We head to the table I had declared my territory earlier.

"So, how is Smutty? Great name, by the way," she grins, taking a seat on the sofa. I follow suit and immediately regret my decision. The sofa is so soft that it feels like it’s swallowing me up. Getting up with any kind of dignity will be a miracle.

"Living his best life. He loves that he now gets double attention from me and Ben, my... friend, bending to his will," I snort.

"They are little dictators, aren't they? I have a tabby one. Bella knows what she wants and she knows I'll give it to her." She giggles.

“And yet we love them,” I sigh and we both nod in agreement.

“Sorry we’re late,” Miranda interrupts us as she drops into one of the chairs. Bea waves from the counter where she is ordering their coffees.

“No problem. Miranda, this is Bridget,” I introduce them.

“Bri, please,” my new friend corrects me. Yes, I think she’s a new friend. Sometimes you meet someone and you just click.

We chitchat on how Bri and I met until Bea joins us.

“So, you and Ben snogging at Miranda’s wedding was a surprise. Are you dating?” Bea gets straight to the point.

“Friend, huh?” Bri giggles. I can feel my cheeks heat up.

“We’re not ‘dating’ dating.” Even I don’t know what that means, but I can’t really tell them that he’s just introducing me to my submissive side. And then there’s the date he’s taking me on tomorrow. So, maybe we are dating. Oh fuck! We are DATING.

“No? So, what are you? I can’t believe Ben is into that kinky stuff. Is he forcing you to do any of that shit?” Bea asks, and for a moment I think she’s genuinely concerned for me. But of course, she can’t help herself and keeps talking. “I mean, he told you he thinks you are ug… not attractive, so it can’t be that.”

“Bea!” Miranda exclaims and I shift uncomfortably in my chair.

“Well, it’s true. He was such an arse back then. I’m not sure why your husband is still friends with him.” Bea stares Miranda down before taking another sip.

“People change,” I try to interject causing Bea to roll her eyes.

“I know it’s none of my business, but what exactly happened?” Bri asks.

“She and Ben dated twenty years ago. She overheard him telling people that he was only with her until someone better came along,” Bea says casually, but it almost sounds like she is enjoying it.

“And now he hit her up on some kinky BDSM app and is dating her.” She finishes it.

"It's not that simple," I mutter.

"What did I miss, Amelia? I'm just a bit worried about you," she says, but it's not coming across as genuine. Or maybe I'm just avoiding facing up to it?

"He only got in touch to explain what went down before and to say sorry. The whole dating thing just… well, it sort of happened. It wasn't part of his grand plan."

"Oh, Amelia. I'll give you that he's a dreamboat on paper, with the looks and the dosh, but he's not your Mr. Right. He's probably just playing you again," Bea sighs.

"Wait, let me get this straight," Bri interrupts. "He's fit, loaded, and can have any woman he fancies. Why bother going through the hassle of apologizing and dating her if he's not properly interested? In my book, blokes don't go to that much trouble if they're not keen."

Bea gives Bri a nasty look.

"I'm with Bri," Miranda interjects, catching Bea off guard. Miranda always backs Bea so this is a bit of a curveball. "I mean, he didn't need to reach out at all. And I saw you two at my wedding: he was absolutely smitten with you. Did he tell you why he messed up back then?"

I shoot Miranda a grateful smile before delving into Ben's apology. When I recount how Ben rescued Smutty and then me, the others all sigh with glee. Well, all except Bea.

"I'm not buying it. Sorry, Amelia," she snaps.

"Bea, what's the issue? What's getting under your skin about this? Are you telling me you haven't changed in twenty years? We all made mistakes when we were young. Sure, he messed up big time back then, and it hurt me. I haven't forgotten that. But he's not the same man he was. He's changed."

"Women in abusive relationships always say that." Bea snorts.

"I'm not just any 'woman,' and I'm not in an abusive relationship," I assert, surprisingly resolute. Usually I shy away from standing up to her. "Why are you so dead-set against him being right for me? Is it that YOU think he's too good-looking for me?"

"Of course not," she laughs nervously. "I'm just looking out for you. But if you don't want my advice I won't bother." She theatrically glances at her watch before rising from her chair. "I've got to run. Nice meeting you, Bri," she mutters, barely giving us a glance before storming out of the coffee shop.

We sit there in a shock for a moment before Bri breaks the silence.

"She's watched too many Hollywood high school dramas.”

It was a fun afternoon after Bea left. I think we made a new friend in Bri, and we have already agreed to meet up for dinner in the next few weeks.

And Bea, well, I won’t reach out first this time. Truth be told I’m not sure I want her to reach out either. We’ve have grown apart and maybe we just have to accept the fact that we once were friends but no longer are. Does that make me a cold-hearted bitch or just a realist?

I have a big smile on my face as I unlock the door to Ben’s house and step into the warmth. Noises from the TV drift down the corridor but otherwise there is no sound in the house.

"Ben," I call out whilst toeing off my shoes. He appears in the door to the living room, Smutty right next to him. Both look like they just woke up. Adorable is not a strong enough word for them.

“Did you nap with Smutty?” I smirk.

“No,” he replies, trying to look innocent. “I fell asleep watching the game.”

“And Smutty?”

“Fell asleep on my chest,” he grins before pulling me into his arms for a kiss. Oh wow, and what a kiss it is. He pushes me up against the wall and nips and sucks on my lips like there’s no tomorrow. When he takes a step back I feel woozy.

“Good afternoon with the girls?” he asks as he pulls me with him into the living room, Smutty hot on our heels because he hasn’t received his pats yet.

“I made a new friend,” I reply, nuzzling Smutty to my chest. His purring has its usual relaxing influence on me. “So, tell me, the date tomorrow. What are we doing?”

“Top Secret,” he grins. “But wear a nice dress.” He winks.

Oh, the wink again. He is killing me.

21

Serenade No.13

Amelia

I fidget as the car travels along the A23 towards Brighton. I'm so excited. Ben’s not just taking me on a date: he’s taking me on an epic date. It took me a bit more probing and a lot of kissing to finally get it out of him. But in the end, he cracked and spilled the beans.