"What?"he groggily replied rubbing his eyes."What time is it?" he turned his wrist to answer his own question."It's six in the morning right?"
"It's six in the morning. Something wrong?"
"Yes. Susan's expecting me to pick her up in a half and hour and since I'm not there a half an hour early she'll be here."
Tamara giggled.
He shot her a look.
"You're serious."
"Susan still thinks I sleep with most of my female friends."
"They couldn't pay me enough to sleep with you Dorough,"Tamara remarked. Although the thought had crossed her mind more than once. She couldn't blame Susan for being jealous when it came to him.
"Is that so?"
"Yes!"she grabbed a couch pillow and hit him with it .
"You're gonna get it now,"he returned with a pillow.
Somewhere in the midst of pillows flying, balance was lost and Howie came toppling down over her. Their eyes met. Their bodies separated only by cloth. The heat of their breath against one anothers dangerously approaching that unestablished precedent set between friends when the phone rang. He knew this was so wrong but his feelings for her as of late had been teetering on the verge of something more then what they had.
Tamara retrieved her items as Howie continued his conversation with Susan. She waved and he covered the mouthpiece."Hold on. I'll be done in just a sec."
"It's okay,"she gave him her best smile."I know where the door is. I'll see ya later."She hated being there everytime Susan called and it was getting harder to be around him. It wasn't just a matter of emotions anymore. She knew she was in love with him but being close to him anymore physically hurt.
There were times she would watch them and want his arms wrapped snugly around her or his lips softly brushing hers. She knew she shouldn't be jealous. They were just friends after all and she had to keep hiding all these feelings because she was afraid if she told him, she'd lose that as well and she didn't want to lose one of the best friends she'd had come along in a long time.
"Who was that?"Susan demanded overhearing the conversation.
"That's Tam."
"What's she doing there this early in the morning?"
"None of your damn business."
"I think it is when it's six in the morning."
"Susan, there are a hell of a lot of people up at six in the morning if you'd ever bother to get up that early other than when I ask you to breakfast."
"She's been there everytime I've called you lately Howard."
" Susan, she's my friend and if you don't like it that's too damn bad."
"She certainly can't do for you what I do."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that."
"You didn't!"
"Yes I did! And it's about damn time too. You've been needing to hear that there are other women out there. Tamara is my friend. I don't think of her that way but other men do." Big lie."The world does not revolve around you."
"Is that what you think of me?"
"Lately yes. You haven't been off her case since I met her,"he smiled toward her still standing with her things in the middle of the living room.
"With good reason too. She's in love with you Howie. Doesn't take a genius to see it. If you weren't so damn close to the situation, you'd see it too."
"I'm a woman. I know these things."
"Then you should know I'm not picking you up this morning."
"You're not serious?"
"I'm dead serious. And you should also know that I'm not picking you up ever again."
"You're breaking up with me? A real man would do it face to face."
"Okay,"he walked toward the front door and opened it."We're through,"as he clicked the cordless off.
"How dare you."
Tamara knew she needed to get out and the only way was around them. As Tamara approached Susan pointed her finger."You! You happy now? You got him."
"Don't be blaming her for your problems,"Howie interjected.
"You know Susan. You should really do something about that condition of yours,"Tamara remarked.
"What condition is that?"
"Corn cob up the butt-itis. Really an unattractive condition for a pretty girl like yourself,"Tamara patronizingly patted her on the shoulder and walked out.
Howie was trying to contain himself as Susan had her gaze toward the door. When she turned back she glared at him."You think it's funny?"
"Yes I do because I've been too blind to see it myself. You really do need help. Now leave."
"This isn't over."
"Yes it is. Good bye,"he closed the door behind her.
As he regained his composure, the thought occured to him. Had he been blind? Did Tamara really see him as more than just a friend? And her lips were just mere inches from mine What if what I felt was more than just friendly? Couldn't be. It was just a momentary lapse. What if what Susan said about Tamara was true.
