Three months later, Callie runs into Zain in the lobby of their building.
Zain
Zain
Callie
Callie
Hey Zain!
Zain
Zain
Hi Callie!
They wait for the elevator together.
It’s takes a long time to arrive…
And Callie feels an electric charge go through her body as she stands next to Zain.
She does her best to tamp it down.
Callie
Callie
So, how’s Julia?
Zain
Zain
We broke up.
Callie
Callie
I’m sorry. When did that happen?
Zain
Zain
About a month ago.
Zain
Zain
We just didn’t have that spark, you know?
Callie
Callie
Yeah, I know what you mean.
The elevator comes and they get on.
They’re the only ones inside.
Zain
Zain
So I’ve seen you a few times with that guy.
Callie
Callie
Right. Eli.
Zain
Zain
Good-looking guy.
Callie
Callie
Yeah, he is, isn’t he?
Zain
Zain
How’re things going with him?
Callie
Callie
Actually, we broke up about a month ago too.
Callie
Callie
I just wasn’t feeling it, you know?
Zain
Zain
Yeah, I know what you mean.
Callie
Callie
Well, see you around.
Zain
Zain
Yeah, see ya.
Callie goes to her apartment.
And wonders…
Two nights later there’s a knock at Callie’s door.
Zain
Zain
I’m here from Mattress Flippers Inc. to check on your mattress.
Zain
Zain
Remember, your mattress has a lifetime warranty.
Zain
Zain
How’s the firmness level?
Callie
Callie
Zain, I don’t think I can do this.
Zain
Zain
But…neither of us is seeing anyone.
Zain
Zain
Doesn’t that mean we can trade services again?
Callie
Callie
I don’t think so, Zain.
Zain
Zain
Why not?
Callie
Callie
I don’t want to be the girl you sleep with in between girlfriends.
Zain
Zain
But I thought you just wanted something casual.
Callie
Callie
I thought I did too.
Callie
Callie
But then I went on a few dates with Eli and the whole time, I couldn’t stop thinking about you.
Callie
Callie
And the sex with him…
Zain
Zain
Yes?
Callie
Callie
It was awful.
Callie
Callie
Maybe I wouldn’t have thought it was awful before.
Callie
Callie
But after you…
Callie
Callie
I knew how great sex could be.
Zain advances toward Callie and embraces her.
He runs his fingers through her hair and starts kissing her.
Callie pulls back.
Callie
Callie
This isn’t fair. You just…you even SMELL good to me.
Callie
Callie
Or maybe it’s just your aftershave.
Callie
Callie
What IS that aftershave, anyway?
Callie
Callie
Maybe I should have had Eli wear it.
Zain
Zain
I don’t wear any aftershave.
Callie
Callie
Really? Then it must just be YOU that smells so good.
Callie
Callie
Eau de Zain.
Callie
Callie
It drives me crazy.
Zain
Zain
And your smell drives ME crazy.
Zain
Zain
Everything about you drives me crazy.
Zain
Zain
I have this animal attraction toward you.
Callie
Callie
Zain, we shouldn’t be saying these things to each other.
Callie
Callie
I told you…I can’t do this again.
Zain
Zain
No, listen. Whenever I was with Julia…
Zain
Zain
I couldn’t help thinking of our time together.
Zain
Zain
Julia is great, don’t get me wrong.
Zain
Zain
But when I’m with you, I just feel…
Zain
Zain
Electric.
Callie
Callie
I feel that way too.
Callie
Callie
But I just can’t go back to being Neighbors With Benefits now.
Zain
Zain
You know why? Because it’s not just the sex with us.
Zain
Zain
It never was.
Zain
Zain
It’s the way we are together.
Zain
Zain
It feels so natural.
Callie
Callie
I still worry that it IS just the sex.
Zain
Zain
Well, there’s only one way to find out.
Zain
Zain
You know I wanted our relationship to be more serious.
Zain
Zain
And if you don’t want to just hook up anymore then maybe…
Zain
Zain
Are you ready to be more serious now?
Zain
Zain
Are you ready to try dating me?
Callie
Callie
I am. I’m scared, but I think I am.
Zain
Zain
Don’t be scared. Be excited.
Zain
Zain
I have a feeling the sex is going to get even better.
Zain slips Callie’s shirt over her head. Then he unhooks her bra.
Zain
Zain
What do you say? Should we take this discussion into the bedroom?
Callie
Callie
Yes. Because no one flips a mattress the way you do.
Zain
Zain