Then she begins the show. I notice it in her eyes immediately when something changes and she’s no longer my friend. She’s a temporary partner. A strange co-worker. This moment isn’t personal. It’s a part of the job. And it hurts. So I pretend too. I’m completely over-the-top as I grab her.

“I guess the night can only go down from here,” I say seductively, sliding down to my knees and raising Ashley’s skirt.

No underwear. A nice professional choice.

But just as I’m going in for the first taste—eyes closed—the unexpected happens.

“I can’t,” Ashley says, stepping backwards.

“What? What did you say?” David asks, obviously as confused as I am as I kneel stupidly in the middle of the carpeted floor.

“I don’t know…I just can’t. I can’t do this,” Ashley repeats, and with that she turns and exits the room.