the French cheese factory that exploded?”
“Nope.”
“All that was left was de Brie.”
This time Brie actually laughed.
“De Brie! Isn’t that great?”
“It’s stupid, but I love it,” Brie admitted. “Thanks, Lea.”
“Any time, girlfriend. So what are your plans while you’re here?”
“Well, I’m hoping to film a few scenes at the Academy. But mostly I just want to spend every minute I can hanging out with you.”
“Me too! But…not tonight.”
Brie was crushed. “Why not?”
“I already made plans with another friend.”
“Can’t I join you?”
Lea hesitated. “She’s extremely shy, Brie. It’s taken me weeks just to get her to agree to go out with me tonight.”
Brie thought she understood and asked in a hushed tone, “Is she a new girl friend by chance?”
Lea rolled her eyes. “No. She’s just a really cool person I want to know better, but if I ask you to join us, I know she’ll bail on me.”
“But Lea,” Brie whimpered, “I haven’t seen you in, like, forever and I’m only here for a week. Please don’t leave me hanging tonight.”
In answer, Lea gave Brie another hug. “I know this stinks, but if things go well tonight I’ll ask if she’d like to meet you. I make no promises and you can’t be offended if she says no.”
Now it was Brie’s turn to roll her eyes. “What, is this girl a mountain hermit or something?”
Lea hemmed and hawed before answering, “You could say that, I guess.”
Her best friend was being so weird and secretive that it turned Brie off. Even if this mystery person agreed to meet, Brie wasn’t sure she would like the girl. “I only have a week here,” she reminded Lea.
“I know, I know! But remember I didn’t even know you were coming until you threw off your hood today.”
Brie giggled. “Oh my goodness, wasn’t that nuts?”
“Master Anderson is so bad!” Lea agreed. “It’s another reason I love it here.”
“Do you think Ms. Clark is okay with it? I was really surprised she handled it so well.”
Lea suddenly became serious. “Although Mistress Clark still maintains her strict demeanor, around the staff she’s been much more open and fun.” Lea mused out loud, “It seems she’s less tortured than before and I don’t know if it’s moving to Denver, Master Anderson’s crazy antics or what, but it’s nice that others are getting to see the person I fell in love with.”
Brie wondered whether letting go of Rytsar had been the biggest reason for her change. “Are the two of you finally an item now?”
Lea shrugged. “She’s still trying to find her way. I don’t think even she knows what she wants, but I’m willing to wait. In the meantime I’m having tons of fun getting to know the other Dominants and submissives in Denver. They’re a friendly bunch, let me tell you.”
Brie clasped her hand. “I’m happy to hear it. So it sounds as if I’ll have to be content with seeing you tomorrow, then.” She stuck out her bottom lip and cried, “I don’t know how I’ll survive.”
Lea held out her little finger and grinned. “I promise to make it up to you—pinky swear.” Brie wrapped her pinky around it and they shook to seal the deal.
Baron peeked his head into the room. “Ms. Taylor, Master Anderson has requested that you return to the staff room.”
Lea got up reluctantly. “I’m sorry I have to leave you, Brie.”
“Don’t concern yourself about that,” Baron replied. “I’m taking Miss Bennett to the Denver Brewery while you attend the meeting.”
Brie loved the idea of getting to spend time alone with Baron, and waved goodbye to her friend. “I’ll be fine. Go have fun with all that behind-the-scenes stuff you do.”
“Later, ’gator,” Lea called, throwing her a kiss before traipsing out of the room.
“So, kitten, which do you prefer—dark or light beer?”
“I like it dark,” she answered with a cheeky grin.
“Indeed.”
He took her to the local brewery within