The Exposure

   “What a surprise, Meagan,” Abby said. “I didn’t know you knew Lynne.”

   “Yes, we knew each other before Lynne moved away.”

   Lynne settled herself on the leather couch, tucking her feet underneath her. She took a sip of wine. “I can’t believe you remember me,” she said. “Simon and I only went out to the club that one time.”

   “I remember you.” Meagan swirled the flavorful wine in her glass. “This is good, Abby.”

   “Thank you,” Abby said. “It’s my favorite.”

   Meagan turned back to face Lynne. “So why did you decide to move from New York?”

   “The law firm I was working at had a bad year. There were a lot of layoffs and I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. I’d always wanted to be a teacher and when I heard Abby and Nathaniel were looking for a nanny . . .” She shrugged. “I called Abby, met with her and Nathaniel. The next weekend, I met Elizabeth and Henry. They’re such great kids. And the rest is history.”

   “Do you still want to go back to school?” Meagan asked.

   “Yes, eventually, I think.”

   “But not until the kids are in school,” Abby said with a laugh.

   “This probably isn’t the right time,” Lynne said. “But I was thinking, if I could work on my teacher certificate some during the summers, I might be able to homeschool the kids.”

   “That is such a good idea.” Abby drummed her fingers on the couch. “I’ll check with Nathaniel, to see if we can set something up in order for you to get your certificate.”

   “Oh, thank you.”

   “Now for a harder question,” Meagan said.

   “Is this about Simon?” Lynne asked.

   “I was just wondering what happened. I rarely saw him with anybody before you, and I haven’t seen him at all the last couple of months.”

   Lynne hesitated before replying. “He said he didn’t think I wanted to do anything with the lifestyle. I tried telling him I was new and only needed time, but he took it the wrong way and broke up with me. I was so upset. It wasn’t that I didn’t want the lifestyle—it was just so much, so soon, and I needed to take a step back.” She sniffled. “I really miss him. Abby, does Nathaniel ever talk to him?”

   “I’m not sure. I don’t think Nathaniel talks to many people from our New York group.” Abby poured more wine. “He’s been so busy here in Delaware. Do you want me to ask him?”

   Lynne’s eyes grew wide. “Oh no.”

   “Are you sure?”

   “Yes.” But she didn’t seem sure.

   “Lynne?” Abby asked.

   “I thought I might look online. Join a BDSM chat group.”

   “Why would you do that?” Abby asked.

   “I thought it would be best to get some more information. Learn a little bit more. Then maybe at some point, I can approach Simon again.”

   “You liked him, didn’t you?” Meagan asked in a whisper.

   Meagan knew all too well what it was like to have the guy you were interested in walk away. She had a feeling the look she saw on Lynne’s face was the same she’d possessed after Luke had left her fifteen years ago. And she didn’t wish that on anyone.

   “Yes.” Lynne’s voice was so soft, Meagan barely heard her.

   “You know”—Abby had a wicked grin—“if you’d like to get together with the Delaware group, Nathaniel and I can arrange it.”

   Lynne looked a little unsure. “I don’t know. Let me think about it.”

   Abby seemed satisfied and looked over to Meagan. “So tell me about you and Luke.”

   Meagan sighed deeply. “I don’t even know where to start. We’re working on these photos for this book and it’s supposed to be work only, but it’s not. And I’m just scared, you know? We’ve been down this road before and it didn’t end well.”

   “But you’re both older now,” Abby said. “And you have a lot more experience. Not to mention, you both know what you want and what you don’t.”

   “True.” Meagan could see her point, but knew it wasn’t that easy. “I just don’t know how Luke feels.”

   “Have you thought about asking him?” Abby raised an eyebrow.

   “It’s not that easy.”

   “That’s because you make it harder than it should be.”

   “Says the woman who’s been married for ten thousand years.”

   Abby laughed. “Says the woman who has learned the hard way that things are easier when you talk about them.”

   “I know you’re right, but it just seems so hard. To expose yourself like that. To put yourself out there, and not know how it’ll be received.”

   “But surely it beats not knowing anything at all about how he feels.”

   “I guess so.” Meagan sighed.

   A silence followed, everyone thinking their own thoughts about what had just been said. Meagan thought maybe she should talk to Luke. After all, she would never know until she asked. Perhaps, maybe, Luke wanted more than a no-strings relationship, too.

   “Is anyone staying with Dena tonight?” Meagan finally asked, breaking the silence.

   “I think Julie and Sasha are staying with her,” Abby said.

   “That’s good. I would hate for her to be by herself.”

   “I seriously doubt Jeff would let that happen.”

   “How many weeks is she now?” Lynne asked.

   “Thirty something,” Abby replied. “I think they want her to at least be thirty-three or so before they induce labor.”