Leftovers

Morning came. Zed started to wake up, and hadn’t remembered yet how full his bed had gotten.

Then he felt the weight shift. Carla was slipping out of bed.

She was trying to be quiet. Alice wasn’t having it. She propped herself up. Hair a mess. Eyes sharp.

-Leaving so soon?

Carla clutched her clothes to her chest.

-I have to open the cafe. Sundays get busy.

-I didn't know you'd want me here when you got up, she added shyly.

Betty stirred. She sat up, rubbing sleep from her eyes. She smiled.

-We don't mind. But go conquer the Sunday rush.

Carla looked at Betty.

-I hope we can do it again.

-We'd love to.

Zed sat up. He rubbed his face.

-You've got time for a shower.

He got up. He opened the bathroom door for her.

Alice rolled her eyes. She flopped back against the pillows.

-How noble. Playing the hero for the damsel who needs to scrub off last night's regrets.

Carla stopped at the door. She blushed.

-I don't regret anything. Not with you.

She slipped inside. The water turned on.

Alice scoffed.

-Spare me the soap opera dialogue. I think I just got a cavity.

Zed walked over to the bed. He looked down at Alice.

-I don't think you've showered since you came with the rain.

He leaned in and sniffed her.

Alice recoiled.

-Get the hell away from me. I smell like sex and rain. Which is a damn sight more interesting than your cheap cologne.

-I don't wear cologne. It's au natural.

Alice leaned into his space.

-You mean stale. Like a wet dog. Don't flatter yourself.

Zed laughed. He grabbed a few things.

-I'll leave you girls to it. Use whatever soap you want.

He went downstairs. He started the coffee. He scavenged the fridge.

Carla came down ten minutes later. Dressed. Fresh.

-It's nothing like what you serve, Zed said.

He handed her a paper cup.

-But it's hot.

-That’s lovely, she said, taking the cup. She walked to the door

-I'm glad I took you up on dinner, she said, looking back.

-I hope you come back. You've got my number.

Zed kissed her cheek.

-I'll text you later.

She left. Zed locked the door.

He turned around. Betty was coming down the stairs. Wrapped in a white towel.

-Is she gone?

Alice followed. She was wearing one of Zed’s shirts. It hung loose on her frame. She dried her hair aggressively.

-Yes, Alice said to Betty begrudgingly. It’s over.

-You ladies doing ok?

Alice looked over the banister.

-We're surviving. I hope you didn't drink all the coffee.

-Plenty for everyone.

Betty glided into the kitchen. She slid onto a stool.

-Coffee sounds like heaven. And I'm famished.

Zed pulled a pot from the stove.

-Leftovers.

He plated the spaghetti.

Betty clapped her hands and dug in.

-More carbo loading, Zed joked. Maybe today will be quiet.

Alice leaned against the counter.

-Quiet? With you? I'll believe it when I see it. Just don't expect us to entertain you if you get bored.

-My Sundays are lazy. If you have plans, don't let me keep you.

Betty pouted playfully. She wound spaghetti around her fork.

-A lazy Sunday sounds exactly like what the doctor ordered. We’re right where we want to be.

Zed leaned on the counter.

-How far do you girls live?

-Far enough, Alice said. In the actual city. Not this quiet suburbia bubble.

She took a bite.

-We haven't exactly been home to water the plants.

-As you can gather, I don’t have a car, Zed said. I work from home and I can walk pretty much anywhere I need to go, he said, somewhat defensively. But we can get you a cab if you need to go back.

Alice stabbed her pasta.

-A cab? To go back to that empty apartment? God, you know how to kill a vibe. We're not running away.

-Maybe to pick a few things up then?, Zed suggested. To make your stay comfortable.

Betty reached out and touched Zed’s arm.

-That's thoughtful, Zed. But honestly? Everything we need is right here.

She glanced at Alice.

-We have each other. And now, well, we have you too. At least for today.

Zed smiled.

-You have me for as long as you want. Consider this home your home.

Alice stared at him.

-Careful, stud. That sounds suspiciously like a proposal.

She forced a laugh.

-And don't go making promises you can't keep just because you got laid.

-I thought we agreed there wouldn't be any promises, Zed said. Wasn't that the deal?

Alice slammed her fork down.

-Exactly. So stop acting like the provider of the year. We're just... hanging out.

She stared him down.

-Keep it casual. Remember?

-Casual, Zed said. I like that.

Betty reached across the counter. She touched Zed’s hand. She looked between them.

-Casual. But nice. Really nice.