Page 54 of Pure Recklessness

‘Why d’you say that, Ellie?’ Dana asked.

‘Because once I started, I couldn’t stop! I used everything in the bag. Multiple times.’

‘Wonderful!’ Joe clapped his hands like an excited dolphin. ‘No wonder you’re looking so much better. Now you’ve tried the toys, you need to find some real cock to satisfy you.’

My brows shot up and I choked on my cocktail.

‘Yeah! Get on Sated’s dating app!’ Dana added. ‘We can create a profile now if you like?’

‘Thanks, but I’m fine.’

‘I should get back on that.’ Joe sighed. ‘But I’ve got a load of stuff to prepare for the Chilli Awards, so I need to focus.’

‘What are the Chilli Awards?’ I tilted my head with curiosity. ‘Clearly it’s an award ceremony, but for what?’

‘It celebrates spicy books. There are different categories for example, best sex scene, best chemistry, sexiest MMC, that kind of thing. Several Sated authors have been nominated.’

‘It’s super glam,’ Dana said. ‘You should totally come!’

‘When is it?’ I asked.

‘In just under four weeks,’ Joe said.

‘Hmm.’ I sighed. ‘That’s after my presentation. I’m not sure if I’ll still be here. All depends how it goes.’

‘Now that you’ve got some inspiration, I’m sure you’ll nail it!’ Dana said supportively. ‘Joe, can you wangle a ticket for Ellie?’

‘Leave it with me, hon, and I’ll see what I can do.’

‘Wow, thanks!’ I gushed. ‘You said it’s fancy?’

‘Yeah,’ Dana said. ‘Black tie.’

‘Oh.’ My shoulders slumped. ‘Even if I’m allowed to keep working here and you can get me a ticket, I wouldn’t have anything to wear.’

‘Ah, yes.’ Joe scanned me from head to toe with a disapproving look. ‘This would be the perfect opportunity to sort out your clothing situation.’

‘Oooh!’ Dana’s eyes brightened with excitement. ‘Shall we Andi-fy her?’

‘Andi-fy?’ My face crumpled with confusion.

‘Yeah!’ Dana confirmed. ‘Give you a glow-up. Like Andi in The Devil Wears Prada.’

My frown deepened.

‘Please tell me you’ve watched The Devil Wears Prada,’ Joe said.

‘Er… no…?’ I lowered my voice. ‘Is it a horror? Or vampire film?’

Joe’s jaw dropped and Dana gasped so loudly I swear everyone on the rooftop heard.

‘What?’ I frowned. ‘If there’s a devil, it must be scary.’

‘Dear God.’ Joe shook his head. ‘That film is over twenty years old! You must’ve seen it!’

‘If it’s over twenty years old, I would’ve been six when it came out, which is way too young to be watching horror films. And we didn’t have a TV. Well, we did before but then…’ My voice trailed off and my stomach tightened.

I barely knew Dana and Joe, so it was way too soon to tell them that my parents got rid of the TV because they found watching the news and even TV shows and films too triggering after what happened.