Page 44 of Born to Make You Smile

“Ms. Mayer, the cracks were worse than we thought. When I started to open things up in your living room ceiling, I saw significant water damage and traces of mold.”

“Mold? Okay. What does that mean for the repairs? How do you get rid of it?”

“Well, we have to remove the affected area, then let it dry out completely. It’s a process. I’d recommend finding the source of the problem, though. You know, the roofing. Otherwise, water will continue getting in if we don’t fix it.”

Eddie kept going on and on. I wasn’t even listening to what he was saying. All I could hear was thecha-chingof dollar signs.

I started to pace. “If we just do the ceiling repairs for now—the mold removal and everything—how much will that cost me?”

“I can do it for ten, including the ceiling repairs for that room.”

“Ten...hundred,” I said, with desperate hope.

“Ten thousand, Ms. Mayer.”

We went back and forth as I pleaded to get him to do it for cheaper.

“I can do nine,” he said. “If you supply the materials and pay cash. That’s the best I can do.”

I sighed. “How long will this take?”

“I’ll bring an extra guy in, and we can start, get it done before the holidays. I’ll require a 10 percent deposit, then a final payment when it’s done.”

I had until Christmas to come up with the money.

Now more than ever, I couldn’t let any hint of feelings for Gavin jeopardize my job. I needed this income like oxygen.

***

The club was quiet on the Tuesday after Halloween. A few couples were playing in rooms, and others were at the presentation on electroplay upstairs. Around nine thirty, Joshua came up to me while I managed the bar on the main level.

“How are you enjoying it here so far?” he asked, having a seat on one of the stools.

I smiled. “So far, so good.”

“If you don’t mind my asking, do you fit in anywhere, you know, kink-wise? I know it's totally a personal question. Just thought I’d ask, if you’re willing to share.”

I shrugged. “Honestly, I’m not sure.”

“Okay, but like, anything you see that sprouts your curiosity or gets you going? It’s also totally fine to be vanilla. A really good quality vanilla ice cream hits the spot sometimes.”

“Well.” I put a bottle of Tanqueray back on the shelf and leaned closer to him. “I’ve never had anyice creambefore. Not even vanilla.”

“Not even a taste.A lick?” he asked, understanding exactly what I was alluding to.

I shook my head, slightly embarrassed.

Joshua’s eyes widened. “Oh, okay. I had no idea. So this place must be a little... shocking for you?”

I shrugged again. “You know what. Not really. Not as much as I thought. It’s cool, but it’s not something that gets me going for the most part. I think I might actually be asexual. But I’m not sure. It’s complicated.”

“What do you meanit’s complicated?”

I sighed, hesitant to get into it all. “Normally, I’m not attracted to men. I mean, I can appreciate a beautiful body and face. I love kissing and cuddling, and I’m open to dating. But the sexual stuff? It’s not really my thing. Except...”

He nodded, urging me to continue. “Except…”

“This one man. A much,mucholder man I’ve known almost my entire life. Who also happens to be my boss. He brings something out in me. And I feel that pull, that sexual attraction with him. When I watch some of the things going on in this club, it’s only when I imagine him doing them to me—commanding me, controlling me, praising me—that’s when the idea of kink excites me. I don’t know why I only want anything sexual with him.”

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