together, but I’m already memorizing her expressions.
I’m not sure what that means, but I’m guessing it isn’t good.
“So anyway,” she continues. “Just wanted you to know that from here on out I’m going to be the most painless client ever. No more stressing or causing you stress or worrying about things that I shouldn’t be worrying about because obviously you know what you’re doing. And um…everything is cool.”
The line is quiet for a moment and I expect to hear her hang up, but instead she suddenly blurts out in a rush—
“And I’m so sorry about getting a little enthusiastic with the kissing practice. I’m mortified that I did the thing. With the leg. My leg.” She clears her throat. “And I’ve been sitting here thinking about it and wondering if you think I’m a crazy person who can’t follow the rules. But I am well aware of the rules and I am all about following them. It’s just been a while and the physical contact went to my head.”
She sucks in a breath. “But my head is in the game now and it will stay there. I hope we’re good and nothing will be weird. Because even though we just met in person, you’re a big part of my life and I don’t want to lose your friendship. Or my job. But probably your friendship even more. Because I don’t have many friends and you’re a good one. The end.”
She hangs up, leaving me standing holding the phone, feeling terrible for being a filthy minded fucker who barely put up a fight before giving in to the temptation to jerk off to fantasies of a fragile, vulnerable woman who is in no place to be fending off the inappropriate advances of her boss.
Yes, Penny is funny and sharp and one of those high energy people who makes you feel a little bit more alive just by being around her. But she’s also been suffering through some seriously heartbreaking drama with her mom and her ex, been deprived the company of the little sisters she loves, and from the sound of it, been living like an agoraphobic spinster instead of a gorgeous young woman who should be taking the angsty hipster men of Brooklyn by storm.
She needs friendship and support, not more drama. It doesn’t matter that she isn’t paying me. I’ve done pro bono work before and those women received the same high quality, professional treatment that the women who can afford to pay my retainer receive. Penny deserves no less.
Feeling properly ashamed of myself, I type in a quick text—
Just got your message. I was in the shower. Don’t worry about anything that happened tonight. We were both tired and weird things happen when you’re tired. Everything is going to be fine.
Get some rest and I’ll see you at ten a.m. tomorrow.
Oh, and bring some heels to try on with the dresses.
And just so you know, my friendship and this job are yours for as long as you want them. No matter what.
Sleep tight.
I wait for a response, keeping my phone close as I change into my softest pair of pajama pants and make a BLT with a side of carrot sticks and call it dinner. But my phone remains silent.
I finish my meal and settle down to watch Sports Center with a container of Salted Caramel Crack ice cream, but my team is already out of the playoffs, and as I watch the clock tick closer to ten, all I can think about is how much I want to hear Penny’s voice. But I don’t pick up the phone. I need to show her that I can honor her boundaries. And my own.
So when I slip into bed a few hours later, I don’t let my hand anywhere near my dick or my thoughts anywhere near Penny.
Both things are hard, way harder than they should be.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
I arrive at the Chelsea Market's Good Bakery a few minutes after ten, but Penny is nowhere to be seen. I do a lap of the repurposed industrial complex, once home to bakeries churning out Oreo cookies, but now housing dozens of gourmet shops and restaurants. I’m concerned that Penny might be waiting at one of the other bakeries, which are also good, though
I’m not sure what that means, but I’m guessing it isn’t good.
“So anyway,” she continues. “Just wanted you to know that from here on out I’m going to be the most painless client ever. No more stressing or causing you stress or worrying about things that I shouldn’t be worrying about because obviously you know what you’re doing. And um…everything is cool.”
The line is quiet for a moment and I expect to hear her hang up, but instead she suddenly blurts out in a rush—
“And I’m so sorry about getting a little enthusiastic with the kissing practice. I’m mortified that I did the thing. With the leg. My leg.” She clears her throat. “And I’ve been sitting here thinking about it and wondering if you think I’m a crazy person who can’t follow the rules. But I am well aware of the rules and I am all about following them. It’s just been a while and the physical contact went to my head.”
She sucks in a breath. “But my head is in the game now and it will stay there. I hope we’re good and nothing will be weird. Because even though we just met in person, you’re a big part of my life and I don’t want to lose your friendship. Or my job. But probably your friendship even more. Because I don’t have many friends and you’re a good one. The end.”
She hangs up, leaving me standing holding the phone, feeling terrible for being a filthy minded fucker who barely put up a fight before giving in to the temptation to jerk off to fantasies of a fragile, vulnerable woman who is in no place to be fending off the inappropriate advances of her boss.
Yes, Penny is funny and sharp and one of those high energy people who makes you feel a little bit more alive just by being around her. But she’s also been suffering through some seriously heartbreaking drama with her mom and her ex, been deprived the company of the little sisters she loves, and from the sound of it, been living like an agoraphobic spinster instead of a gorgeous young woman who should be taking the angsty hipster men of Brooklyn by storm.
She needs friendship and support, not more drama. It doesn’t matter that she isn’t paying me. I’ve done pro bono work before and those women received the same high quality, professional treatment that the women who can afford to pay my retainer receive. Penny deserves no less.
Feeling properly ashamed of myself, I type in a quick text—
Just got your message. I was in the shower. Don’t worry about anything that happened tonight. We were both tired and weird things happen when you’re tired. Everything is going to be fine.
Get some rest and I’ll see you at ten a.m. tomorrow.
Oh, and bring some heels to try on with the dresses.
And just so you know, my friendship and this job are yours for as long as you want them. No matter what.
Sleep tight.
I wait for a response, keeping my phone close as I change into my softest pair of pajama pants and make a BLT with a side of carrot sticks and call it dinner. But my phone remains silent.
I finish my meal and settle down to watch Sports Center with a container of Salted Caramel Crack ice cream, but my team is already out of the playoffs, and as I watch the clock tick closer to ten, all I can think about is how much I want to hear Penny’s voice. But I don’t pick up the phone. I need to show her that I can honor her boundaries. And my own.
So when I slip into bed a few hours later, I don’t let my hand anywhere near my dick or my thoughts anywhere near Penny.
Both things are hard, way harder than they should be.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
I arrive at the Chelsea Market's Good Bakery a few minutes after ten, but Penny is nowhere to be seen. I do a lap of the repurposed industrial complex, once home to bakeries churning out Oreo cookies, but now housing dozens of gourmet shops and restaurants. I’m concerned that Penny might be waiting at one of the other bakeries, which are also good, though
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