𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐭 || ᴊᴇɴʟɪsᴀ

𝐬 𝐞 𝐯 𝐞 𝐧

Friday after work, I was on a mission. A Say Yes to Lisa mission. I was tired of trying to keep myself from thinking about her, from wondering about all the what-ifs. Most of all, I kept thinking about what my therapist said about being spiteful to myself by using the waiver as an excuse. The decision had been cemented that morning as I lay in bed, after a self-induced orgasm with my arousal still coating my fingers. I needed to get laid. Regularly. Preferably by Lisa.

Before I made the call, I ran to try and work off some nervous energy and masturbated in the shower to work off some sexual energy. The tee I put on after showering was one of my favorites, like a friend who never tired of seeing me. Chahee hated this shirt. Maybe it was the holes. Maybe she hated the Dandy Warhols. Maybe she just hated me. I never found out and realized with relief that I was long past caring.

But I needed some advice before I called Lisa. Mark was out of the question so, slumped onto the couch with a cup of tea, I called my best friend from college. We’d roomed together at Cornell and stayed in touch as much as we could with ridiculously busy lives.

When Rosé answered, she sounded out of breath. “Kim! To what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Did I interrupt something…or someone?” I teased.

“Ha! I wish. Jisoo still at work. I’m out for a run.”

“Damn your west coast weather.”

She huffed. “You know I hate California.”

True. Rosé was from Alaska and one of the few people I knew who lived for bleak, snowy weather and genuinely hated summer. We spent a couple of minutes catching up, Rosé grumbling about how much of a shit her boss was, before I launched into the main reason for my call. “Need your advice with something.”

“Well it can’t be business advice, I saw K and T’s increase in last quarter’s earnings. Also saw your name up on the NYC women’s list again.”

“Yeah, business is great.” I sipped my tea. “It’s about a woman.”

“Oh? Do tell.” Her breathing had steadied and I could imagine her strolling back to her Bay Area Queen Anne.

In a couple of long breaths, I recounted the whole story for her—from the circumstances of meeting Lisa, the mindboggling sex, all the way through to Mark’s reactions and now my confusion. Rosé whistled through her teeth. “Well, Kim. You never did do anything halfway.”

I groaned. “I know.”

“This could just be because I’ve got a wedding looming and I’m feeling like I want to be frivolous while I can, but I say fucking go for it. Call her. Dates, sex, whatever. There’s nothing wrong with some casual entertainment.”

“Yeah…I guess you’re right.” I set my mug down. “Speaking of weddings, how’re the plans going?”

“Surprisingly well. Jisoo is very calm about it all. I keep telling her to just give me my suit, show me where to stand and what to say, and I’ll be there with bells on.”

“You delicious butch, you.”

“Hey! I’m giving my opinions when asked, but seriously who cares if we have white or cream tablecloths?” Rosé laughed. “You are coming right? Invites go out next month. March eleventh.”

My throat tightened. “Wouldn’t miss it for anything, babe.”

“Good. Remember, it’ll be plus one so if you want to bring this pilot…”

“Didn’t you hear anything I just said, Rosé? Casual.”

“I did. But keep it in mind.” I could picture her teasing grin.