Faking It with the Frenemy

“I know! Josephine is fantastic,” Vi says, flushed and a little breathless. “This is exactly the kind of thing I wanted.”

“Thanks again for introducing us,” I say, popping the trunk of my Audi and placing Vi’s suitcases inside. Regardless of our unresolved bad feelings, I can admit that Kim’s been incredibly nice and helpful to Vi.

For a moment Kim looks uncomfortable, then she clears her throat. “Don’t mention it.”

She starts to take a seat in the back, but Vi shakes her head. “You should take shotgun,” she says.

“Oh, that won’t be necessary.” Kim’s tone is extra sweet, but I know she’s turning it down to avoid sitting next to me.

And that annoys me for some weird reason. Makes me want to tell her herpes isn’t an airborne disease. I might, if Vi wasn’t around.

“It’s kind of cramped in the back,” Vi says. “You’ll be more comfortable in the passenger seat. I’m okay ’cause I’m shorter.”

Still, Kim hesitates.

Enough of this. “We need to get going if we want to be in Corn Meadows in time for the wedding.”

Vi gets an anxious look. “I don’t want to be late.”

That does the trick. Kim shrugs, says, “Okay,” and takes the passenger seat.

Once everyone’s settled, I start driving. Vi chatters about all sorts of things, her voice bubbly. I can’t remember when she’s talked so much, or in such an excited tone. When I try to get her to say something, it’s like trying to pull a rabbit away from a hungry jaguar.

But she isn’t talking to me. She’s talking to Kim. And never once does Kim act like she’s annoyed or bothered. Her patience with my kid loosens something in my chest. I realize I’ve been worried that Kim would act uninterested in Vi…like Geneva. Kim isn’t passively making noises, either, pretending to listen. She’s actually participating, asking Vi questions, offering up opinions and thoughts. And every time Kim says something, Vi lights up like it’s Christmas. Gratitude mixes with relief and happiness. I owe Kim big—not just because she’s going to the wedding, but because she put that joyful look on Vi’s face.

Yeah, and doesn’t that make Kim a hundred times hotter, too?

I frown. Of course… I mean, I appreciate her. She’s being nice. Her smile is bright and sweet, the light in her eyes brilliant and irresistible. Anybody would find a woman like that attractive.

But not every woman as nice as Kim has a chest like that. Or a mouth like that. Or tastes like she does…

Shut up, shut up. I’m not going to think about the kiss with my kid in the car. And I’m certainly not going to get turned on when Vi’s sitting right behind us.

“I’m super excited about spending the summer with my grandparents. They’re awesome,” Vi says. “They have the sickest farm. I love their goats and dogs.”

“They have a lot of goats now?” Kim asks, although she can’t possibly care about my parents’ animals.

“Yeah. Like, ten. Didn’t they before?”

“I think they had maybe two when I was in Corn Meadows.” Suddenly Kim yawns, then blinks a few times, something I noticed some women do when they want to rub their eyes, but don’t want to ruin their makeup.

“What’s wrong?” Vi asks.

The anxiety in my kid’s voice makes me hold my breath. She’s worried that she’s finally boring Kim. Everything inside me chills as I wait and pray Kim doesn’t do or say anything that will hurt Vi. She’s too sensitive.

“Sorry,” Kim says with a small smile. “I didn’t sleep very well last night. Seems that someone was banging on the walls.”

Damn it. Now I feel like a dick. “I stopped,” I say, even knowing it’s a pretty feeble attempt. My effort better make the roommate want to move out. I don’t want it to be in vain.

“Yeah, but then I couldn’t sleep afterward because I kept wondering if it was going to start again.” Kim’s voice is extra saccharine.

“I’m sorry,” Vi says before I can respond. “Dad was getting ready to hang some pictures that we don’t have yet.”

Oh, fuck me. I rub a hand over my face and avoid looking at Kim.

“Really?” Just from the tone of Kim’s voice I know her eyebrows are raised high in her forehead. “Why would he do that?”

“Because being prepared is important to success.”