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smile.
    I suddenly got an idea.
    “Morning; glad you’re here. Liora has something to tell you,” I said stepping back. “Come on in. The powwow is in the living room.”
    “Hey Boss!” he said cheerfully, as he sat down in the recliner across from her.
    Liora smiled at him, then looked at me uncomfortably. When she saw the wicked grin on my face, she turned beet red.
    “So Liora here tells me that she didn’t want me to help you meet anyone,” I said, glancing at Simon.
    “I’m confused,” he replied.
    “Yeah, get this. She wanted me and you to get together. Ridiculous, isn’t it?” I asked with a laugh.
    “Hm.”
    I looked at Simon and Liora and realized that I was the only person that thought it was a joke. Something about the look on his face told me he might have known all along.
    “Simon? Isn’t it ridiculous? Especially since you met Eliza?” I prompted.
    He lowered his eyes to the carpet, “Yeah. Ridiculous.”
    My phone vibrated causing me to jump. I didn’t realize I had fallen asleep last night with it in my pocket.
    Hey.
    It was Fin.
    Hey.
    Sorry I freaked out like that on your friend earlier.
    It’s okay. I’m sure you understand where she’s coming from though.
    Yeah . . . Listen, Eden? I know I messed up, but would you want to go out sometime? Just the two of us?
    I stared at my phone. I didn’t expect that. I closed the messaging application and put my phone face down on the couch next to me. I thought it would be fun to make him wait; especially since I had no idea what I wanted to do yet.
    “Stripper Fucker?” Liora asked me.
    I sighed.
    That comment was enough to make my mind up for me.
    Sure Fin. Call me later and we’ll figure it out.
    Awesome. Talk to you soon. :)
    I turned my phone off and threw it on the charger.
    “Well, if you guys are all set, mind if I spend the rest of the day alone? I need to take a shower, maybe take a nap. Eat something. Alone. Without judgment.”
    Liora looked at Simon, then back at me.
    “Maybe Simon can stay? I mean you know, just to make sure you’re okay?” she suggested.
    “No offense, Simon, but I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself,” I snapped.
    “Never in your life will you come across someone as stubborn as that girl right there,” she muttered to him, getting to her feet.
    Simon got up silently and followed Li to the door. They both left without looking back and I went over and locked the door.
    I was frustrated.
    Liora wanted me with Simon but I pushed Simon onto Eliza. Finley wanted to be with me again, but Liora wanted his head on a platter. Simon seemed to want to have fun and I wanted ...
    What did I want?
    I just want to be left alone.
    Yeah, that seemed like a simple and truthful enough answer. I would go out to dinner with Finley because he was a lot of fun and I missed him. I would hang out with Simon to breed him for conquering the dating world and then I would live in my little one bedroom apartment, late on rent, and happy at my video game store.
    Alone.
    Forever.
    I should probably get a cat or ten.
    I rolled my eyes at my future prospect of being the proverbial Crazy Cat Lady and sat down on the couch.
    The house phone rang which was odd, because everyone knew to always call my cell phone unless it was an emergency.
    “Hello?”
    “Eden! I’ve been calling your cell for twenty minutes!”
    It was Chris; the store manager.
    “Sorry Chris. I have it off and on the charger. What’s up?” I said, suddenly remembering why my cell didn’t vibrate.
    “Matt called off tonight. Stomach bug or some shit, can you come in and take his shift?”
    “Sure! I’ll be there in an hour!” I said hanging up.
    I was always happy to take more shifts, since I was always needing extra cash.
    I got in the shower and as I was scrubbing my hair thought of Simon’s kiss. I began to lather my hair slowly as I thought of Finley’s kiss. God, they were both so amazing and talented with their lips and—
    Shit. Finley.
    I had