Less Than Nothing

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

"What?" Grace gasps. "I'm gonna need you to repeat that."

"Please don't make me." I hide my face in my palms.

"Alexandra Maria Monet," she admonishes. "I can't believe you. I can't believe you had sex with  your bosses nephew!" I can't tell whether she's proud of me, or ashamed. Knowing Grace, it's probably the first.

"Believe me, I wasn't expecting to. It just kind of happened." I clutch the phone closer to my ear.

"So if I understand correctly, you—a girl who has never even hooked up before, is now in a casual, sexual relationship with a guy you haven't even known for a month? And he is currently on his way to pick you up to meet his co-workers?" I picture her lips curled, and eyes wide.

"God Alex, you're thriving!"

"Thriving isn't exactly the word I'd use. But honestly, I'm very satisfied with our arrangement."

"I'm surprised you even let him touch you. You've been anti-men for a while now."

"I'm not anti-men. Just, with everything that's happened to me, I'm way too self preserving to give myself to another person. And it's so easy with Ryan, since we expect nothing of each other."

I've never seen myself as a no-strings-attached kind of girl. I've always come with lots of strings. Many many strings. I expected this thing with Ryan to feel at least slightly uncomfortable, but it hasn't.

Of course I think about him, but not to an alarming extent. I don't check on him. He doesn't check on me. We haven't spoken since that night at my place. All he did was text me this morning to remind me of the get together with his coworkers and that he'll be picking me up at 10.

"I see." She says. "I also saw the photos of him you sent and all I have to say is damn."

I chuckle.

"I know. He's quite the looker. Great in bed too. I'd say this is a win for everyone."

"I hope so. Just, be careful Alex."

"I am. I'm on birth control."

"That's not what I meant." She changes to a slightly more cautious tone.

"You don't know this guy. And you've never done anything like this before." Grace murmurs. "I obviously trust your judgment, but just be careful."

Grace has always been protective over me, and that's what I love most about her.

"I love you Grace. I will."

"I love you more. And I'm letting you know right now, if that man so much as looks at you wrong, I'm flying to New York and kicking his ass."

"Then I hope that happens soon, because I miss you. Please come to New York." I plead. "Please."

She laughs.

"I will as soon as I can. Promise." My heart melts at the thought of her walking into my apartment for the first time. And seeing her face...her smile. It's been too long.

"Okay." I reply softly. "I'll text you later, I'm meeting Ryan now."

We say our goodbyes, and hang up.

Drawing a long breath inwards, I spring off the couch and walk towards the mirror near my front door. This being my first actual night out in the city, I knew I needed to look decent. Pairing a black corset top, with flare vegan leather pants and my brand new Loubitins, I'm quite satisfied with my appearance. My hair is in loose curls down my back, while my face is made up into a nighttime glam.