“I’d learned a lot about what he needs in the club. But I haven’t had a session with him in a while. Not since he became one with Sam and Ali.” Tabitha sipped from her glass and broke off a piece of her biscuit. “Sam knows exactly what he’s doing with Josh. Some sessions, though, are purely spur of the moment. In those cases, I have to pay very close attention to their words and body language.”
“It relaxes me to know the time and care you put into your sessions.”
“Thank you, Andrew.”
I was pretty sure I wouldn’t have to be worried about having a session with Tabitha, as soon as I was ready for it.
“James suggested that I start re-evaluating my hard and soft limit list.”
“It’s a good idea to do it while you’re away from the Oxygen atmosphere.”
“Do you talk to James about bottoms?”
“Occasionally, yes. If it’s one of his own.”
“I used to be one of his.”
“You’re still one of his, Andrew. Just because the rules or dynamics have changed a bit, doesn’t mean he stopped caring.”
“Has he said anything to you recently about my limits and such?”
“Nothing other than that you need some time. He doesn’t know how your limits have changed. Only you do.”
Damon brought our food over, and we ate in silence for a few moments.
“So how did you like living in Denver?” I asked, trying to lighten the topics.
“I liked it. Lots of snow, and the seasons were beautiful. Southern California doesn’t see the seasons changing much.”
“True, but I like not having to contend with snow.” I laughed.
“True, but if you had to, at least you have a vehicle capable of it.”
I nodded and smiled.
“Did you like working in Denver?”
“Mmm.” Tabitha lifted her napkin from her lap and dabbed her mouth. “Not really,” she added.
“No?” I laughed out loud, drawing her to laugh as well. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
“I worked for a wonderful law firm. They had a handful of high-profile and equally high-maintenance clients, though. At first, it was fine defending people, but it got old very fast. These clients were in constant need of defense. It was like a revolving door with them. Most of the senior partners or the firm’s owners would handle their cases, but then I started to be assigned to the cases of their kids.”
“Wow, crime in the whole family, huh?”
“Something like that, yes. They were minors when I represented them, and the offenses were petty crimes. Graffiti, habitual speeding, public nuisances, loitering, skateboarding on sidewalks. Just ridiculous things. Pretty soon, I was only being assigned to their kids’ cases, and I was tired of it.”
“I can understand that. It sounds like you were a personal babysitter for their kids. So it makes sense why you wanted out.”
“I love what I do now. I get to apply my knowledge to help the marketing firm with their client contracts.”
“I’m glad you’re not a defense attorney here. Elise may have hired you. Then it would be awkward in Oxygen and all,” I teased.
Tabitha laughed as she finished chewing. She dabbed her lips with the napkin before taking a sip of her Coke.
“Remember, clients can be turned down. I’m assuming since she’s facing these hefty charges that there is, in fact, a lot of evidence against her. I would have reviewed it and declined the case.”
“That’s good to know.”
