by Bella Grant
After a quick text to Travis to let him know she’d be busy through the day and wouldn’t be able to chat much, she got started, flipping through what sounded like the most interesting case they’d had in a while.
TRAVIS: So now you’re the workaholic?
He added a winky face after his comment, and she smiled.
DIANA: Only from nine to five, so shut it!
TRAVIS: Dinner tonight?
DIANA: I actually made plans with Alyssa. Tomorrow?
TRAVIS: I will wile away the hours in mourning until I see your face again.
DIANA: Drama queen.
TRAVIS: We’ll chat this evening.
He added two heart emojis, so she sent him three, put her phone in her bag so she wouldn’t be tempted, and opened the top file again.
Travis frowned when he found himself with nothing to do that evening. He had planned on takeout, a movie, and some fun in the tub. He’d even bought a bunch of candles and a bath bomb that smelled like lavender he thought she’d like. Sighing, he glanced at his calendar and remembered he and Michael had a meeting with Doctors Smith and Cartwright at the building. Since he was alone for the evening, he might as well go over the last-minute items he usually saved for the two hours before the meeting.
So far, the renovations of the building were going as planned, and the construction would actually begin on Wednesday, which was why they were meeting the next day. He took another glance at the blueprints, the inspections, and all the paperwork. The meeting would be incredibly boring, but once the actual renovations started, he could begin his favorite part of this job: staffing and supplying.
He’d begun the supplying when the doctors had signed the contracts, though he had made a more comprehensive list since and still had plenty of items to purchase. Staffing, though, was his forte. He could find the perfect mix of people to keep an office running like a well-oiled machine. He understood an office needed many personality types. He always began with the office manager, who would run the day-to-day business for the doctors. And that person had to get along with both doctors, who were the heart of the office. This was usually a difficult find, but in the four years since he and Michael had started the business, he’d made one mistake with the office manager and had rectified it as soon as he realized the problem.
The man he’d hired for a doctor’s office in a tiny town north of New Orleans had been a respected member of that community, according to every reference he had called. But soon after the office opened, a nurse quit and filed a complaint about his behavior. One complaint hadn’t been a red flag, but within six months two office people quit and another nurse in a loud, very public scene in the waiting room. Travis had done some investigating and discovered the man had used fake references and was a high school drop-out with a history of run-ins with the cops.
After that colossal mistake, Travis and Michael had agreed to buy a program that allowed them to complete basic background checks on all their employees. They also made frequent visits to the newly opened offices for the first six months, ensuring the employees were comfortable enough with them to speak their minds if any problems arose.
As he sorted the files into the order he wished to read through them, his phone buzzed like an angry bee. He glanced down, saw his mother’s name, and pressed his lips together. He had told her he was seeing someone but not that the person was Diana. She always said as long as he was happy she would be happy with whomever he chose, but she resented Diana for the breakup of their marriage, even though she knew he had a part in it. He’d been avoiding lengthy calls with her lately, which made him feel guilty.
“Hey, Mom,” he answered, projecting happiness into his voice.
“Hi, baby. Why do you sound weird?” Ayana asked immediately, and he should have known better than to try to fool her.
“I’m working. What are you doing?”
“Working? You said you weren’t going to put in late nights anymore,” Ayana admonished quietly.
“First one in two weeks, Mom. And it’s only a little after five. Besides, I try not to, but every now and then it can’t be helped,” Travis told her. “Promise, I’m not slipping back into my old ways.”
“Well, that’s good to hear. I hope a certain young woman has to do with that?” she asked, hinting that she wanted some details.
“Yeah, a little,” he allowed, sitting back in his chair and grinning, deciding he’d let her squirm before he told her. He just hoped she didn’t become hostile. Ayana had loved Diana when they were together, and had the marriage not ended so badly, they probably would have remained friends.
“Oooh,” she squealed, and he could picture her sitting up. “What’s her name? When do I get to meet her? What does she do?”
