They climbed into bed, while Ziggy attempted to lick them to death. Zack turned off the light, plugged in his phone, and settled into the pillows. He tried to keep some distance from John, but John wouldn’t allow it, slinging a muscular arm around Zack’s waist and pulling him close. He kissed Zack on the temple. Icy guilt trickled through Zack as he kissed him back.

“So,” John murmured against his lips, “since I’m not allowed to talk about the other thing, tell me about your day.”

Zack flinched. He’d been dreading this conversation, and now it seemed it was going to happen in the wake of the worst fiasco yet. “Aren’t you tired? I get that law students keep fairly irregular hours, but it’s three in the morning, and we just had sex.”

John nuzzled into his neck. “Sorry, but I see your deflection and raise you one answer.”

Zack’s poker theory was looking more and more likely. He sighed. “Work was fine. Obviously I lost my best client, but I still have some regulars.”

“Did anyone want anything interesting today?”

Zack peered at John. His eyes hadn’t adjusted to the dark yet, but from what he could see, John seemed relaxed. That was the opposite of how most of his lovers seemed when Zack talked about his job.

“Uh, no,” Zack said haltingly, “it was all pretty standard. Dirty talk and being asked if I’m a naughty boy. The usual.” He braced himself.

“Hm,” John hummed. “Sounds tedious. But then I suppose most jobs are.” John adjusted his position so he was closer to Zack. After a moment, Zack heard steady breathing.

Zack sat straight up in bed, causing the man next to him to startle. “What the hell, John?”

“What’s wrong?” John asked, bewildered.

“Nothing,” Zack replied. “That’s why I’m freaking out right now.”

Ziggy made a whining noise from his place at the foot of the bed. Zack mentally agreed.

John propped himself up on his elbows. “Wait, what?”

“Aren’t you going to tell me to quit?” Zack asked incredulously. “We’re sleeping together. I spend all day having phone sex with strange men. Doesn’t that bother you?”

“I was one of those strange men, thank you very much,” John said. “If it weren’t for your job, we never would have met.”

“Yeah, I know, but you’re missing the point. I’m a sex worker. I talk dirty to men who aren’t you every day. Sometimes it turns me on. Are you really telling me you’re okay with that? I’m sorry, I’m just struggling to understand. This is usually the part where the guys I’m seeing demand I quit, and then things get awkward.”