T-shirt she wore. She’d chosen the color because Grace had told her more than once that it brought out the sunbursts in her eyes.

  Ruby had said in her text that she was familiar with Gibsons, so Dex had hoped she’d worn jeans as well. She wasn’t disappointed when she spotted Ruby sitting at the bar dressed in the leather jacket they’d both agreed to wear as an identifier, a powder-blue V-neck underneath, and skinny maroon pants that led to black stiletto-heeled boots. Her auburn hair swayed across the middle of her jacket as she turned to survey the bar.

  As soon as Ruby spotted Dex over her glass, she set it on the bar and charged her way. Dex was taken off guard by the strength of the hug she was swept into.

  “It’s so great to meet you. Grace has told me so much about you,” Ruby said with a huge smile.

  That was a first. Neither one of the other dates had mentioned anything about Grace. “It’s nice to meet you too.” Grace had given her minimal information on Ruby other than she was fun.

  “The table should be ready shortly.” Ruby took Dex’s hand, led her to the place at the bar where she’d been sitting, and pulled out a barstool. “I saved you a spot. Do you want a drink?”

  The woman was like a whirlwind as she waved the bartender over and then slid onto the stool next to Dex.

  “What can I get you?” the bartender asked.

  She noted the copper mug in front of Ruby. “I’ll have a Moscow Mule.”

  Ruby smiled
. “Good choice. They’re excellent here.”

  They’d finished their drinks and ordered a second round before they were seated. Dex had learned a lot in their short time at the bar. Ruby and Grace had been friends for a little over a year. They’d met at the gym where she and Grace both worked. Ruby had fully admitted that she’d hit on Grace a number of times. They both agreed Grace was sizzling hot and it was a shame that she was straight. It was funny how a little alcohol made that reality hurt less, or maybe Dex was just finally getting over her.

  They both ordered burgers and, at Ruby’s suggestion, a side of French fries and mushrooms to share. As the conversation progressed, Dex found Ruby to be completely laid-back and engaging. This date might actually be promising.

  “How’s your dinner?” Ruby asked.

  “It’s good. The mushrooms are really awesome.”

  Ruby reached across the table with her fork and speared a mushroom from Dex’s plate. The way Ruby was staring at her, she suddenly felt like she was on the menu. “Grace was right. You are delicious.”

  Dex’s cheeks warmed, and she veered her eyes to her plate.

  “Dessert?”

  Dex nodded. “Sure.” She was full but not quite ready for this night to end yet. “Do you want to share something?”

  That got an adorable grin from Ruby. “I like that idea.”

  They looked over the menu, and Dex thought the chocolate-mousse cake sounded good until Ruby suggested the Meaning of Life cake that Gibsons served only on Saturday nights. It was a five-layer chocolate cake made up of cake, chocolate mousse, sliced ripe bananas, and raspberry preserves that sounded absolutely divine. Somehow, during all her visits to Gibsons, this treat had remained a secret to Dex. She was all in.

  A different waitress appeared at their table. “Would you like the usual for dessert?”

  The usual? Something pinged in the back of Dex’s head. Apparently, Ruby dined here often.

  “Yes.” Ruby glanced up at the waitress and then across the table to Dex. “My date has never had it before.”

  “Ooh, then you’re in for a treat tonight.”

  Dessert was delivered by the same waitress, a tall, blond bundle of hotness that seemed to have a clear connection with Ruby.

  She smiled as she set two fresh forks on the table, slid the dessert between them, and winked. “I’ll see you later.”

  Ruby nodded, and Dex was confused. Apparently, Ruby saw Dex’s expression because she immediately said, “My girlfriend, Sarah.”

  A cold shiver rushed over Dex as she processed the information. “Oh, wow. Grace didn’t mention you had a girlfriend.” She glanced at Sarah, who was now walking toward the back of the restaurant. Dex hadn’t expected that.

  “No worries. We have an open relationship.”

  Seriously? There went her evening.

  Ruby handed Dex a fork, then picked up another and dove right into the colossal slice of cake. She seemed perfectly happy to share, in more ways than one. But Dex wasn’t. She took a few bites before relaxing into her chair. She’d thought maybe she’d get something more from tonight, at least another date. But that was off the table now. She had absolutely no luck with women.

  The whole night became awkward from that point forward, and Dex couldn’t get out of there quick enough. Dex could tell Ruby was disappointed when she’d told her she’d had a really good time, but opted not to go back to Ruby’s place afterward. Ruby apologized and explained that she wasn’t aware that Grace hadn’t shared her current relationship status with Dex. Of course Grace hadn’t mentioned the girlfriend. Dex would never have gone on the date if she had.

  It was perfectly clear that she should never have agreed to go out on another one of Grace’s blind dates. But Grace had begged her, said she’d have a lot of fun with Ruby. Little did Dex know she meant group fun. This would be the last date she would let Grace set up for her.

  As soon as Dex got to her car, she took out her phone and hit Grace’s number. No answer. She hung up and called again.

  “Hey, Dex. Hang on a minute,” Grace whispered.

  Dex heard her say something, and then there was silence for a few minutes.

