Who Gets the Friends? by Tim Smith Page B

store selling holiday keepsake ornaments. He scanned a shelf filled with snow globes, then smiled when he saw one that contained a gold angel holding a harp. He took it from the shelf, shook it, then watched the faux snow settle. Perfect. I didn’t see one like this in her collection.
    He paid for it, then rejoined the traffic. He slowed when he saw Rashida approaching with a large bag draped over her arm. She smiled when she saw him.
    “Hey, stranger,” she said before hugging him. “Didn’t expect to find you here. How’ve you been?”
    “Good. Yourself?”
    “Pretty good. Doing your last minute shopping?”
    “Uh-huh. I’m guessing you are, too.”
    She groaned. “Thought I had it all done, then someone decided to do Secret Santa at work, so here I am.” She paused. “How come I haven’t seen you around the gym lately?”
    “No excuses besides being busy. Would you like to get some coffee?”
    “Love to. I could use a break.”
    He escorted her to the food court. They found an empty table and took seats.
    “How’s the massage business?” he asked.
    “Not bad. I’ve been selling a ton of gift cards so I know I’ll be busy after the holidays.” She took a sip. “Aren’t you about due for your monthly tune-up?”
    Tom laughed. “I could always use it.”
    She gave him a sly look. “Then why haven’t you called for an appointment?”
    He drank some coffee. How far do I want to go with this? “Again, no excuses.”
    Rashida gave him a curious look, then rested her hand on his. “Hey, baby, I’m not talkin’ about anything serious, just a little fun between friends.”
    He squeezed her hand. “I know.” He hesitated. “But maybe I am talking about something more serious.”
    She slowly nodded. “I understand. You found someone and you’d like to see where it goes.”
    “Looks like you got me. Upset with me?”
    She chuckled. “No, I’m not upset. I told you I didn’t want anything like that right now.” She brought his hand to her full lips, then kissed it. “But I wouldn’t mind bein’ your little secret on the side.”
    Tom smiled. “I’ll keep it in mind.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Jessica stood in the long line at the bookstore, patiently waiting her turn. She looked again at the books she had chosen and smiled when she got to the one she had picked out for Tom. I hope he likes this. It’s tough figuring out what to get someone you don’t know real well, and I don’t like gift cards. Too impersonal.
    She was surprised by a woman’s voice. “Hi, Jessica.”
    She turned and came eye to eye with Susan Walters, her late boyfriend’s sister. Jessica suddenly felt awkward and dreaded what was about to come next.
    “Hello, Susan.”
    “This is a pleasant surprise. I haven’t seen you since the funeral. How have you been?”
    “Good. Yourself?”
    “Doing all right. Mom said she invited you to stop by for Christmas.”
    “She did but I’ve already made plans. Sorry.”
    “I understand. So how are things going?”
    Jessica paused. “Pretty good. I don’t want this to come as a shock, but I recently met a guy.”
    Her eyebrows arched. “Wow, that’s pretty sudden.”
    “Susan, it’s been a long time. I needed to move on.”
    Susan gave her a curious look. “I would’ve thought that Brad meant more to you than that.”
    Jessica slowly exhaled in an effort to keep your tongue in check. “What do you want me to say? Yes, Brad meant the world to me, but I couldn’t barricade myself forever.” She paused. “I know the holidays are going to be tough for you and the family, but they aren’t going to be easy for me, either. I just hope you can understand that.”
    Susan nodded. “I suppose you’re right. Do you like this new guy you met?”
    Jessica felt a smile overtake her face. “Yeah, I do. He’s pretty nice. We’re still friends?”
    Susan hugged her. “Like sisters. After the holidays, why don’t we get together for lunch? We can catch up.”
    “I’d like