Page 24 of The Secret Stalker
“It’s ok, Sophie, I know what you meant,” replies Tye softly. This guy couldn’t get any sweeter. Just then we both look up to see Casey walking into the cafe with the biggest shit-eating grin I’ve ever seen on his smug face. I know exactly what he’s going to say as I say goodbye to Tye and join him behind the register.
“Enjoy your morning with your number one favourite customer?” he practically sings the question.
“Actually I did, very much,” I say as I fold my arms and dare him to say another word. He reads me and changes the subject. We start working together and I don’t see Tye slip out when he’s finished his coffee. A little twinge of sadness twists in my stomach that he didn’t say goodbye, but then I pull myself together, I am not twelve anymore. Just six more hours and maybe I’ll be meeting Mack in person.Or is it going to be another of his friends?I muse.
FIFTEEN
Sophie
After my shift ends, I go straight home and make myself some lunch, freshen up and put on a soft, short-sleeve white shirt with a pretty curved collar, paired with a fluffy pink cardigan and fitted cropped trousers. I reapply my makeup and spritz on some Coco Chanel. I tug a brush down my long, auburn hair and apply a clear lipgloss over my lipstick. It’s time to meet Mack or another one of his friends. I take the lift and Zee is there waiting parked outside for me as usual. I pull open the car door and climb in, “Hey Zee,” I say brightly. “How are you?”
“Well Sophie, but not as well as you look,” he replies grinning wildly.
“That obvious?” I ask incredulously.
“That obvious,” he confirms. He then turns his attention back ahead as I lift the mask to tie it around my head. Zee never pulls away without me first putting on the ‘mystery mask’ as I like to call it. Heaven forbid I find out whichway we turn at the end of my street. It’s not like I can’t feel it, but then I always get completely lost when I’ve tried to pay attention.
“This because of your online guy?” asks Zee.
“Yes, but also, that client I met on Tuesday, he’s been on my mind too. So much has happened this week, everything completely out of the ordinary, so much so, it’s setting me off in a spin. For example, I don’t know if I’m going to meet Mack in this job or someone else he’s setting me up with. Which is all kinds of weird. A real head fuck but in the best possible way,” I shrug.
“This online guy, is he a club member himself do you think?”
“I don’t know, he knows a lot about the club so he must be a part of it in some way. If not a member, maybe an employee? Like I said, a real head fuck. I’ve gone over it a thousand times in my head, I just can’t work it out. I’m tired of thinking about that, we always talk about me, how are you going?”
“I’m having a pretty good week, I moved into a new apartment so that’s been a fun change.”
“Oh nice, somewhere local?”
“Yeah, not too far from here actually. It was long overdue.”
“Oh?”
“I have been living by myself for the past three years but now I have roommates. Bachelor life is not all it’s cracked up to be.”
“Really? All those pretty girls or boys to bring back. What will your friends say?”
“That is a pretty big assumption, Miss Sophie.”
“What? Come on Zee, you’re gorgeous. Please don’t tell me you have been living a life of celibacy but you drive me around to jobs to do all sorts of things I’m not prepared to go into.”
“It’s not like that for me. I want my intimacy to mean something. And this is in no way a judgement on you and your job, Ilove that you can work and still have that when going home to your boyfriend.”
“Have you ever considered being a playmate?” I ask seriously, looking in his direction despite not being able to see him.
“Oh god no, my father would never allow it.”
“Why? And how would he ever know?”
“He would be ok for me to be a member but not a playmate. And the reason he would know is because he is a member himself. I know, talk about keeping it in the family,” Zee trails off.
“Your dad is a member?” I say, surprised.
“Yeah,” he confirms, subdued.
“Oh god Zee, tell me you haven’t dropped me off at a job for your father?” I say feeling, for the first time, embarrassment both for him and me.
“Rest assured, I have never taken you to a job with my father.”
