Page 13 of Conceal

He said that he was a high-value man and asked her her body count.

Body count?

How many men she’s slept with.

I couldn’t stop my laughter if I tried. Oh my God, that’s funny. I didn’t think people actually asked that. Especially three minutes into a first date.

Tati’s eyes find mine, and her shock morphs back into a smile. Then, her smile turns a little wicked. A lot of people underestimate Tati’s intelligence and cleverness. She’s young and a tad naïve, but she’s got a sharp tongue and quick wit when she needs it.

She bats her eyelashes at him and says, “I’ve never had a man explain it to me that way before. What does that mean? ‘High value woman?’”

The server returns and presents a bottle of white wine for Maxim to examine. He gives it a twirl and sniff, and I catch Tati struggling not to roll her eyes. The server pours her a glass of the wine.

She prefers vodka.

Yet, she takes the offered glass and sips from it delicately, shooting a wink my way. I’m sure her date is “educating” her on what makes someone “high value”.

At least she’s having fun tonight. She already knows this man doesn’t have a chance at a second date, so she’s playing with him.

Her smirk turns into an exaggerated, sympathetic pout. “It must be exhausting carrying all the masculine burden of a relationship.”

Roman relaxes. She’s toying with him, he signs.

And he doesn’t even know it, I sign back.

“Just so I’m clear, when women are with a high value, masculine man, she feels safe enough to submit completely and live in her ‘soft girl era’?”

I almost laugh again.

Maxim must go on a long explanation, because for the rest of the meal, Tati only smiles politely, nods, and feeds him platitudes as they eat their meals. He ordered a fish and a salad for her.

Prick.

For dessert, he orders a creme Brulé for himself and nothing for her. The audacity.

Can you believe him? She signs to me underneath the table. I know she’s not expecting a response because she doesn’t look over to me.

Then her polite smile vanishes and turns deadly. Whatever he’s said has crossed a line.

I look to Roman. He asked about you.

What about?

Roman’s slow to sign, but he’s deliberate.

That if she really expected to date a high-value man, he should be the only man in her life.

My stomach sours because I’ve had the exact same thoughts before. Not this prick, or anything about a high-value man, but about her future husband. Can she really fall in love with someone when she’s living with me? Could she really find a guy who would be okay with our friendship?

Am I keeping my best friend, the love of my life, from finding her own true love?

Chapter ten

Tatiana

Tonight has been exhausting. I’d clocked that this wasn’t the guy for me the second he ordered for me - the body count question solidified it - but now I’m murderous. What bothered me about the body count question was that if I admitted the truth- that I’m a virgin- he’d instantly see me as more valuable. And that’s disgusting.

A woman’s value is in her intelligence, love, and support. Not how many men were inside her before you. If anything, that shows that men like Maxim are afraid of a woman who is experienced and owns her own sexuality because he’s probably lacking.