Travis laughed loudly as his mother’s questions continued. “Calm down, Mom. I can’t answer even one question because there were so many I can’t remember what you asked.”
“You’re being cagey,” she said after a moment of silence. “Do I know this girl?”
Travis cleared his throat, suddenly nervous. “You do.”
“Uh huh, I heard that change in tone.” She was silent again, and then he heard her fingers snap. “You’re seeing Diana!”
“How do you know that?”
“You told me at the Tatas dinner you ran into her, and now you’re dating her!” Ayana exclaimed.
Well, shit, he thought. He’d completely forgotten he’d mentioned Diana to his mother. Nothing to do but admit it. “Okay, you got me. I’m seeing Diana again.”
Ayana hummed, her excitement dimmed once her conclusion was confirmed. “Oh, Travis. Is that such a good idea? I mean, she broke your heart.”
“And I broke hers.”
“Yes, you did,” Ayana agreed thoughtfully. “But seriously, is this a good idea?”
“Mom, Diana and I were so young when we married,” Travis justified. “We had some growing up to do, and we’ve done it. We’re very different now that we’re approaching thirty.”
“You are thirty,” his mother replied tonelessly.
“You know what I mean!” he exclaimed, shaking his head and chuckling. “It feels good being with her, Mom.”
“Well, baby, you know my feelings. If you’re happy, I’m happy,” Ayana said. “But if she hurts you again, I know exactly how my ancestors used to dispose of their enemies. Remember that.”
“And this is exactly why I won’t be bringing her by to see you anytime soon,” Travis said monotonously. “Didn’t you threaten her when we first started dating?”
“It wasn’t a threat, baby,” Ayana told him, her voice sugary sweet. “I was explaining the history of death in my culture. The Native Americans were incredibly violent people, especially my tribe.”
“Yeah, okay. And I reiterate, Diana and I won’t be coming by any time soon.”
Ayana hummed, and he wondered what his mother was up to. “That’s just fine,” she said happily. “When are you seeing her again?”
“Tomorrow, probably. She is having drinks with her friend tonight,” Travis told her offhandedly, then told himself the relaxing night at home would have to happen at Diana’s apartment in case his mother decided she’d pop over unannounced.
“I promise to behave if you’ll bring her over. Soon,” she added as a warning him. “And you know your father would love to see her. They were such good friends.”
Travis laughed as he nodded. “They always partnered when we played games. How that pair beat our exceptional brains more often than not still surprises the hell out of me.”
“And I even tried to cheat,” Ayana mused.
“Not very well.”
“They didn’t know.”
“Yes, they did, and they always blocked. That’s why you and I won’t be partners ever again.”
“I guess we won’t play games then, because I’ll kill your father if we’re partners,” Ayana announced.
“And he’d kill you. Gosh, I hope when I get married again, my wife and I love e
ach other as much as you and Dad do,” Travis joked.
“If you don’t threaten to kill your spouse occasionally, you don’t really love each other,” Ayana told him seriously.
“That’s rational, Mom. I gotta go.”
“All right, baby. I love you. And seriously, bring her around again. I was mad at her, but if you’ve forgiven her, I will.”
“Thanks, Mom. Love you, too.”
Travis hung up and felt a little better about Diana seeing his mother again. However, he had decided to treat their relationship like a brand-new one, and he would never introduce a woman to his parents after only two weeks of dating. His mother would have to wait a while longer, though Travis was certain Diana and he would make it this time. They were older, smarter, and over their problems. Yes, he worked late at least once a week or so, but when they’d been together, he was out four or five nights a week. Much improvement. And as far as he knew, Diana was completely over her addiction.
So they were different, more mature, and smarter about their habits. They would make it. He believed it with all his heart, and he planned to convince her. And what he was even more sure of was that he wouldn’t have to do much convincing.
