Chapter 7: Slip

"Let me get this straight," Cosima said, and put down her fork.

"You went to a gym to hit something, and you ended up sleeping with the owner."

"I didn't plan it."

"The owner of the gym where Dustin cheated."

"Where Dustin met the girl. He didn't cheat there."

"Rae."

"It's a technicality, Cosima, but it matters."

We were at our usual lunch spot near my office, a noodle counter with eight stools and one cook who never spoke.

Cosima and I had been best friends since our first week of college, and she knew every one of my faces.

She was looking at the one I made when I thought about Gina.

"Okay," she said finally. "Tell me she's nice."

"She's nice."

"Tell me she's not using you to get back at Dustin."

"She hasn't said his name once since that night. I'm the one who keeps bringing him up."

"That's not an answer."

"She won't take my money, Cosima. Not a dollar. She keeps saying I don't owe her anything."

Cosima's face went careful.

"Does that feel nice," she asked, "or does it feel weird?"

"Nice," I said slowly. "Mostly. A little weird."

"Why does she say no to money?"

"She says it's her student's mess and she'll carry it."

"Hm," Cosima said, and went back to her noodles.

"What does 'hm' mean?"

"It means I'm happy for you and I'd like to meet her."

"Soon."

"This week."

"Next week. Her gym has a charity boxing night next Friday. Come watch."

"Charity boxing?" Cosima's eyebrows went up. "People get hit in the face for charity?"

"Amateurs. Eight fights, all the money goes to a youth program."

"Is Dustin going to be there?"

"I haven't asked."

"Rae."

"I'll ask her tomorrow."

I laughed so hard at Cosima's expression that the silent cook looked over.

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