In-Between

Tender was at wit's end. If she had a magic wand she would've greatly considered wishing away this particular case. She knew she was good at her job but having to face her best friend who was equally as good or even better made it interesting. Yes, a fact she could never deny. Working with her best friend was all shades of amazing but working on opposing sides, made the career worth it. They were one of the best lawyers in New York City but they both agreed to play on different teams to see how that goes for both of them.

The major problem now was that she hadn't had the opportunity to see her in 2 months. It was the first time they'd been apart for so long. Two brothers battling over their dead father's company have them in different cities and so occupied they can’t make time for each other. Was it truly worth it?

She paced the length of her office repeatedly hoping to come up with a way to get herself out of this position. She has thought of dropping the case and having her best friend relocate to New York City so they can continue as partners but she has never been one to prefer an easy way out especially an easy way out of a friendly competition.

"You have a call ma". Her secretary who has a knack for poor timing walks in to interrupt her thoughts. She turns, leaning on the table "Who is it?"

"Nelissa" the secretary responds with an indecipherable look on her face

As if the universe conspired for her sake, it was the only other person who occupied her thoughts. Tender smiled with her head slightly bowed before she stood, rounding the edge of the table.

"Put the call through"

She sits behind a huge mahogany table. Her office had lots of wooden furniture. She bought the best from Uncle Jones who happened to be a distant relative of her dad. He supplied the best wooden furniture in the state and though he offered to work on her office space at a discounted price, Tender knew she'd never take that offer. She ran her palm on the smooth surface that smelled like earth and picked up the office phone.

"Why the formality Nessa,” Tender grins “ You have my line" She clears her throat and loosens her tie.

Relaxing in her seat, Tender starts tapping her knee gently, enjoying the sound of laughter from Nessa.

"I know, I know but it's been rough on my end so I had to call your office line.

You haven't missed me." Nessa says as she laughs gently again into the speaker.

Emotions had never been Tender's strong suit and she knows it but she always made an exception for Nessa. They grew up together and she has been the most consistent person in her life. Tender knew she'd do anything for her and having to keep such distance from her was already exhausting. She missed her but they agreed to this, she wouldn’t allow her emotions to get in the way of it.

"I have missed you greatly Nessa. I just didn't want to make your work difficult with Atrayer who happens to be your client. I know how they are since I am stuck with the other half."

Nessa laughs. She has always been such a lively person and Tender can’t help but wish she allowed another partner to handle the case.

"Ugh!! Nothing has ever stopped you from reaching out but it is fine. I'm a few blocks away from your office. You know where." She adds before going silent.

"I'll see you soon Nessa."

Tender stands from the chair and makes her way to the bathroom. Turning on the tap, she takes the water in her hands and gently pats her face. She takes the face towel cleans what’s left of the water on her face and makes her way to the jacket stand in her office.

Tender could feel the weight come off her shoulders. Nessa, the only person who she has ever been comfortable with is in town and 15 minutes away. She tucked her sky-blue long-sleeved shirt neatly in her suit trousers and wore her jacket. She spends some seconds in front of the mirror to make sure she’s perfectly put together before stepping out.

She wore a pair of Berluti double monk strap black shoes on a cream Ralph Lauren suit. Tender preferred having her suits hand-made by artisans who specialized just to get the perfect fit. She had different colors of custom-made suits and she knew she looked good in them.

She moved back to her shelf to grab her keys as she made her way to the door.

"I'm off for the day. Reschedule my meetings for today and fix them in the daily lunch break I have for this week."

‘Okay,’ Clara her secretary responds sounding distant and still wearing that look Tender saw on her face. If she had time to spare, she would have inquired about her secretary’s well-being to be sure all was well with her but, Tender knew some things could wait well others could not.

Tender made it down the underground car pack to her car. She had several of them but her favorite is the first collection of Bugatti la vioture noire. She slid into the driver’s seat, her fingers gently caressing the steering wheel as the engine roared to life, and she pulled onto the busy street of New York City.

Her excitement was palpable and in just 10 minutes, she arrived at the familiar coffee shop. A quaint little place that held many memories of theirs. Though small, there was an energy there that was always soothing. The coffee shop belonged to Camila, a friend of theirs and a member of their little group of friends.

