“Good to have you back, Garrett,” says Barbara.
“We missed you.”
“Wasn’t the same without you.” The others all join in.
My chest puffs out, and I’m grinning as I pack away the gear. Maybe I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I’m good at my job. I’m wanted. And the hottest woman on the planet is giving me a second chance.
My life might have been pretty average, but death’s been kind to me.
TWENTY TWO
Jen
Adam holds out the new pink set of lingerie with a grin. “This one.”
I’m buzzing with energy as I dress, excited about what the night will bring. We’ve arranged to meet Astor, the dragon from the monster dating app, at a bar downtown. I’ve never been to Night Shift before, but apparently it’s very popular with the supernatural crowd. Hopefully that means Adam will feel comfortable there too. He was anxious about work today, but from everything he’s told me, it went well.
I’m glad he’s coming with me. I wasn’t sure how the whole hotwife thing was going to work when he first brought it up, but it turns out Adam has been doing his research. On his lunch break today he sent me an article written by a woman who has been in the lifestyle with her husband for nearly twenty years. The author is down-to-earth, and her story was reassuring. She spoke honestly about some of the challenges she and her husband faced as they were starting on their journey. Rather than presenting it as simply a hot fantasy with no downsides, she talked about the fact that they had to learn to communicate openly with each other and any potential partners.
It made me feel like it’s something real people do. Not just characters in films and bad erotica.
As a final touch, I add some bright red lipstick and step out of the bathroom in my short black dress.
Adam looks up from his phone, and his grin stretches right across his face. “Fuck me. I am the luckiest guy in the universe, you know that?”
I give him a little twirl just to enjoy the sound of appreciation he makes as I show off how short the skirt is at the back. Then I walk over to the bed and hold out my hand for him. He stands and takes it in his. “Ready?”
“Yeah. I reckon I am.”
When I step forward, though, he holds me back for a beat. “Hey, Jen? Whatever happens tonight, I want you to know that I’ve got you, OK? I’m right there with you. It’s your call from here.”
I’ve been dating new guys on and off for the last few months since Adam and I broke up. Getting plenty of attention on dating apps. I’ve never walked out the door feeling better about myself or more excited for the night to come than I do tonight.
The phone call comes just as we get into the rideshare car.
“Heading downtown?” says our driver.
“Yeah, that’s right.” Then I look down at the number and a little knot of worry twists in my stomach. I nudge Adam and show him the screen.
The car pulls away from the curb.
Astor. The dragon we were supposed to be meeting tonight.
“Gonna take it?” he asks.
In answer, I swipe to accept the call and lift the phone to my ear. “Hello?”
The voice on the other end is deep and masculine, with an edge to it I can only describe as smoky. “Good evening, Jen. I hope you’re well. I’m so sorry to have to do this, but I’m not going to be able to meet you tonight.”
“Oh.” The article I read today said lots of guys ghost, and I’d sort of been expecting this. It’s still pretty deflating to have it happen after we’ve already left the flat.
Astor is still talking. “I know you probably won’t believe me, but I never cancel on a date if I can help it. I put off calling because I was hoping I could arrange something, but I’m afraid I’m out of options. My babysitter is unwell and I’ve called around, but everyone I trust with my daughter is busy. So I’m afraid I can’t join you.”
His daughter? I guess if I have to get stood up, this feels like a pretty good reason. “That’s too bad. I was looking forward to meeting you.”
“Likewise. Listen, I won’t keep you, and I understand if you never want to contact me again. But if you’d like to reschedule, I’d love to meet you both. Think about it and let me know.”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
