Love Thy Neighbour (Friend-Zoned 2)

***

Nat tries to get us to drive to the store in her car.

Not happening.

No offence to women, but when I’m in a car with any woman, it could even be her car, I’m driving.

Might have something to do with the fact that my car is my baby. I worked my ass off and saved any spare cash I had to put towards doing her up. My 68 Chevy Impala. Black exterior with matching black custom interior. Leather sent over from Italy. Some would say I’m stupid to have spent so much on it, but fuck. She makes me happy.

After arguing for ten minutes, I stroll over to my car, start it and drive over to her. I have to hide my smile.

She looks so damn cute.

She wears a scowl. Her body is stiff. She has her arms crossed over her chest and she’s wearing a huge pout.

I beep the horn and she jumps in fright. I can’t help but chuckle. Finally, she rolls her eyes, gives in and we’re off.

She doesn’t talk to me til we get to the grocery store, and even then she only asks, “Want to share a cart?” I nod.

She takes us straight to the fruit and vegetable section and puts random items in the cart: strawberries, half a cantaloupe, carrots, tomatoes, celery, apples and avocado. She looks over to me. “What produce do you need?”

I’m confused.

I need produce?

I’m pretty sure I’ve been living just fine without them. I take the cart and steer it into the meat section. I hear Nat mutter, “Okay, no fruit and veg. Check. ”

Looking around the meat section, I see Nat pick up two types of ground beef. She looks back and forth between them for a whole minute. I take them both out of her hands, put one in the cart and put the other back on the shelf. She scowls at me but I’m ready for her. “What? It’s just beef!”

“It’s not just beef! One has five percent less fat! And lucky for you, that’s the one you put in the cart. ”

I roll my eyes and mumble, “Whatever, lady. ” I stock the cart with four different types of meat.

Okay, so I’m a typical bachelor.

I like meat. Nothing beats a good steak. I could eat steak every damn day. I think that’s what’s on tonight’s menu and I’m already looking forward to it.

We go aisle by aisle and the cart is filling up. I add the essentials; potato chips, chocolate, ketchup, peanut butter, jelly, chocolate sauce and full fat milk. Nat adds things I’ve never even heard of; quinoa, whole wheat crackers, hummus, udon noodles, two percent milk and vegeta. I’m just about to ask if she’s a health nut when she puts chocolate spread, three different types of ice cream and bacon into the cart.

That’s better.

God, I hate when women starve themselves. I like my women curvy. Ever since Nat, I’ve been avoiding curvy women and settling for slender instead. There’s no comparison so why even try.

We head down the pharmacy aisle and I stop right in front of the condoms. I look at Nat to find her looking right back at me.

It’s a stare off.

We stare at each other for almost a minute before I grab two boxes off the shelf. I put them in the cart. “One for you and one for me. You’ll probably need it with your new guy around. ”

I’ve been trying to work him into a conversation somehow.

“Oh, I hadn’t even thought about that. ” she replies quietly.

It sounds genuine. So I prod. “What? You mean to tell me you don’t sleep with who you please?”

She turns slightly and avoids my eyes when she responds, “Of course I do. ”

False.