Masters & Lovers Box Set Three

I’m crossing the floor of the lobby, thinking about the ongoing groundworks of D-site and trying to decide whether to tackle the east or the west side first. I’m not truly paying attention to my surroundings.

“Morning, Kirstie.”

“Good morning Mr Alexanders.”

*Jab elevator panel*

Lay land drains first to the east side?

Enable access via the west?

Or wait for the circular route to connect from the bridge?

Where’s that damn lift?

…

…

Reverse mental gears….

Kirstie…

Too much make-up…

Swollen eyes…

Trying not to be too obvious about it, I turn to take a better look at her. Even from the rear…

… slumping in her seat…

Not like her…

The elevator bings, but I ignore it, strolling back to the desk.

“Kirstie, is everything alright?”

“I'm fine, Mr Alexanders. Thank you for asking.”

She's painted on her business face, but as she speaks, she doesn’t look at me, keeping her eyes turned down. One thing I like about Kirstie is that she looks you in the eye…

Usually…

I take her chin in thumb and forefinger. “I expect you to look at me when I speak, Ms Jamieson...” But I cut myself short. Under the makeup she's caked on, her eyes are puffy.

“I’m sorry, sir. I’m fine.”

“No, you're not. You look terrible. Is it something I can help with?”

“No sir, it's... personal…”

I wait, giving her a silence to fill.

A flush rises up her neck, vanishing under the makeup line before it hits her face. “My sister, Erin is falling out with Ben....”

Not Ben again….

He really doesn't have the hang of people…

Why would that upset Kirstie so much?

“... so I have her crying on my shoulder and Ryan...” She stalls.

“Yes? Ryan…?”

Staring down at her desktop, “Nothing.”

wait a little longer, but no more

she doesn’t want

you like to go home? I'll find a stand-in for you

rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

Francis pops her head around my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if you could spare her a few minutes sometime today? She

Aaahhh…

wants to.

James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye

decide if I’m

*****

there is a timid tap at my door. I left it standing

“Come in, Kirstie.”

down. “Thank you for making the time to see

close the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re

nods, winding

What now?

good at this sort of

down. Start at the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture to the chair opposite

Nope…

Wrong…

the low seating

and gulps, then hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour the

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie

course. You always seem so happy together. And, well, you've been doing

As she knows…

eyes slant up to

How we met…

at the

And you know the rules. How

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand

begin to see where this

Ryan…

again. I try a gentle

He... He thinks

you are unwilling to; that you haven't agreed to. That's not the rules of the game. If something upsets you, or if you find

know that, but Ryan... Could you maybe talk to

to interfere in the relationship between a

she nods.

tell me what he is requiring

squirming. “It's...” But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or

tears running furrows through what’s left

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

on knees. “Come on Kirstie. Considering how you and I met, there can't be too

sweating, she says, “He gets off

the clubs are just right for him. He

really in public. Parking lots, elevators.

you too far, you

her eyes red-rimmed, meet

Shit…

word that can't be used isn't

he doesn't understand. He thinks… James, you and Charlotte have been together for a while. Was there ever a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to her mouth as though cutting her own question short. “Sorry,” she