Page 63 of A Little Light

“Oh, she’s not my partner. Not at all. Everything you saw then was very platonic. She was my client.” Rachel would have to be honest if she had any hope of Sally not going out of her mind. She would explain everything to Andi later. Yes, Sally probably had an opinion on escorts—most people did—but it wasn’t her business. She wasn’t the one sleeping with Rachel. “Sally, I’m an escort.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I’m an escort,” she said matter of factly. “She was just a client. I’d never do anything to hurt Andi.”

Sally scoffed. “Never do anything to hurt her? What the hell do you think will happen?” She threw up her hands and backed away. “I have to go. I can’t believe I’m hearing this!”

“Sally, wait!” Rachel sighed, aware that this wasn’t ideal. It didn’t matter to her and Andi, but Rachel knew that Andi’s nearest and dearest wouldn’t like this. Perhaps that was why Andi hadn’t said anything to them yet. Maybe she never would… “Sally, please?”

But Sally was gone, rushing across the road while the pedestrian crossing was flashing.

Rachel’s shoulders slumped, the cold air seeping through her skin, the hustle and bustle of Christmas shoppers rushing around her.

Well, I guess it’s time to hear what people think of me via Andi’s friends…

* * *

Andi held the phone away from her ear, wincing as Sally started to yell down the line.

“I’ve no idea what you’ve just said. Calm down, take a breath, and try again.” Andi put her call on loudspeaker to save her eardrums. “What’s wrong?”

“Rachel! I’ve just bumped into her in the city, and I just…couldn’t believe what I was hearing.”

Andi frowned. What the hell had happened. “Is she okay?”

“Oh, she’s fine. With another woman’s hands all over her!”

“I’m sorry?” Andi couldn’t have heard that right; Rachel wasn’t intimate with clients. “What are you talking about?”

“Outside a restaurant. Saying goodbye to someone.” Sally took a breath. “She said you know about it. T-that she’s an escort.”

“Well, yes. I do know about it.” Andi had been meaning to tell Sally more about Rachel, but life had been a little bit hectic recently. She was far too busy enjoying her time with Rachel. And really, Rachel’s job was entirely irrelevant. “You said something about hands all over her?”

“Mm.”

“Could you…be more specific?” Andi knew Rachel wouldn’t do anything to hurt her, but Sally often got way ahead of herself when it came to relaying information. “You make it sound as though they were hiding down an alleyway doing things they shouldn’t be doing.”

“First of all, this woman kissed her on the cheek. Then she’s chatting to Rachel with her hand on her back. Very close to Rachel’s arse.”

Andi rolled her eyes. “Oh, stop being so bloody dramatic.”

The doorbell sounded, giving Andi the perfect opportunity to end this call. She moved towards the door and opened it, her smile spreading wide when Rachel stared back at her. She mouthed ‘come in’ and closed the door.

“I can’t believe you know about this. Or that you’re okay with it. I know you’re exploring Andi, but fucking hell. Explore with someone else. Please, I’m begging you.”

“I’m not dealing with you right now. I have things to take care of.” Andi eyed Rachel, a now familiar wetness between her thighs as Rachel leant heavier on one foot, those heels drawing Andi in. God, she looked so good tonight. The dress…well, it would be on Andi’s bedroom floor soon. “I’ll call you tomorrow.” Andi ended the call, her gaze not wavering. “Hi.”

“Andi, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what Sally has said, but the likelihood is that she’s blown it out of proportion. I know she’s your best friend, but—” Rachel cut herself off when Andi stalked towards her and placed her phone on the nearby table. “Andi?”

“Mm?” Andi wrapped an arm around Rachel’s waist, pulling her in.

“Shouldn’t we talk about this?” Rachel asked, a sudden moan slipping out as Andi placed kisses along her jawline and towards her ear. “Oh, God.”

“We can talk…or we can not talk.” Andi knew which she preferred, and as she pulled back and looked into Rachel’s eyes, she knew the answer. “Not talking sounds like a good idea to me.”

Rachel grazed her fingertips across Andi’s lower stomach, eliciting a moan. “I can think of other things to do than talking.”

“Oh, me too.” Andi guided a hand between Rachel’s legs and slipped it up her dress. “You look so good tonight.” It wasn’t often Andi got to see this side of Rachel. Dressed up for some expensive dinner. Andi would have to insist on it more often. Her fingertips teased Rachel’s lips through her underwear. “And you feel even better.” Andi nipped at Rachel’s bottom lip, smiling into a kiss. “Tell me you can stay the night.”

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