She could hear classical music being played from a speaker she couldn't see. She couldn't name any such music, but the violins played melodies togethe... that seemed pleasant enough.She sat down on a leather seat that creaked as she shifted her weight.It didn't feel very comfortable compared to the soft old sofas she was used to, but she didn't want to say anything negative. "From a client. He said he'd set up an appointment for me, and he'd even pay, I just needed to turn up here at this exact. No accounting for taste, right?As I said before I work the higher end of the trade so I'm fairly used to the rich and their hangers-on coming and going but I don't think I've ever seen that many limos piled up at the end of the pier like I did that day. If that's the kind of money you find in the music business then I am definitely in the wrong line of work! There were the obligatory old rich men with their arm candy ― either trophy wives or weekend rentals ― old rich men with their pretty boys. ..Pain flared in my ankle as I hit the cool grass. I rolled forward, my tentacles retracting inside me as the pain and cold shocked the buzzing pleasure out of me. I tumbled onto my back, groaning, my ankle throbbing.Get up and run, Henrietta.I twisted my ankle, I panted back.I'm sending the nanites to heal you.Warmth flooded in my ankle. I groaned, forcing myself to stand. It hurt, and I limped forward. Behind me, Peony jumped out of the window, her ruined blouse and camisole hanging about her. ”One more kiss in his arms and then I pulled away, “Bye Mike.” I gave a little half-wave and turned to walk away.“Wait,” he whispered. I paused and turned back. Wistful, he gently wiped away the smeared make up. Then he ran his fingers through my hair combing it back into place. He stepped back and looked me over, straightening this and smoothing out that. “There baby,” he said and paused. “Perfect,” and he leaned down and kissed the top of my head. I was sad in that moment. Sad that I’d met a.