I don’t mind her at all.
“Would you like the other half?” she offers.
“I wouldn’t dream of depriving you.”
“Right answer.” She grins, popping the rest in her mouth with a dramatic “mmm”.
I lift my glass, thoroughly charmed. “Cheers, Luna.”
“Cheers.”
We share another smile and sip.
“So tell me something about you,” I ask. “Any siblings?”
“Technically, no. But my cousin is like a sister to me. We grew up together. She lives in New York now, and I really miss her. She’s the yin to my yang.”
“How so?”
“Lot’s impulsive and creative. An artist. I’m structured. A planner. I like schedules and order.”
“I don’t know you… yet. But you don’t seem that rigid.”
“Socially, no. But otherwise, I am. Especially at work. What about you?”
“I’m a details guy. Planning is what I do. If A fails, I already have B, C, and D lined up.”
“I know what you mean. I even keep E in my back pocket.”
We clink our glasses in solidarity.
“So how did two planners end up in the unorthodox world of Secrets In The Dark?” I ask.
“I think it actually tracks.” She licks foam from the rim of her glass, and my dick jumps to attention. It’s not just the many sexless months—it’s her.
“If we plan everything else, why not this?” she adds lightly.
“True.” I drag my attention from her mouth back to her eyes. “Though I didn’t plan this, my brother did.”
“Your brother pimped you out.”
We both laugh. Then curiosity narrows her gaze. “What’s the story there?”
“I haven’t dated in a while. My life’s been… complicated.” Vague but accurate. “I’m in the process of starting a new job next week—one that comes with a morality clause. Neo decided I needed some ‘social’ time. Since this app was more discreet than most, he set it up as an early birthday gift.”
“Well, thank you, Neo.” She lowers her glass with a teasing smile. “When’s your birthday?”
“Sunday.”
“And what do you think of your present?”
“I wasn’t keen on it. Meeting up like this, cloak and dagger… it gave me pause. But that was then.”
“And now?” she asks, her eyes dipping briefly to the table before lifting to meet mine again.
“No regrets at all.”
A quiet breath slips from her as if in relief. “I knew from your photo you’d be attractive, but your overall vibe is a pleasant bonus.”