Diana’s brain was melting out of her ears by the time five o’clock rolled around. She was exhausted and wanted to go home, run a bath, and watch some Netflix before going to bed at eight. “I’m a wild one,” she mumbled to herself as she opened the door to the bar Alyssa had chosen for happy hour. She couldn’t cancel on her best friend, partially because she didn’t want her to be any more irritable, and because she really wanted to talk to her about Travis.
She let her eyes pass over the bar, which was relatively small and only about half full. She didn’t see Alyssa, so she walked to the bar and hopped up on a stool. After shooting her a quick ‘I’m here’ text she lifted a hand to catch the bartender’s eye.
“Hi there,” he said, a charming grin on his dark face. His white teeth were a contrast to his skin, and his eyes were a paler brown than she would have expected. He was gleamingly bald and wore a tight tee over taut muscles. He was a mesmerizing specimen of a man, and his grin told her he knew it. “What can I get the pretty lady?”
Diana blushed at the compliment, something he probably said to every woman who sat down at his bar. “Um, I’ll have a vodka with cranberry, please.”
“Coming right up,” he said as he spun to get the vodka off the shelf behind him.
Diana glanced around the bar self-consciously. She didn’t really like being at a bar alone and hoped Alyssa would arrive quickly. She glanced at her phone, the screen clear because Alyssa hadn’t answered. If she’d gotten hung up with a client, she might be running late, but she could have shot her a quick text. She always had before. However, since she’d helped Diana get ready for her date with Travis, Alyssa had been snarky bordering on rude when Diana mentioned him.
After waiting twenty minutes, sipping slowly on her drink so she didn’t have to order a second, Diana was angry bordering on furious. The bartender had attempted to begin a conversation two times, but he was a good reader of people because when she snapped at him to bring her another drink, he took the hint, left her drink, and stayed at the other end of the bar. Diana felt a little bad about her rudeness. Poor guy was just doing his job, mostly. He was hitting on her a little as well, though, which she was not in the mood for.
When Alyssa sauntered in at a leisurely pace nearly thirty minutes late, Diana stared at her. “Where the hell have you been?”
Alyssa had the nerve to look surprised by her anger. “What do you mean? I told you 5:30.”
Diana rolled her eyes. “No. You said a little after five. I came straight here after work and have been sitting here being not-so-subtly hit on by the bartender.”
“I don’t know why you’re complaining,” Alyssa responded after glancing at the sexy bartender. “He’s hot.”
“That’s not the point and you know it. You couldn’t have texted me?”
“I was busy with a client,” Alyssa said airily. “It was thirty minutes. Let it go.”
Diana stared at her, so many harsh comments ready to fly out of her mouth. Alyssa raised her hand to get the bartender’s attention, and while she flirted mercilessly with the man, Diana sucked in several deep breaths to calm herself. Alyssa had always been completely selfish, thinking her time was more valuable than anyone else’s. She was single because she behaved as if everyone should let her have her way in everything. Diana had always glossed over this flaw because they’d been friends for so long.
Alyssa had nursed her through her broken heart, helped her with the gambling addiction, and told her mother to fuck off once when the woman was verbally attacking Diana. Because of all those things, Diana forgave her for her flaws.
“Could I have another, please?” Diana asked the bartender when there was a lull in his conversation with Alyssa.
“Sure.” His voice lacked the friendliness it had in it before, so she smiled at him. He smiled back and winked at Alyssa. “I’ll have your drinks in two seconds.”
Alyssa turned to Diana and looked in her eyes. “So you’ve calmed down?”
“Are you going to stop being late?”
Alyssa grinned and bumped Diana’s shoulder with hers. “Answer that question yourself.”
“Why am I friends with such a bitch?” Diana sighed.
“Because we can’t live without each other,” Alyssa stated simply. “So, what’s going on in Diana’s world?”
“Not much. What about you?”
“Well, remember the woman I told you about, Christy, whose hair I do that’s always covered in glitter?”
“Yes. We decided she had to be a stripper or a kindergarten teacher.”
