Emerson: Very funny. Knock it off.
Emerson: And thanks a million. You’re the best.
As I drop into the driver’s seat, I read his text and try, once again, to hate him. But it’s hard when he hurls compliments my way like their spears meant to break my cold, uncaring armor. And it’s working. Asshole.
The staff meeting is a bore. We have a floor crew now, managers and team leaders to keep the ship running tight, but Emerson insists that one of us sit in on them. It’s usually Garrett, but he sees his therapist on Tuesdays.
Mia is leading the conversation regarding the event this coming weekend, and I’m mindlessly scrolling through my phone. There’s really no reason for me to be here.
New message: Because I don’t need an app to tell me what I like.
I freeze, staring down at the new message in the notification bar at the top of my screen. It takes me far too long to make sense of it, finally realizing it’s from the Salacious app. Before it disappears, I click on the pop-up.
It’s Mr. Stupid—a name I’ve given him, regarding his lame one-liner profile. With a roll of my eyes, I type up my response.
And yet, you took the quiz.
To prove how wrong it is.
Oh yeah? How wrong is it?
I’m teasing him. I don’t know why I even bother. This guy is clearly not worth the time, but I’m bored. In the meeting, I mean.
Okay, let me guess. It told you you’re a bossy Dom right?
Technically it’s Domme, but yes.
So, that makes me a sub?
You tell me.
You’re the one who took the quiz.
Are you saying it’s wrong?
Fuck yes, it’s wrong.
How do you know?
Because I don’t want to be whipped by a woman in black leather.
Sounds like you haven’t tried it.
Is that what you do?
Ha. No. I’m as new to this as you are.
But I mean…is that what you want to do?
Leather is hot and uncomfortable.
And I’m not sure how well I could handle a whip.
So you think the quiz is bullshit too.
I don’t know.
Something in our answers must
have gotten us these results.
What if we’re just normal people who don’t have kinks?
People with kinks are normal.
You know what I mean.
What is normal though? Vanilla?
Yeah.
Did you get vanilla as one of your quiz results?
Because it was definitely an option.
You cornered me into that.
I giggle, and I notice that the room around me is quiet, so I look up to find Mia staring at me with the same look teachers give when they’re waiting for you to stop talking in class.
“Care to join us?”
I bite my lip. “Sorry, I’m paying attention.”
She’s fighting a smile as she glances down at my phone. “We’re basically done. Did you have anything to add?”
“Nope. If you guys need anything, you know how to reach me.”
With that, everyone starts to disperse, but I feel Mia watching me, and I already know she’s going to be harassing me for information. As predicted, she rushes to my side the moment the staff is mostly gone.