My email pings and I pick up my phone, smiling when I see the name.

From: Mr. Masters

To: Miss Brielle

Miss Brielle

It seems that there was a privacy breach in the master bedroom last night. As one of my employees, I would like to give you the opportunity to explain your behavior.

Yours Sincerely,

Mr. Masters.

What the hell do I say to that?

I put my hand over my mouth as I stare out the window and think. Okay, I’m just going to take the personal versus business line of thinking.

I shrug, hit reply, and smirk as I begin to type.

From: Miss Brielle

To: Mr. Masters

Mr. Masters,

I apologize for my alter ego, Bree, and her misdemeanour. She wasn’t working at the time and I haven’t spoken to her about the incident you’re referring to. She is somewhat of a private person, ensuring she keeps her work and personal life separated at all times. If you would like to speak to her in regard to said incident, I would advise you ask Julian to contact her on this email during her personal time.

Yours Sincerely,

Miss Brielle.

I hit send and hold my breath, rolling my fingers on the table as I wait for a reply. Finally, after five minutes, my email notification pings.

From: Julian

To: Bree

My eyes widen when I see the use of our first names, and I swallow the lump in my throat.

Dear Bree,

I understand that you like to keep your professional and personal life separate, as do Mr. Masters and I. Please assure both of us that, moving forward, your voyeuristic tendencies will have no detrimental effect on your future employment. Mr. Masters does not wish to discuss this subject with you at your place of employment at any time in the future. I, however, am extremely intrigued by your thoughts.

Looking forward to your prompt reply.

Yours Sincerely,

Julian.

I smile and I look around the café to see if anyone can see me sitting here playing this silly game before I eventually reply.

From: Bree

To: Julian

Dear Julian,

Please ensure Mr. Masters that I have no intention of telling Miss Brielle the details of my unexpected visit with you last night. What happened between us will stay private. What I do in my personal time is kept completely separate from my professional life and I would like to keep it that way. I would perhaps need to investigate this situation further before I can offer my honest opinion, though.

Yours Sincerely,

Bree

I close my eyes and hit send. Oh my fucking god.

I put my hands over my face.

I wait for a reply, and I wait some more, but it doesn’t come. I glance at my watch. Half an hour goes by and my stomach is churning so hard. I order another cup of coffee because I simply can’t go home when I’m this nervous.

Why did I say that?

He thinks I’m coming on to him.

Have I misread everything?

My email finally pings, and I scramble to read it.

From: Julian

To: Bree

Dear Bree,

Your offer is most tempting.

However, I cannot allow the ‘situation' to take place in Mr. Masters place of residence ever again. Mr. Masters takes pride in providing a safe working environment for all his employees.

Any further investigation to determine a solid opinion on the matter would have to take place off site.

Yours Sincerely,

Julian.

I pack up my bag and leave the coffee shop quickly. I’m going to have to think of a reply on this one, and also think about what I’m actually doing here. I should call Emerson to see what she thinks.

No.

I’m not telling her about this. She’ll just try and talk me out of it and I’m not in the mood.

I glance back to the café. Oh shit, I forgot to wait for my second coffee to arrive. I sit in the car and stare at my phone for a moment.

What do I write?

Okay. Let’s type.

From: Bree

To: Julian

Julian,

I would be willing to accommodate your off site request.

Forward me the details of the meeting.

Yours Sincerely,

Bree

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.