Our place.
Two months ago, after I'd spent more nights at Ethan's house than my own apartment, he'd asked me to move in. Not because it made financial sense, although it did. And not because it was convenient, although it was.
But because he wanted to wake up with me every morning and fall asleep with me every night.
How could I say no to that?
"You're doing the face again," Chloe says, refilling my coffee.
"What face?"
"The disgustingly happy in love face. It's making the other customers nauseous. I’m going to have to charge you a clean-up fee if anyone pukes."
I laugh. "Sorry."
"Don't be sorry. Be grateful you found someone who makes you look like that." She leans against the counter. "How are things with you two?"
"Good. Really good." I close my laptop. "We have our moments. Learning to live together hasn't been completely smooth. He's meticulous about cleanliness in a way that borders on obsessive, and I leave coffee mugs and my dirty socks everywhere."
"Sounds about right."
"But we talk through it and compromise. We're figuring it out together." Even if sometimes I end up bent over the couch, staring at a pair of dirty socks while he spanks my ass. I’ve learned a few things these last few months… like how turned on Ethan gets after he spanks me and how generous of a lover he is.
"That's the important part." Chloe's expression turns thoughtful. "Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"The dynamic. How's that working out in real life? Not just the fantasy version, but the actual day-to-day?"
I consider the question carefully. "It's different than I expected. Not in a bad way, just... more nuanced. Some days I need him to take charge completely. Other days I just need him to be my partner. And he's learned to read which is which. It’s a balanced situation."
"How does he read it?"
"He pays attention. If I'm stressed about a project, he'll make decisions about dinner, about our plans, take that mental load off me. If I'm feeling confident and capable, he steps back, lets me lead." I smile. "If I’m super playful, he knows my little is coming out and he’ll make macaroni and cheese while I color pictures for our fridge. It's not about him controlling me. It's about him creating space for me to be whoever I need to be that day."
"That's beautiful," Chloe says softly.
"It really is."
My phone buzzes again.
Madison: NGBC meeting tonight. Seven pm. My place.
Lily: Can't. Ethan's making dinner.
Holly: Bring him with you.
Lily: To book club?
Amber: Why not? Ty comes sometimes.
Madison: Justin too. We're evolving. Becoming co-ed.
Emily: The more the merrier.
Maya: Plus we want to interrogate him properly.
I show Chloe the messages.
