Page 41 of Stroked
Chapter 22
Valentina
Amy and I spent the rest of the weekend together. We finally finished off our meal late Saturday night, and she went out for bagels and fruit early Sunday. She made me coffee and I didn’t have the heart to tell her it was hardly passable. We ordered in Chinese food and stayed in bed most of the day but did share a very nice shower together. At least, until the water ran cold.
It was amazing. Nobody around, no pressure to dress up, no uncomfortable small talk. We just had fun and enjoyed each other. It was the best parts of what many people in relationships did.
We agreed that weeknight sleepovers probably weren’t a good idea for now, so I went home Sunday night. I had a lot of work to do this week anyway and needed to buckle down on getting some gigs for my clients, so I would be on the phone a lot.
But after falling short with all the clubs I went to last week, I finally caved and called Lucy. She was very happy to hear from me and quickly scheduled both bands, one in two weeks and one the following weekend.
Lucy also gave me some contacts at her label to follow up with for my other client, and possibly the bands. She was definitely helpful and kind. Amy had a great friend.
Friends. The voice of my mother rang in my ears, telling me I needed more friends. I had some acquaintances, but over the years, I had never gotten close with anyone. The closest thing I had to a friend was the girl in college I fooled around with that was just having a good time. But we were never extremely close. At times, I wondered if she was only nice to me so I kept our little secret, although she didn’t seem the type to mind if anyone found out that sort of thing.
Before my siblings got married, we met for dinner frequently and spoke on the phone, but now they had new lives, and over time, the dinners and calls became fewer and far between.
All the connections I made through work were mostly men who were uninterested in being friends. And I learned early on not to attempt anyway. Even the so-called “friendly” ones always turned out expecting more after lengthy business dinners. I was a fan of men, but I would never mix business with pleasure. It was common knowledge in any line of work that would just get messy.
Except…did I just do that? I met Amy where Lucy worked and now had my clients going back there. But they needed gigs, even smaller ones.No, this was fine.I could be professional, and Amy knew work was important to me. Plus, we already discussed discretion should we find ourselves together at the club. Totally fine. She would be respectful.
After touching base with the bands and updating their calendars online, I made a few new promos for the shows and scheduled them to run on various social media platforms and added them to their websites. Once I created events on their social media, I made sure to send it to them so they could share and boost with their friends and circles for some immediate RSVP’s to encourage others to jump on board.
I was about to get up and refill my water and prepare some dinner for myself when my phone alerted me.
Amy: Hey, hope you had a nice Monday. Can’t stop thinking about you.
Me: It was busy, but I am better now. How was your day?
Amy: Slow but good. I got caught up on a lot of work. Headed to the club but wanted to check in. Have a great night. Dinner one night this week?
Me: Sure, tomorrow is busy but maybe Wednesday.
Amy: Great. I’ll be home by 6. Should we order in or did you want to make me something?
Me: Let me worry about that. Say hi to Lucy for me. Good night.
Amy: Good night, can’t wait to see you.
I was feeling tired before the phone chirped, but her messages had me awake and smiling. I picked up my cup, then realized I was out of water.
As I prepped and ate my dinner, I couldn’t stop smiling. I never had anyone text me to check in, much less tell me where they were going. Not that I expected to know her every move, but it was different to have someone to tell me such things. Nice. All the other women before mostly only texted me to confirm meetups, and maybe a quick message to say thanks afterwards.
It had been such a long day and I’d be tied to the computer the next day. After changing and climbing into bed, I turned on the T.V. to quiet my mind as I drifted off. As my mind wandered, looking for sleep, it found images of Amy. Reaching out next to me, I wished she was lying there, her soft skin warm against me.
I closed my eyes and pretended she was with me, that her hands were exploring me. Running my fingers into the wet folds of my center, I imagined my beauty was with me, sending me to ecstasy before I drifted to sleep.
Chapter 23
Amy
“So, basically, you didn’t talk, you just fooled around all weekend?”
I rolled my eyes at Lucy as I took a swig of Blue Moon. “We talked.Thenwe fooled around. Were you not listening?”
“But she told you she may never come out, notjustto her parents but to anyone. Can you really handle that?”
“Look, I get that she is hesitant because we’ve only been seeing each other for just over a week.”
