Page 48 of Semantics

“Then, let’s go somewhere else and talk about it. My place? No one else is there. I can–”

“My place is closer,” Violet stated.

“Yeah?” she asked, surprised. “What about your roommates?”

“They all know I’m here. I told them, remember?”

“And you’re okay with me going home with you with them there?”

“They’re all out right now,” Violet replied. “They went for pizza and drinks at this place we go to sometimes after we work a really long day. I think they did that just in case for me, but I don’t know.”

“For you?”

“Whenever one of us might bring someone home, the others try to make themselves scarce if they can.” Violet took the final drink of her water. “I live about seven minutes away from here. Your place is at least twenty. They won’t be home until after you’re gone.”

“Oh,” Stella said.

“I mean, you can stay the night. I don’t mean that I’ll kick you out or anything. We’d be in my room before they get home. That’s what I meant.”

“Oh, so after I fuck you on every surface all night long, you might let me crash with you?” she teased.

“You’re coming over?” Violet asked.

Stella took another drink of her beer, pushed the bottle away, and said, “Let’s get out of here.”

“One thing first,” Violet replied.

“No, I’m ready. Let’s go.” Stella chuckled.

“Stella, I’m normally a relationship kind of woman.”

“Me too. So?”

“I gathered based on what you told me.”

“So, I don’t want that with you,” Violet told her.

Stella leaned back in the booth.

“That came out wrong. I didn’t mean that. What I mean is that I only want sex.”

“Oh, and that’s better?”

“Stella, we don’t like each other.”

“Says who?”

“Did you forget how–”

“If you’re going to bring up school again, neither of us is fighting over grades or some plaque.” She leaned forward. “Wait. You still have it, right? Is it hanging on your bedroom wall? Can I knock it off while I take you against it?”

“You heard what I said?” Violet asked. “Just sex.”

“I heard you. If that’s all you want, I’m good with that.”

“You’re sure?”

“Violet, I’m not in love with you, nor do I think you and I are exactly meant to be here. I had a fantasy from about ten years ago that I got to fulfill last night, and it was better than I imagined, so if you’re offering we do that again, I am not about to argue with you about whatever the rules might be.”