Page 95 of Pretty Little Thing

I sit back in my chair as another round of mimosas appear on the table and the server’s shadow disappears behind me.

“You’re right,” I say. “Who cares if he’s homeless?”

Trix briefly raises her hand but Melanie forces it back down.

“He’s clean,” I continue. “And gorgeous and funny. And he likes me. And I like him. And yeah, it’s a little awkward since he’s my employee, but—”

“Whoa, what?” Melanie says over me. “Employee? What is this?”

“He works at Black Book. Did I not mention that?”

“Uh... no. What does he do?”

“He’s...” I pause, thinking twice about telling them but it’s too late now. “He’s my new, hot temp.”

Trix blinks twice. “You’re fucking your homeless, Daddy Dom employee?”

“Yeah.” Melanie frowns. “I might have to change my vote here…”

“What? Why?” I ask. “Two seconds ago you were all for it.”

“Nora, you cannot bang a guy on your payroll,” she scolds.

“Oh, come on. No one cares about that kind of thing anymore,” I argue. “Our personal relationship doesn’t even touch our work relationship. I barely even see him throughout the day and as soon as Ira comes back, he’ll be gone anyway.”

“So, there’s been no hidden, lingering glances?” she asks. “No private chats or secret messages? Promises of post-work hook-ups?”

I hesitate. “... No?”

Melanie sighs and reaches for her phone.

“Nora,” Trix says, “how long have you really thought about this and all the ways it could possibly go wrong?”

I stare across the restaurant, my mind hung in a state of temporary blankness.

Shit, they’re right. I haven’t thought about this enough. I’ve only considered how good he made me feel.

Trix snatches Melanie’s phone away from her. “No,” she snaps.

“Hey, give that back.”

“Only if you promise to stop taking notes on our love lives for your naughty romance novels. Steal your ideas from K-dramas just like everybody else.”

“Okay, fine.” Melanie takes it back and sets it down. “I’ll stop.”

I keep staring forward, my hand running on autopilot to deposit multiple sips of my drink down my throat. I made up excuses to say no but they instantly dissolved the second Clive’s tongue touched mine. Damn the consequences, or so I thought…

“Nora? You still in there?”

I’m not sure which one said it but I glance between their sympathetic eyes. “Hmm,” I hum.

“Look,” Melanie says, “we are but two opinions. Ultimately, it’s up to you. What do you want?”

I flex my jaw. “I want my sexy, homeless street rat,” I say.

“Then, go get him.” She smiles. “Who am I to judge? I’m probably just jealous anyway. I haven’t gotten laid in months.”

Trix nods. “That would explain the writer’s block.”

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