Author : Ian Rennie

I give Annabeth one last lingering kiss at the door.

“I’ll see you next week?” I say, a slight quaver in my voice.

“Count on it.” she says grinning.

I close the door as she turns, my heart fluttering. This is it. The big one, complete with thunderbolts and fireworks. I’m in love. Annabeth is the one. Which means I have to stop this.

Annabeth is a client, and starting a relationship with a client is the big no-no. I don’t care, though. I always said if I found the one I’d stop working anyway. The money is pretty fantastic, but I can’t do this and be in a relationship too, it just wouldn’t be fair.

I always knew she was special. Each time she visited I felt a little excited beforehand. Each time I gave her what she needed it felt like more than just sex. And now I know for sure.

This is it, then. I have another client, Veronica, in half an hour, but I can’t go through with it. I’ll have to tell her, then talk to the office. They may not understand, but my contract says I can walk whenever I want, so frankly they don’t have to.

I just need to take my pill, get a shower, and get ready for her. Falling in love is no reason to let standards slip.

I take the pill with a glass of water then step in the shower. The management insist we stay on the drug regime. There’s random tests and everything. Nobody wants to risk someone getting a dose and passing it to other clients.

The warm water is so soothing, like rain during monsoon season. I’m so relaxed when I step out of the shower that I can’t remember what I’d been doing. Something about the last client, but the details escape me.

To be honest, I don’t know if I’ll be here much longer. I have my appointment with Veronica, and she’s not like the others.

There’s just something about her that makes my heart skip when I know she’s coming.

I think she may be the one.

 

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