She laughs and shrugs.
“See, this is what I was half-joking about the other night. I mean, Luke isfamousat Salt – everyone wants a piece of him. He doesn’t just… pick one person. If he’s pressing pause on everyone else for you, that’s a big deal.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s probably nothing,” she eventually gets out. “But from what you’ve told me, this doesn’t sound terribly casual. I’ve had a lot ofplaymates, as you so elegantly put it, and none of them has ever been exclusive or been interested in washing my hair.”
She purses her lips and then smiles at me as her words echo around my brain.
“I’m going to turn in,” she says, rising from the sofa. “I’m really glad you had a fun night, Em.”
She gives me a look I can’t quite read, but her eyes are soft and I smile faintly back as she heads to her room.
I follow suit and head to my own bed. As I braid my damp hair and brush my teeth, Sloane’s words rattle around my brain. This thing with Luke can’t be anything more than physical, can it? Have I been enjoying myself so much that the lines have become blurry? Luke’s always been hard to read and now thatI’m seeing a whole new side of him, I’m more confused than ever.
He’s caring to a fault. I’ve never felt safer than when I’m with him. But surely that’s the skill of anyone with experience running a club like Salt. Making people feel safe is probably the magic ingredient behind Salt’s success. It doesn’t mean he feels anything other than lust and friendship for me.
I shake my head, brushing the thoughts aside. Luke’s always made it clear that this is purely physical. I cannot and will not catch feelings for someone just because they’re washing my hair and giving me insane orgasms. Those are not the foundations of anything lasting.
With that thought in mind, I close my eyes. Luke’s face is the last thing I picture before I fall into a deep sleep.
The Monday morning after my power exchange session with Luke, I stride into the office like I own the place. I feel a new sense of confidence and I’ll be damned if I’m not letting that follow me into every aspect of my life.
My shoulders are back, my hair’s behaving, and when Jonathan from marketing tries to mansplain our own campaign strategy back to me, I cut him off with a smile sharp enough to draw blood. We’re pitching for a big corporate partner today and I’m not letting anyone stop me from leading the presentation given how much of my blood, sweat, and tears went into the deck.
“Thanks, Jonathan,” I say sweetly. “I’ll take it from here.”
His mouth snaps shut. It hits me, then, that I’m not shrinking or apologising for once. Maybe all that trust I’ve been practising with Luke has bled into here too. Maybe this is what it feels liketo finally take up space. The rest of the team watches, wide-eyed, as I launch into the pitch I’d stayed up half the night fine-tuning. I’m articulate, confident, and unapologetic. And for once, no one interrupts.
By the time I finish, there’s a smattering of actual applause. My boss beams like I’ve just solved climate change.
I’m walking back to my desk, adrenaline still fizzing through me, when I get an unwelcome text from Colin.
Cheating bastard
Hi Emmy, we need to talk. Can we meet for a drink after work?
I snort. I’d forgotten that Chloe had changed his name in my phone. I leave him on read for a couple of hours for my own petty amusement and then reply.
Sure.
Three dots flash up as he instantly replies.
Cheating bastard
I’ll pick you up at your office at 5pm.
No thanks. You can meet me at the Pret on the corner at 5:30pm.
There’s a pause. I can feel his annoyance from here.
Cheating bastard
Ok. See you then.
A few hours later, I head to the Pret a Manger close to my office and order myself a hot chocolate. I’ll be damned if I’m going to go for a proper drink with Colin but I can’t help theflutter of anxiety in my stomach as I wonder why he wants to see me. I’ve appointed my own solicitor and asked him to do the same. There shouldn’t be any need for us to catch up unless something has changed.
I’m fiddling with my phone when the door opens, and in strides Colin, looking harried.
