Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 26894 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26894 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
I feel ashamed suddenly.
“Well, I’m dating Ronald, so it is what it is,” I mumble. Josie takes pity on me, and leans down before speaking in a hushed voice.
“Listen, it’s fine girlfriend. You date whomever you like. But there’s a secret to this, right? Let me guess: Ronald’s a beast in bed, isn’t he?”
I jerk my head up and stare at her with wide eyes. “What?”
My pretty friend smirks. “It’s the only explanation, girlfriend, because why else would you be with him? He must be huge right? And he knows how to wield that tool?”
I start laughing because again, dating in NYC is so ridiculous.
“Ronald’s pretty good,” I admit. “I’m not sure I’d call him a beast, but he’s okay between the sheets.” But then, our date last night comes flooding into my mind and I frown. Josie shoots me a look.
“Just okay? Are you serious?”
I sigh.
“Well, yeah. I mean, I know I should be grateful to be with Ronald, it’s just that …”
Josie pins me with another stare.
“Out with it, girlfriend. What is it? He didn’t want to use protection? He had a case of ED?”
I wave my hands and laugh.
“No, no, it’s just that last night Ronald talked me into doing something I’m not used to, and now I’m kind of regretting it.”
A sly smile crosses Josie’s face and she leans in even closer.
“Oooh, this sounds promising. Did he tie you up? Spank you a few times? This sounds good,” she says, rubbing her hands together.
I stare at her.
“What?” I shake my head. “No no, nothing like that.” Biting my lip, I take a moment to work up the nerve to admit what happened. “I let Ronald talk me into taking a few naked photos. I don’t even know why he wanted to do it, but he begged and pleaded, and finally I said yes. I don’t know, should I have? Ugh, my gut is telling me no.”
Josie gasps with outrage, her eyes going big.
“What a bastard! I can’t believe he forced you to take explicit pictures! That is so wrong! I knew this guy was a bastard.”
I wave my hands in front of my face quickly.
“No no no! It wasn’t like that. Ronald didn’t force me at all. I agreed to it, I’m just having second thoughts in the bright light of day.”
Josie crosses her arms and squints her eyes at me.
“Are you sure you aren’t just trying to cover for him? Because if he pressured you, that’s forcing, you know.”
I shake my head, my brown curls bouncing emphatically.
“I promise, he didn’t force me. I agreed to take the snaps. But now that I’ve had more time to think about it, I’m not so sure it was a smart thing to do. I mean, it sounds like a bad idea now. I’m sensitive enough as is about my weight, so to have those photos on his phone …”
Josie puts her hand on mine and gives it a reassuring squeeze.
“Oh, is that all? Don’t worry, girlfriend. Ronald might not be my favorite, but you guys have been dating a while now, and I’m sure if you just tell him how you feel and ask him to delete the photos, he will.”
I pause.
“You think so?”
She nods.
“Oh yeah. I was afraid you thought he was going to sell them or post them on-line or something. But if it’s just your body insecurities cropping up, just ask Ronald to delete. It’s no big deal.”
I take a big breath. “You’re right. I’ll talk to him after work, and it is my body insecurities getting to me, but I’m working on it, I swear.”
Josie hops off my desk and fixes her skirt.
“Yeah, but I kind of don’t get it, Leslie. You’re beautiful, girl! You don’t need to worry about a thing when it comes to looks!”
I smile, feeling better already.
“Thanks Josie. I really appreciate it.”
She tosses her hair over one shoulder before sauntering away.
“And if you need to chat, I’m always here, a mere twenty feet away in my cubicle. But we better get back to work because I’d hate for someone to think we’re slackers like your boyfriend.” She winks and we both laugh. “Just kidding … not.”
I giggle as my buddy disappears because Josie’s right. It’s just my brain getting ahead of me, and I need to clamp down on my anxieties because Ronald would never betray me with those naughty pics. My boyfriend may be immature and selfish, but he’s a good guy, deep down at least.
Meanwhile, I turn back to my desk and stare at my computer monitor with determination. This work isn’t going to get down on its own, and now, it’s time to focus and move forward.
2
Malcolm
“It needs to be sexier,” I command. “I’d like to see a few more ideas for the artwork that do more to highlight the product. The client is selling energy drinks, and not sleeping pills. Get the new proofs to me by the end of today.”