Mr. Masters (Mr. 1)

I start the car and drive home with the goofiest smile plastered on my face.

I can’t believe I actually I had the guts to write that. I have to talk to Emerson. No, I can’t let her know anything just yet. There isn’t really much to tell, and besides, I’m not in the mood for a lecture. I want to have frivolous fun, lecture free.

I pull the car into the carport and my email pings. I scramble through my handbag to retrieve it. I frown as I open it. It’s an invitation of some kind.

Julian Masters

Requests the company of

Bree Johnston

Occasion: Situation inspection.

Date: 28th May

Time: 8pm

Place: Scarfes Bar, Rosewood London

Dress code: Slutty

My mouth falls open at the last line.

Dress code slutty! What the fuck?

I burst out laughing. What do you wear when the dress code is slutty?

I go over the invitation again and again, until I register the date. Hang on… that’s tonight.

My phone rings, an unknown number appearing on the screen.

I answer, “Hello.”

"Oh, hello, darling. It's me, Frances."

Julian’s mother. “Hello.” I smile.

“Julian isn’t able to get home from his conference tonight, he just called me. I will come and pick up the children at 6:00 p.m. and they can sleep at my house, if that’s okay?”

“No, you don’t have to,” I reply without thinking.

“No, it’s fine. I know you have plans tonight.”

I bite my bottom lip to stifle my smile. That’s right. I’m inspecting the situation. Visions of Julian wanking flash through my mind, and I smile to myself.

Is this really happening?

“That would be great, thank you,” I tell her.

“See you then, darling.”

“Thanks.” I hang up and get back into the car with renewed purpose.

I’ve got to get some laser, a pedicure, and some serious slut wear.

The cab pulls up in the circular parking bay of the ritzy Rosewood hotel. My heart is hammering so hard in my chest, I have no idea how I’m not in the hospital already. As soon as the children got picked up, I started running around in a mad flap to get ready.

I glance down at myself and shake my head. I’m wearing a large trench coat and looking super serious to the outside world, but underneath is a completely different story.