  “What’s up? We’re at the movies.”

  “I can’t believe you set me up with a woman who’s in a relationship.”

  “I didn’t know that.” She seemed surprised. “I thought they were just dating.”

  “That’s a big no.”

  “I’m sorry, Dex. I guess I’ve gotten them all wrong,” Grace said. “Why don’t we get together tomorrow, and you can tell me what you want in a woman, and we’ll try again.”

  “No. No more blind dates. I’ll find my own women from now on, thank you.” She hit the End button and tossed her phone into the console. “Holy fuck.” She let out a chuckle. This one would go down in the books.

  * * *

  It was a frigid morning in Chicago. Dex and her crew had been hanging Christmas lights since sunup, and they all needed a break. She’d given them each twenty bucks, told them to go get something warm to eat and to be back by one sharp. Working in this weather was ridiculous.

  As she rounded the corner of Crushed Beans, Dex saw Juni sitting at the corner table near the end of the counter talking to Josh. She plucked off her gloves as she dodged the people in line to warm up their days with coffee and threw Juni a wave. She’d taken her jacket off before she arrived at the table, and she laid it across the seat of the plastic chair for extra insulation before sliding down onto it.

  Juni pushed a large chocolate mocha in front of her with a leaf design in the foam. “I knew you’d be cold, so I ordered for you.”

  She observed the cup in front of Juni, which featured an intricately designed Christmas tree drawn in the foam. Josh had probably made it for her personally. “What’d you get?”

  “Vanilla latte.”

  “Should’ve tried a mocha.” She lifted the oversized cup to her lips and took a sip. “Um. Thank you for this. I was fucking freezing.”

  “Josh will have our lunches out soon. Sleeping with the owner has its perks.”

  Dex choked on her drink. “Wow. Already?”

  Juni giggled and turned beet red.

  “This must be serious. Do I need to give him the talk, or do we need to get Ranny involved?” She turned around and spotted him at the espresso machine. “Maybe I should do it now.”

  “Stop.” Juni took in a deep breath and gazed at Josh behind the counter. He turned, smiled, and winked. “He gets me, Dex. It’s like we’re living in the same head.”

  “That must be crowded.” She laughed, but, in truth, Dex wished she had someone to smile at her that way, to beam the radiance that Juni glowed with when he walked into the room. If the past few dates had been any indication, that would never happen for Dex, and it made her feel hollow inside.

  “I heard from Mom today.”

  “Checking on Ranny?” Their brother had turned out just like their parents, flitting from country to country helping people in need.

  “No, you. She found out about the wedding.”

  “Damn it, Juni. I asked you not to tell her.”

  “I didn’t. She saw it on some society page online somewhere.” She winked. “Besides, you know I never listen.”

  “What’d you tell her?”

  “I told her you’re fine and dating.”

  “Which I am.” She took in a deep breath. “Even if they were total disasters.”

  “Only because Grace set you up.” Juni tapped the table. “Now let me see the list.”

  “What list?” Dex hesitated.

  “Don’t tell me you forgot it.”

  She hadn’t forgotten the pros and cons list they’d started last week, but she’d been hoping Juni had. “No. I didn’t forget. I have it.” She pulled it out of her pocket and slid it across the table.

  Juni rolled her eyes as she unfolded the piece of paper. “Sweet, helpful, and compassionate? You’ve got to be out of your mind if you see these th
ings in Grace.”

  “She just doesn’t show them to everyone.”

  “That’s a fucking understatement. She doesn’t show them to anyone. I’ve never considered any of these qualities to be in the same zip code as Grace.”

  “I see them,” Dex said calmly.

  Juni pressed her lips together and blew a breath out through her nose. “Even if you have noticed these qualities in her, she’s married now, and they’re probably going to disappear soon.” She pushed the list back to Dex. “You need to back out of that cozy picture and find someone else to put your energy into.”

  Dex raised her eyebrows. “Like one of the crazy women I just went out with?”

  “Oh, I forgot. How was your date last night?” The excitement in Juni’s voice was ridiculous.

  “I never want to go to another restaurant, bar, or coffee shop to meet a woman.”

  Juni tilted her head. “You’re here meeting me now.”

  “You know what I mean. I feel like I’ve been on a blind-dating roller coaster and haven’t even had time to strap in.” She took a sip of her mocha. “Isn’t meeting women supposed to be at least a little bit fun?”

  “Maybe if you’d stop letting Grace set you up on them, they’d be more enjoyable.” Juni reached across, picked up Dex’s cup, and took a sip. “Ooh, this is good.”

  “Told you.”

  “So what was wrong with this girl?”

  “Besides the fact that she has a girlfriend?”

  “Oh my God.” Juni covered her mouth to smother a laugh. “Seriously?”

  Dex nodded, then leaned in and whispered, “Apparently she’s in an open relationship.” She leaned back long enough to let the waiter slide the food in front of her. “Her girlfriend actually showed up for dessert. She works at Gibsons and delivered it personally.”

  “Nooooo way.” Juni’s voice rumbled.

  “Yes way.” Dex picked up half of her sandwich and took a bite.