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learning how to cook would probably be a more efficient use of my time.”
    “Good point,” Flynn said. He devoured half his plate. “Baby, this is good.”
    “Thanks,” I said with a smile. He usually complimented my cooking every night. I wasn’t used to cooking for two. Normally, I avoided eating in my apartment because of all the critters, but his apartment was clean and open. It was such a nice change. And he had a laundry unit inside the apartment. That was the coolest thing of all.
    “How’s everything going?” I asked. I’m sure my meaning was implied.
    Cortland shrugged while he ate. “I’ve been better.”
    “Any more dates?” Flynn asked.
    “No,” Cortland said.
    “How’d it go with Kacey?”
    “Good,” Cortland said. “She was really cool. And smokin’ hot.”
    “And you aren’t going to see her again?” Flynn asked incredulously.
    “No,” Cortland said sadly. “Dating just reminds me how much I love Monnique. I’m not getting anywhere with it. Kacey wanted to have sex with me and I couldn’t go through with it.”
    Flynn looked at me like I was crazy. “Man, you got it bad.”
    “I wish I didn’t,” Cortland said sadly.
    “So…what’s going on?” Hazel asked.
    “What do you mean?” Cortland asked.
    “With you and Monnique?”
    “We’re just friends.” He finished his plate then put it aside.
    “But you’ve been spending time with her…” I couldn’t believe spending time together was healthy.
    “I can’t stay away,” he said simply. “I want to take her back but…I’m afraid she’ll hurt me again. I couldn’t take it if she did.”
    I’d never seen Cortland this depressed. I wish there was something I could do.
    “Maybe you should go on a vacation or something,” Flynn said. “Just take a break.”
    “So I can sit on a beach and think about Monnique all day?” he said bitterly. He pounded his fist on the table. “God, I hate this. I wish I did n’t love her as much as I do. I fucking sucks.”
    Flynn and I shared a look across the table but didn’t speak. I placed my hand on Cortland’s back and rubbed him gently. “I think you deserve someone better.”
    “You and everyone else,” he whispered.
    “Then what are you going to do?” I asked. “You can’t stay this way forever.”
    “No, I can’t,” Cortland said. “Do you know how hard it is to move on when there’s only one person you want? Even after everything she did, I still want her. I still love her. Why?”
    Flynn gave him a sad look. “Because she’s the one, man.”
    “If she was the one why did she hurt me?” Cortland snapped.
    “Love hurts,” Flynn said. “It’s not always perfect. It’s hard work. When you read books and watch movies, you only see the couple fall in love and get their happily ever after. But they never show all the work and heartache past that point. Just like everything else, love is constantly work. And honestly, no one is perfect. We all fuck up from time to time. When Hazel and I fought a few weeks ago, I was a total ass. But she forgave me because she loves me.”
    “So, you’re saying it’s okay to hurt those you love,” Cortland spat.
    “No,” Flynn said. “Not at all. But like I said, no one is perfect. Everyone fucks up. If you really think Monnique is sorry and has changed, then give her another chance. If she does hurt you again, then you’ll know without a doubt that you need to move on. But if you give her another chance and she’s learned the error of her ways…you could have everything you’ve ever wanted.”
    Cortland leaned back in his chair and said nothing. His fork was still in his hand but he didn’t touch his food. Silence stretched.
    I hated seeing Cortland in pain. He was such a wonderful guy and didn’t deserve any heartache. My experience with Monnique wasn’t necessarily a positive one, but if he loved her there had to be a reason why. I rested my hand on his and rubbed his knuckles. It wasn’t much, but it