Tender made her way to the door and pushed to get in. The doorbell rang, drawing the patron’s attention to her. Among them is Nessa who is seated on a table tucked at the end corner which they both preferred.

"Hi Cam" She called out as she made her way in. Camila, a literal ball of sunshine and happiness.

Tender knew Camila through Nessa back in college. She got close to Camila because she radiated so much warmth and at the time, she knew only Nessa.

"You look good as usual Tender" Camila was making her way towards her wearing a smile.

"Thank you. Good to see you though it’s been a while and I apologize for my absence."

Tender and Camila shared a brief hug. Camila squinted and looked at her before saying “The source of your absence is now present.”

She chuckles to herself before pulling away. Tender gives her a playful look.

"I'll bring your orders in 5," Camila says over her shoulder walking towards the vaguely familiar patrons who have just arrived. Tender didn’t have to say anything to Camila because she knew their orders by heart right from their days back in college.

Being in college with Camila, Nessa, Cynthia, Ted, and Nathan had been the best part of college for Tender. Her friends were her backbone when her family fell apart and she was struggling in school. They stayed in the same house off campus after they found themselves in the same assignment group and bonded over the same assignment which they all had to re-do. But then, Nessa was the sole reason she made friends with all of them.

The best part about seeing Nessa was the way her presence carried a unique, alluring scent. If Tender had walked, she would've perceived it a block away. It was a fragrance that was impossible to ignore or forget. Whatever perfume Nessa wore had a flawless blend of vanilla and lemon in it. It filled her nostrils as she walked towards her friend who was already standing.

Nessa stood with the warmest smile. She wore a burgundy knee-length gown with a high slit by the left knee, white pencil heels, a van clef brace, and neck piece to match. Her blond colored hair fell around her shoulders. She was particularly beautiful and her dress hugged her curves in the right places. Tender had always wondered why she wasn't in any relationship. Her previous relationship has always ended before it began and Nessa just did not care enough to be sad.

"Hi boo."

Nessa had the biggest grin on her face. She opened her arms and gently put them round Tender and squeezed tight. Tender was all too eager to return the hug in the same manner because she truly missed her. They remained like that longer than usual before she began to withdraw which made Nessa move. Nessa is slender and a little shorter than Tender who's built like a basketball player. Slender arms with muscles and a better height advantage.

"It's been forever, Nessa."

Tender resisted the urge to say more just yet allowing her best friend to lead the conversation as usual. Nessa was the active speaker, the social butterfly, and the wildfire. As opposed to Tender, the quiet observer.

"I've missed you, hun, I hope you're not trying to be formal with me though".

She watched Nessa smile again, her eyes closing. It was cute in a way that made her wonder again, why Nessa was single. Agreeably, her friend is a catch.

"I missed you as much. How long are you in town for?"

"A week love and I'm staying at yours. I'll have my place cleaned so I can finally put it up for lease before I leave." She looked at Tender with hesitation “Since I stay at yours all the time?”

"You're welcome to stay as long as you'd like Nessa. My place is ours, yours and mine. How's Boston treating you?"

"You mean how's Atrayer Cosmos treating me? He's an okay client."

"Ugh!! I see." She looked away towards Camila who was approaching them with a tray.

She knew if she was staring herself in a mirror she’d be disappointed at her poor attempt to mask whatever emotion was currently present on her face which made Nessa wink at her.

Tender held Nessa’s left hand and turned it to see her wrist. They had matching tattoos they got in high school when she lost her mum. It was a Hebrew word meaning *till death* and it served as a reminder of the promises they made to each other at the time. They had a history but it was nothing sexual, ever. She thinks.

“A caramel macchiato for Tee and a chai latte for Nessa. I will ask Aaron to bring croissants once he’s out. Enjoy yourselves. ” Camila said with an expression Tender did not quite understand. It seemed she was the only person not in on the joke as Nessa was also spotting a smile which indicated she knew something. She was heavily blushing also which was her thing.

“So there’s an inside joke I’m missing out on huh?” Tender said before taking a sip out of the cup of beverage before her. It was still her favorite thanks to Camila and Cynthia who made her like something other than spring water.

“We did catch up before I called you Tee” Nessa responded as she settled her cup on the table “We can try a club tonight before heading to yours” she added looking at Tender through her lashes “It’s been a while you know, two months without you is no fun.”

