Page 59 of Masters of Control

Sam took it as a good sign that Morgan realized there was something very wrong with Amy’s fiancé saying something to her about her weight, but she also knew on a deeper level, Morgan didn’t see it as anything unusual. “We’re thinking about doing a pole dancing class. I think it’ll be fun if either of you wants to join us.”

Sam had always wanted to do pole dancing, but she already knew what her answer had to be.

“I can’t,” she replied wistfully. “I’m too busy with work and Q. Plus, I asked Patrick for more work at Marquis and Stronghold.”

“Oh, that’s so cool that you’re getting more involved in the clubs,” Noelle said, lighting up. “Maybe I should do that.”

“You get a discount on your membership if you do it regularly,” Morgan told her. “It’s a lot of fun and a good way to get to know people.”

“I could definitely use a discount. It’s really adding up fast.” Noelle grinned. “And I would love to meet more people. I don’t think I’m really connecting with Master Connor.” Her smile slipped a little. “He’s friends with Master Law, so I’m sure he’s heard all sorts of things about me from Iris. I don’t think we’re ever going to be friends again.”

“I’m sure it’s not that,” Sam said, reaching over to pat Noelle’s hand sympathetically. “Master Connor is really shy. I don’t think he connects much with anyone.”

“Maybe, but I feel like he doesn’t like me. I wouldn’t be surprised if Iris and Master Law made sure of it.”

“I don’t think they’d do that,” Sam said automatically, shaking her head. It didn’t even occur to her that Noelle might react badly until the other woman sat up straight, glaring at her.

“Why? Because you’re dating Q, who’s friends with them? So, now you’re on her side, too?”

“What? No!” Sam stared across the table at the other woman while Morgan’s head whipped back and forth between them, her expression confused and wary. “There are no sides. You’re my friend. I saw her at Friendsgiving last month, and she was perfectly nice—she knows we’re friends, and she didn’t say one thing about you all night.”

“Oh.” Some of the anger in Noelle’s expression cleared. “Well, that’s good to know, but that doesn’t mean she’s not saying it when you’re not around. Since she knows you’re my friend, she probably wouldn’t say anything in front of you.”

That hadn’t been the vibe Sam had gotten from Iris at all, but she didn’t think further defense would make Noelle feel any better. The only person who had said anything at all about Noelle had been Q, and she sure as hell wouldn’t say that. Not after seeing how Noelle reacted to being told Iris ‘had said nothing about her.’

She didn’t want to put her friend and her boyfriend on the outs with her in the middle. Q hadn’t said anything that bad, really, but this was not the time to ask Noelle if there was any truth that she’d canceled the lease without telling Iris.

“That’s true,” Sam agreed, mostly to keep the peace but also because it was true that Iris could be talking about Noelle when Sam wasn’t within earshot, knowing Noelle and Sam were friends. She didn’t think Iris would, but she didn’t actually know her that well and couldn’t deny it was a possibility.

She wouldn’t deny it, even if she was one hundred percent certain, not with how upset Noelle had gotten over thinking Sam was siding with Iris against her.

“Sorry, I know I’m being overly defensive, it’s just… literally anything to do with Iris gets under my skin. I know I need to stop.” Noelle reached up to run her fingers through her hair, an aggrieved expression on her face. “I just… I don’t want to lose you two, you know?”

Sam and Morgan jumped to reassure her that they weren’t going anywhere. Guilt seethed under Sam’s skin. She probably shouldn’t have said anything or defended Iris. She hadn’t been thinking. If she hadn’t said anything, the moment would have passed, and they’d have had an entirely different conversation.

Next time, she’d know.

“Don’t you two need to get going?” Morgan asked after they had settled Noelle down. Glancing at the clock, Sam looked up and cursed, jumping to her feet.

“Yeah, let me just put these things away.” She looked at Noelle. “You can go on ahead if you want, so you’re not late.”

“Aw, thank you. That’s okay, though, I’ll help clean up. If one of us is late, we’ll both be late.” Noelle beamed at her, all traces of her previous upset totally dissipated.

Sam smiled back.

She was lucky to have such good friends. Why did her personal life have to finally start coming together when her professional life might be best served by moving to Ohio?

Q

“Okay, what’s going on with you?”

“Hmm?” Sam looked up from where she’d been staring into space. They were on his couch, and he’d been paying attention to the television, but she hadn’t. Ever since Monday, she’d been a little distant, though they’d had a very nice scene in the dungeon room during class. Now they had a few weeks off for the upcoming holidays, and he was looking forward to taking her to Marquis for an overnight as a Christmas present.

Shit.

He hoped she wasn’t worrying about presents or anything. He knew she was still having an issue with money, which was why he’d talked to Patrick about covering her membership. Patrick had been happy to do so and even promised not to tell Sam that Q was covering the part of her fees her work shifts didn’t.

Patrick also warned Q that he would throw Q under the bus in a heartbeat if she found out and was upset that Q was paying part of her membership fees. But he understood Q wanting to and why he didn’t want to tell Sam.