mom?”
I hesitated for a second. “No. She was my nanny…Now she’s head housekeeper.”
“She’s been with you since you were a kid, huh?”
“Yeah. See, I always wished that she was my real mother when I was five, especially when my mother decided to dress me down. Elise was always good for a shoulder to cry on and a big hug to chase the tears away. She’s really special.”
“Mine, too. Her name was Nelly. Mama let her go right after I left for college. I still can’t believe after eighteen years, she let her go.” Her brown eyes fill with regret and quiet resentment. “I guess when your mom’s a bitch, calculating and cold comes easy.” She stares ahead as we walk.
“I guess so.” I sigh. “Knowing Elise, she’ll send everything anyway, but if you think I’ll need them, why not have two?” I chuckle.
As we enter Saks, Sally pulls me over to the counter, searching for collars, spiked chokers, and interesting cuffs and bracelets. “Here, try this one on.” She selects a spiked gold and black bracelet. She unfastens it and I turn my wrist so she can clasp it. “Playing a little rough?” She winks.
The angry red marks from the belt are fully displayed on my wrist. Blushing, I try to cover, “Oh, I got that from one of my leather cuffs.”
“Whatever, Amber. Do you think you are the only one who likes a bit more in the bedroom than straight missionary? Some of the things I’ve seen would curl your hair.” She laughs. “What you like to do is no one’s business. I thought you didn’t give a crap what people thought.”
“I don’t. I guess I’m gun shy. My mom beat it into my head that discretion is a must in our family. My wild side is…well, private,” I say, looking away with a shy smile.
“Do you think you are hiding anything? All someone has to do is watch you eat or drink coffee, Amber. You look like you’re practically having an orgasm.” She giggles. “Darlin’, I hate to break it to you, but you positively ooze sexuality. Listen to the stuff that comes out of your mouth. Everything is a flirt or has some hidden sexual meaning.” She huffs. “From that first night, I was surprised you could keep it in your pants. I’ve seen horny and that ain’t it. More like hormones on speed. You obviously enjoy fucking. Don’t let anyone make you feel ashamed about that.”
I smile. “You said ‘fuck’ again.”
“Your mom’s right,” arching her eyebrow, she says with a sneer, “and believe me, I hate saying that. With all the freaky shit ending up on the internet, it is important to be discrete. You don’t need a sex tape of you going viral. That stuff never goes away.” Her smile fades, and she grips my hand. “But, this is me. You can’t shock me. AND, you can trust me.”
“Ok,” I say. I wonder if that’s true…if I can trust her.
Spying another trinket, she is off and running for the next thing for me to try on.
Trailing behind her, I say, “I need a coffee.”
“Starbucks at the end of the hall.” She points, “I could use one, too. Here’s a salesperson.” She hands over a handful of bracelets and necklaces to the sales woman, saying, “She’ll take these.”
I hand her my credit card and she returns with the charge slip. She smiles, thanks me, and hands me the black bag.
We walk to the Starbucks and I gaze over the menu, trying to decide which concoction I want today. We order and take our coffees to a free table. Taking a sip of my coffee, I groan, “Sweet nectar of the Gods” in delight.
“You sure do love your coffee.” Sally laughs blowing into the hole in the lid.
“Yeah, I do.” I giggle, happy as the caffeine hits my system. Taking another glorious sip, I say, “You should major in fashion or something. You seem to love everything about or to do with clothes. You have a real talent for it.”
“Thanks, Amber.” Her quiet smile contradicts her sad eyes.
“What?” Her reaction takes me by surprise.
“My parents wouldn’t approve. They want me to get a degree that puts me in rooms with the right people…like public relations or marketing. My dad needs me to marry someone who can either provide a merger possibility or help the family business. “
“What’s the family business?”
“My dad owns an IT Logistics company. They do a lot of work for the Department of Defense.