I’d just never found anyone who could keep my attention long enough to make me really lose myself in the pleasure. I could bring myself off like a pro, but with a partner I couldn’t let go. When Julia started seeing Rocco she’d tell me about the way he talked to her during sex, how he would say the filthiest shit to her all while making her feel cherished. Like she brought out the most primal parts of him. The protector and the aggressive lover. I’d never had that, and I knew a lot of it was that I couldn’t fully trust anyone to give me what I needed. Hell, the only person who got me out of my head—with rage—was Theo, and that was definitely not the makings of a healthy relationship. And none of this ruminating on my nonexistent sex life was going to get me ready for the extremely important meeting I was now risking being late for.

I got my ass in gear.

“Okay, Alba Serena, you can this. You are a fucking boss,” I recited as I took stock of my reflection in the glass doors to the foundation. Beat was on point. Eyelashes luscious, winged liner perfect. That smoky eye flawless. Nude lipstick making a statement. My fit today was head to toe Sturm’s employee discount greatness. It screamed I’m a classy bitch, and I can handle business.

I breezed through the reception, waving at the receptionist who knew me by this point, and hopped on the elevator. Within minutes I was in front of Mitzy and Muffy Sturm. I fucking loved those two. They definitely gave off that “kooky rich lady” vibe, but that was just window dressing—they were sharp as hell. It was a bit surreal how much they looked alike. They even shared an office at the foundation. It was an enormous room overlooking a community garden they’d built. The designer in me was also in awe of how they’d done the space.