Her eyes widen, and she slowly eases into her chair. “Okay, I mean, that’s a lot of sugar, but not the worst thing, you know, if all the cakes know they’re being…eaten.”
“Right. Completely consensual, aware cake eating.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“Earlier today, I ate some frosting with Smith.”
She takes a large gulp of beer. “Frosting.”
“Yes. It was impulsive, but not a huge deal. I mean, it is a big deal because the last time Smith and I shared frosting, I screwed up everything. It looks like that may be the case again.”
She frowns, trying to follow my strange analogies.
“So, he didn’t like the frosting?”
“Oh, he liked it, he just didn’t like the fact I’d eaten a cupcake and had some cake.” I look down at the table. “And when I went to tell him about how gluttonous I’d been, he made it pretty clear he did not believe in mixing up desserts like that and wanted no part of it.”
Katie thinks for a moment. “So what you’re telling me, is that you wanted all the cake.”
“Yep.”
“Three slices?”
“Yep.”
“All at once?”
God, I’m not sure I could handle that.
“No, not all at once, but like,” I search for the words, “maybe one piece a day, or two.”
“And all the pieces would be aware of one another.”
I take a sip of beer. “Yep.”
“And the cake and the cupcake are into this, but the frosting, he’s not.”
“Nope.
The frosting made it very clear that although I got a taste of him, he is not willing to let me try the full piece.”
Katie stares at me for a minute. “This analogy is bananas, you know that, right?”
“I know that I’ve got a problem. A cake problem, and I don’t know how to fix it.”
Her eyes flick over my shoulder. “Well, it looks like the baker just showed up. You may want to talk to him about it.”
I frown. “The baker?”
A figure hovers over the table. I look up and see Smith. My cheeks turn red from embarrassment.
“Hey, Katie,” he says, eyes focused on me. “Can Sierra and I have a minute?”
“Yep.” She grabs her glass and stands. “Take all the time you need. I’ll be right over…” she looks around and spots a seat at the bar, “there.”
He takes Katie’s empty chair.
“I’m sorry about earlier. I just hope this doesn’t ruin the little bit of progress we’ve made in our relationship. Or totally fuck up your friendship.” I can’t stop talking. “It was dumb to think this could work, you know? You said you’re greedy, but really, I’m the greedy one. I’m not even satisfied with one amazing guy. I need three. What the fuck is wrong with me?”