The bartender returned with their drinks. “Would you pretty ladies like a menu? We have great bar food.”
“Sure,” Alyssa told him, reaching for her drink and stirring it. He handed them menus and winked again before walking away.
“You know, I’m beginning to wonder if that man has a tic,” Diana whispered, leaning close enough to Alyssa to smell the chemicals she used to dye hair.
Alyssa cackled as she opened the menu. “Want to share some wings and fries?”
“Of course I do. Why would you even ask?” They chuckled together as Alyssa set the menu aside. “So, tell me about Christy the Glitter Wearer. Stripper or teacher?”
“Neither! She’s an escort!” Alyssa hissed, her eyes wide.
Diana put her hand over her mouth in surprise. “Oh, my God! Do you mean like a prostitute?”
“That’s exactly what I mean!” Alyssa affirmed, nodding her head quickly.
“How do you know?”
“So she comes in today with strange marks on her wrists, and I asked her what happened. You know, standard stylist talk.”
“People always talk to their hair person. Always!” Diana agreed.
Alyssa laughed after taking a gulp of her drink. “Damn. That’s perfect. Anyway, she looked around to make sure no one was listening and told me the man who hired her the night before enjoyed bondage.”
“Bondage?” Diana whisper-shrieked. “Oh, my God!”
“Yeah! He tied her up and fucked her silly. She told me it was the first time a client has ever made her come,” Alyssa told her, leaning in closer.
“Really?” Diana asked, a little aroused by the idea. “I’ve never done that. Too scared.”
“Oh, but get this,” Alyssa attempted to continue. Both sat up straight when they realized the bartender was standing in front of them, grinning.
“Refills?” he asked, his smile lecherously sexy.
“Um…” Diana was so red her face burned. “Yes, please.”
“Yes, and we’d like some wings and fries to share,” Alyssa announced, trying to sound unmoved, but Diana could see the pink tint in her face.
“Coming right up,” he said quietly, his deep voice reverberating.
After he’d walked away, Alys
sa looked at Diana and waved her hand in front of her face. “I think I just came a little.”
Diana snorted and laughed loudly, her head tilted back. Alyssa laughed too, and they clinked their almost empty glasses together. “He is awfully sexy,” Diana agreed. “So, you said that wasn’t all?”
“Oh!” Alyssa exclaimed, laughing. “No, that wasn’t all. So after they were finished, he asked her to tie him up and fuck him again. But first, he wanted her to spank him.”
“What?” Diana asked, her eyes bulging. “I can’t even deal with this!”
“I told her I wasn’t drunk enough for her stories, and she just laughed. You wanna know how much she makes a month?”
“Um, yeah!”
“Depending, between three thousand and six thousand. And she doesn’t pay for any of her beauty treatments. I do her hair, eyebrows, and she has her nails done in my salon every two weeks. That’s almost three hundred every two weeks!”
“Who pays for that?” Diana wanted to know. They paused while the bartender set their drinks in front of them.
“I guess one of her clients. I didn’t ask,” Alyssa said, taking a drink of her cocktail. “I think I’m in the wrong profession.”
Diana laughed and shook her head. “Whatever! You couldn’t fuck for money.”
“Nah, probably not, but I am more than willing to spank someone for money,” Alyssa told her, giggling as she sipped her drink again.
“Maybe we should calm down on the drinks,” Diana commented with a smile.
“Nah. We won’t drink so much we can’t get home.”
They sipped their drinks in silence for a moment, each glancing around the bar. It had filled up considerably since Alyssa had arrived, and they were having to speak louder than they had been to hear each other. Still, Diana saw no one she knew, so she felt like she could confide in Alyssa.
“Can I tell you a secret?” she asked, smiling.
“Always.”
“Ladies, your dinner,” the bartender announced, placing two plates in front of them, one heaping with wings, the other with fries. He leaned down on the bar and stared into Diana’s eyes. “I’d love to hear your secret.”