Page 79 of Sleep

“Perfect people like us never do. We just bumble through life.”

She was being sarcastic as anything, but maybe she was right—that I should just be me. Do this my way. No rules.

“Sex with them is—” I cut myself off, blushing as I clumsily covered Frazer’s ears. How I knew it was him, not Felicia, I wasn’t sure.

Keeping her eyes on me, Jenny took a seat, peeling a banana then squashing the fruit against Felicia’s cheek, completely missing her mouth.

“Sex?” she questioned, one eyebrow raised.

“Yes.” My cheeks felt like they were on fire. “It’s…surprising.”

“It usually is when you find a good partner, someone who ticks all your boxes.”

“Yes.”

Jenny was still waiting for me to continue, but I had no idea what I wanted to say. She fed some of the banana to Felicia and took a bite herself, chewing as she studied me.

“Mabel is not like everyone else,” she said. “I always thought your type would have been someone more…masculine presenting.”

“So did I,” I admitted. “I’m…I’m in love with them, Jenny. I don’t know where it came from. I love the way they make me feel, the way they move, their clothes, the make-up… I love all of it.”

“And the sex?” she said. “You brought it up.”

Typical Jenny. No stone left unturned.

“You know…” I mouthed the word. “Anal.”

“And what? A lot of people are into that. Straight people too. There’s no shame in liking things done to you or liking to do things. Girls can be really into it too. Receiving and giving. I had a boyfriend once who was obsessed with it. Made me pop all sorts up there. You know all this, don’t you?”

“Jenny…” I warned, tilting my head towards the kids.

“They’re eating bananas and don’t care about out grown-up talk, but we’re not saying anything they shouldn’t hear anyway. Can I give you some pointers?”

“Jenny…” I sighed. “I think we’ve crossed that professional line.”

“It’s not even seven in the morning, and anyway, you brought it up.”

“I know,” I squealed out.

“Okay. How about this? I met a nice couple yesterday in the bar. They invited me back to their hotel room. I politely declined. There. Now we’ve both crossed the line so we’re even. Back to what I was going to say… Are you listening?”

“Yes.”

“Firstly, trust Mabel to guide you. That’s what intimacy is all about. And secondly, Google is your friend. Find on a reputable site and look at equipment. Then you can practise. Just don’t let me walk in on you. Keep it out of office hours and all that…” She shuddered, grinned evilly.

“Enough,” I said sternly.

“Agreed. Moving on to your schedule for today, Mr Templar…”

“Go on.”

“Cloud Ten Construction at ten—for God’s sake go easy on Lysander St Cloud this time. We actually need him to agree to this contract. Then you have Thomas Wu at one-thirty, which will include lunch. After that, I need you at three for a full debrief with me and Kizzy with regards to the Birmingham build. Christmas party is all booked. You’re expected for the first hour, then you can skulk off. I will prompt you. Are you good with all that?”

“All good,” I chirped as Frazer smeared a handful of banana on my leg. I didn’t even blink. Jenny gave me one of those looks worth a million words. I think she was getting emotional.

“You are a good person, Jonny,” she said quietly. “And I’m incredibly grateful for having you in my children’s lives. I hope they will always have you. And should anything happen to me—”

“Don’t,” I begged. I didn’t want to think about it.

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