Tender shifted in her seat as she looked at her best friend who was by every means beautiful. There was something different about this conversation but she didn’t know what it was. Well, the idea of clubbing this night won’t be bad. She acquiesces.

“A club this night will be fine. Who will we be going with?” Tender asked as she adjusted her tie before removing it. She folded the tie and dropped it beside her car key on the table. She closed her eyes as she undid the first button of her shirt and bent forward to take off her suit jacket. She opened her eyes just in time to catch Nessa staring at her.

“Do you want to bite me Nessa?” she teased with a smirk before drinking from the cup of beverage while staring at her friend who was grinning at her.

“If you asked politely” Nessa retorted with a smile “Anything for you Boo”

"So how have you been?" Tender steered the conversation to a lighter path.

"Let's drop the case"

Nessa said suddenly. She liked the whole law thing but there was more to it which she wasn’t willing to discuss yet. Besides, she knew the Cosmos brothers were good at tearing everything apart in their wake.

"Let's finish this and take a trip. It sucks, we don't speak much and I'm not actively trying to go against you in court but I need us to see this to the end." Tender flexed her wrist and took Nessa’s hand "Nothing can come between our friendship but let's settle this because we are the best at it".

Tender knew something was left unspoken but she did not push it. She knew her friend as much as she knew herself and whatever it was, she was certain they’d discuss it when the time was right.

"Alright Tender, we'll get this done and take a break. I have a condition though" Nessa’s smile returned. This time, she had a look on her face which made Tender feel she was in trouble.

“Shoot” she responded leaning into her seat and undoing her second button.

She knew Nessa was staring. Her eyes followed her hand and Tender found the whole situation funny “You have a lot up your sleeves Nessa. Come on, state your condition.”

“You will call, and visit Boston at least once in a week.” Nessa looked sad “Two months of not seeing you is unfair,” she said almost in a whisper.

“That’s fine with me.” Tender responded “So does that mean” She is interrupted by the presence of Aaron with a plate of croissants.

“Sorry, this is coming late. I promise it is soft enough and you’ll enjoy it.” He offered with his head slightly bowed.

“That’s fine Aaron” Nessa responded in a formal tone, she opened her wallet and gave him a $10 tip which Aaron collected with a wide smile.

“Thank you,” he said before bowing and turning to return to serve other patrons.

They heard the bell at the door ring signifying new patrons which happened to be Nathan and Ted, smiling while holding each other. They approached Tender and Nessa with open arms as they both stood to take the hug.

“It’s been a while loves” Nathan started with a smile that reached his eyes. He gives Nessa a once over “Girl you are smoking hot” he gushes.

Nessa in turn laughed loudly which reverberated through the coffee shop and had the patrons turning towards their direction.

“Thanks, Nathan. You both look good as well” she replied as she turned to the seat Tender occupied to join her while Nathan and Ted took the seat opposite them.

Ted and Nathan sat holding each other’s hand, they started dating back in college and their relationship lasted for a long while.

“My suited friend, the one who wears suit the best on earth” Ted hypes looking at Tender “Do you ever have bad days?”

“Nothing can go wrong in a suit bro” Tender responds cackling.

Nessa dropped her hands on Tender’s right leg rubbing her hand along the length of her thigh before squeezing gently and whispering in her ear “We are going clubbing tonight.”

There’s something about Nessa’s touches that made Tender hot. Maybe it’s because they’ve been apart for a while. Every touch makes her want to hold on and not let go.

They spend a couple of hours catching up in the cozy corner of the coffee shop sipping on their second round of beverages while waiting for Camila to finish and Cynthia’s arrival. At 10 pm, Cynthia had arrived. Camila had closed for the night and joined the group. They ordered the third round of beverages for the night with Camila and Cynthia joining in to catch up with the rest of them.

Their laughter echoed through the walls of the empty coffee shop as they spoke and reminisced about college and how they had all studied law only for Cynthia and Camila to decide at dying minute not to practice. As the conversation progressed, Nessa continued to run her palm gently on Tender’s thigh, an act which Tender seemed to enjoy.

After they had conversed enough, they left the coffee shop for the club Nessa suggested by 11 p.m. Tender drove Nessa, Ted and Nathan shared a car while Cynthia drove Camila.