CHAPTER 2
Even if I had wanted to go to the Bowl opening, I couldn’t.
I mean… I could.
Phantom doesn’t penalize us for altering our schedule last minute. But I don’t want to.
Stepping in the booth means the potential for turning my brain off and that is something I am very much looking forward to after even such a brief interaction.
The women who greet me all make me smile and the longer I’m in the club, the more relaxed I am.
Poppy stops me for an impromptu dance—she just paid off her student loans—and Zelda tells me she just became an aunt.
Everyone is in a celebratory mood today.
I honestly love it here.
The path to my locker room is littered with joy.
It follows me into the quiet space, and when the door closes, I don’t stop smiling.
The bot beeps at me before I get the chance to start undressing.
“There is a message for you.”
My smile falters. Usually, messages come from Phantom or Dr. Love and there are instructions included.
But when the information appears on the screen, it’s not from either.
It’s from him.
An inquiry from the app.
Peach and a few of the others have told me they like the app.
It makes working from Earth possible and that it keeps their regulars happy, tipping, and coming back more frequently. But I hadn’t even considered…
Because they all live on Earth.
I could be texting him while we’re in the same corridor and not even know it.
I don’t know why that feels so much riskier than the booth.
Phantom and their bots monitor all of the chats.
They won’t let anything happen.
What could happen? They’re just words on a screen.
Two days ago, I didn’t know his name. Now, I’m considering a conversation that could reveal far more than I planned to… possibly without meaning to do it.
It could be the end of this…
Maybe that’s a good thing.
I accept the request and hold my breath, and a little ping comes from my personal comm.
The Phantom app gave him a tentacle icon, instead of a picture, and beside it… Sirin.
I don’t know why seeing his name makes me anxious.
The message is simple enough.
Sirin
Thank you for saying yes.
I stare at the words, not sure what to say back… You’re welcome?
That sounds too presumptuous.
“No problem” feels too casual…
Hi
It feels silly and far too simple, but I don’t know what else I could say to start this.
What are you up to?
I am at a boring work function, so your message came at the perfect time. I feel like a captive.
Yikes. I wouldn’t know what that’s like. My job is never boring.
No. I can’t imagine it ever is.
I don’t love the fact that I can’t tell his tone. After Agan’s derision, I’m a little too quick to lean toward it. But Sirin comes to see me so often. He asked for this connection… I don’t think he means it like that.
Why are you talking to me instead of work friends? Surely there’s someone there you can bitch about the boss with.
Unfortunately, I am the boss about whom they bitch.
Oh. Oops. Cringing, I tap out my next message.
Sorry.
Don’t be. It’s better, honestly. I don’t really have time for friends or relationships. Work keeps me unavailable. If no one expects me to have time for them, no one’s disappointed.
Which is why he comes to see me. No expectations, just orgasms.
But he’s talking to me now.
That sounds lonely. I’m glad you asked to chat.
Me too.
Sitting on the lounge chair that I usually don’t touch until after I’m done in the booth, I curl up on myself and tell the bot to cancel my spot for the day. I’d rather stay here and talk for a while.
He’s at work, so I won’t steer toward the salacious.
I think I’d go crazy if I didn’t have my best friend around and not just because she’s kept me from getting into so much trouble since I wound up here.
There’s a long pause.
I’m glad she keeps you sane and out of trouble. It must be nice to have someone you can confide in.
The fact that I haven’t told her about Phantoms makes my skin prickle.
It is.
And it’s time I tell her the truth.