“I do not believe you. You were quiet all afternoon and still are. How are you quiet here—of all places?”
I shrugged.
The truth? I needed to tell her what happened with Duncan. Because I had no idea what to say, I didn't know where to begin.
“Can we just go sit somewhere and talk?” I asked.
“Sure. I'm getting you these.”
“No, Mo, don't?—”
“I insist. You've been lovely. I want you to have nice things. I love you. And I've missed you.”
“You will be back,” I laughed. “In a month.”
“And you will be gone. On a tour.”
“True,” I said. “But I will move in with you no matter where you go.”
She hugged me. “We will find a beautiful, bright place and be very happy old maids together.”
Old maids? Not if Duncan had it his way. Fuck! What was I doing?
Monique paid for our purchases, and we dropped off our bags at the hotel before visiting the lounge. We sat off to the side, drinking some sort of green gin cocktail. It was nice but I remained distracted.
“Tell me everything,” Monique said. “Does this have to do with...”
“D,” I responded. “Yes.”
She raised her eyebrows and sipped the drink, indicating I should continue.
“After I left you last night, I called him. And then I went over there. And... I fucked him.”
“For the first time?”
I nodded.
“And?”
“It was other-worldly. Fucking glorious.”
“Like angels singing?”
I giggled. “Definitely not that. I tied him up and we... well, he let me do whatever I wanted to him. It was the hottest thing I've ever done. And then after, we just played around until we like... hooked up again... but that was tender somehow.”
“Oh... no. You got feelings?”
“No. He does.”
“And he's the only one?”
I shrugged.
“Ella, be honest with me. Be honest with yourself, sweetheart. What did D say?”
“That he adored me and only wanted to spoil me. That he wanted me to stay with him. That he wanted... more.”
“And you are... what? Upset?”
