‘Careful, someone will steal you and shove you up a chimney.’
‘Are you two talking about lesbian porn in there?’
‘No!’ we yell simultaneously.
‘Good looking, solvent, owns his own business, according to that card.’ She pauses from counting off on her fingers, pointing at the business card that speaks of quality and expense.Tate Peters, Owner.‘Appears sane,’ she adds, continuing with her count, ‘and he likes you.’ Her smile is a touch indulgent in response to my scrunched expression. ‘At least you won’t have to travel far in your walk of shame?’
‘And if he turns out to be a terrible person, I’ll have to move or spend the rest of my life sneaking around to avoid him.’
‘For fuck’s sake,’ she grumbles.
‘That’s what I said,’ yells Hills.
‘Just go for a drink with the man before you decide he’s giving outFatal Attractionvibes. Unless there’s something orsomeonekeeping you from dating?’
I make a noncommittal noise, our conversation halting as Hillary appears rather dramatically. Framed by the connecting double doors, he throws his head back, his hands clasped at his chest.
‘Very Gloria Swanson,’ Paisley teases.
‘Don’t tell me,’ I add, ‘you’re ready for your close-up now.’
‘It’s the kind of close-up that worries me,’ she continues. ‘I’m not holding the pussy light up for him.’ And yes, that is an actual thing. For close-ups and I’m saying no more.
‘Are you two quite finished?’ he asks. Paisley and I look at each other. I nod, and she shrugs. ‘You’ve totally stolen my dramatic effect,’ he grumbles, one hand now on his cocked hip.
‘A do-over?’ I suggest. Hills shrugs before making a show of theatrically “centring himself”.
‘Ladies and straight people, as Fast Girl Media’s official cock-ficionado, I’d like to announce that your stars are here.’
‘Sasha’s arrived?’ I ask. She’s not the best time keeper, I’ve found, though she is a lovely girl. Really sweet.
‘She has. As has Nathan. He’s currently in the bathroom preparing. You know.’ Hills ducks his head an inch, the small movement speaking volumes. Not that it matters as he makes a swift rude gesture with his hand.
‘I’m surprised you haven’t offered to help him with that,’ Paisley says, picking up her hefty makeup bag.
‘Nathan doesn’t even go gay for pay,’ Hills pouts. ‘But it’s just as well I work on straight shoots, really. All those hetero pheromones flying around keep me in line and stop me from the pet shop dilemma.’
‘What’s a pet shop dilemma?’ she asks, slinging the bag over her arm.
‘Let’s just say my flatmates wouldn’t be impressed with me coming home with handfuls of irresistible and adorably cute merchandise.’ Paisley sniggers. ‘And boss lady here wouldn’t like me comingonthe cute merchandise.’
As the three of us make our way into the other room, I slap Hillary’s butt.
‘Sexual harassment in the workplace!’ he trills.
‘You should be so lucky.’
‘Don’t I know it, babe.’
