"Completely." He grins. "Besides, how bad can a zoom meeting full of littles be?"
"Oh, you sweet summer child."
That evening, I sit on Justin’s couch, my laptop open on the table in front of us, trying not to hyperventilate.
"They're going to eat you alive," I warn him.
"Then I'll rise from the ashes." He takes my hand. "Stop worrying."
"Easy for you to say."
He kisses me softly. "I've faced down shareholders, difficult employees, and angry guests. I think I can handle your book club."
"Those were amateurs compared to this."
He laughs, and the sound makes me smile despite my nerves.
Madison’s face is the first to pop up on the screen. She's dressed up—which for Madison means she's wearing lipstick and her good jeans—and her eyes go wide when she sees Justin.
"Holy shit," she breathes. "The pictures did not do you justice."
"Madison!" I hiss.
"What? I'm just saying. Everyone else should be on in a second.” Within a minute, Lily, Chloe, Amber, Maya, and Emily are all on my screen and looking at Justin like he's a specimen under glass.
"Everyone," I say nervously. "This is Justin. Justin, this is... everyone."
"Ladies," Justin says, completely at ease. "Holly's told me a lot about you. Thank you for taking care of her."
Smooth. Very smooth.
“We have questions,” Madison starts.
"I expected nothing less."
We settle back on the couch together, Justin's hand squeezing mine in reassurance. The weight of six pairs of eyes studying us is almost physical.
Lily speaks first. "So. You're the boss."
"I am."
"And you're dating our Holly."
"I am."
"That doesn't concern you? The power dynamic?"
"It concerns me greatly. Which is why we disclosed it properly through HR, established clear boundaries at work, andreassigned Holly's reporting line." He says it calmly, matter-of-factly. "I take the ethics of the situation very seriously."
Chloe leans forward, staring into the camera intensely. "And the other dynamic? The one that's not about work?"
My face flames. "Chloe?—"
"It's okay," Justin says. "Yes. We have a Daddy Dom/little girl dynamic. It's consensual, discussed extensively, and built on trust and communication. Holly has a safe word that she can use at any time, for any reason."
It’s dead silent.
Then Amber grins. "I like him."
