Page 31 of CurVy Baby

“No.” I shake my head politely, but I don’t elaborate. No one asks them why they drink; I don’t think I need a reason for not wanting to. In truth, I’m not drinking because I want to kiss the hottest man in the room, and I don’t want alcohol on my breath.

I keep to myself, enjoying Dexter’s thumb moving over my inner thigh. The menu is set, so I relax, gazing at the view as they talk about business.

I barely listen, until someone says, “So, Vallie, we must be boring you. What do you do for a living?” Drew sips her wine, leaving a pink smear on the rim.

I look between the three of them. Think. Hesitate. Fuck…Read porn and talk about it… Actually, it is how I met Dexter. It’s quite a story…“I’m, um, I’m an influencer. Books mainly. I love to read.”

I omit the kinds of books.

“Oh, how modern.” Drew praises. “We could use a marketing girl at Starlight. You know they need a new perspective. New talent.”

“Starlight is a publishing house.” Dexter sets his coffee down on the table, finished. “She would be wonderful, but Vallie has a far more important job. She is a mum.”

Naw. That’s nice to hear.

“Oh, how traditional.” I laugh at myself, and Drew shares my whimsical retort. She’s alright. I can’t read her, but she seems harmless. “I genuinely love what I do, and it fits in around Molly.”

This is my insight into the corporate wifey world, fantastic food, incredible views, and banter.

The evening continues, and I watch him in his element. Powerful, in control, smooth as fuck—to everyone else… ButIdon’t miss the small ways he shuffles when they order more wine and, once again, offer him one, forgetting that he is sober. His body is tightening.

Hand on my thigh.

Coils in his neck.

A subtle collage of discomfort.

It dawns on me, I’m here to distract him—Dexter. Not to distract his colleagues like I had presumed. I’m here to support him while he’s in an environment centred around alcohol. I place my hand over his, squeezing gently.

I’m his new addiction. And I’m so proud of him, and I plan on showing him with my mouth on the drive home just how healthy his new addiction is for him.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

TYLER

Two weeks later.

I wander around the corridors, searching for my Vallie, needing her.

It’s ten am on Saturday, and Molly has already learned a new drum solo and is eager to show her mum.

As I approach the door to the home office—expecting it to be closed and locked as usual—low voices slow my footfalls.

“You need to speak with Tyler. Spend time with him. He knows something is wrong between you two.”

“I have seen him most days.”

Dexter…

“You can barely look him in the eyes.”

For weeks, I’ve seen him only in passing. My big brother is too busy organising his office, networking, too busy… Ready to leave me again. My neck twitches to Martha Argerich’s favourite chord—C-minor.

Trigger.

The word comes to me.

I take a deep breath and wiggle my toes in my shoes. Sense my own reality. On the ground. In this house—my home. It’s huge… Dexter and I haven’t seen much of each other over the past few weeks, not since the night in the cabin.

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