Chapter 17

Mandi really wasthe hardest worker. Once she put her headphones in and switched on her music, she happily zoomed around the library all day. Amelia had to actually remind her to eat lunch!

It was surprising how much had changed in twenty-four hours.

Three days ago, Amelia would have said she was perfectly content to live her life here on the Ranch, working alongside her colleagues, helping Littles find books, art supplies and games that would bring them joy. But now, now she wondered how she'd ever be able to go back to that life without feeling like something was missing.

No. Not something.

Someone.

She was very happy in her demisexuality, and very happy with her life. But now she'd met Mandi and she didn't even want to begin to imagine what life would be like without her.

It was a sobering thought, and one she decided to discuss with Derek when, after lunch, things quietened down in the library, and Mandi had said she was more than capable of looking after the space.

"I'll call you if I have any trouble," she said earnestly, and then hurried over to help one of the Middles find a book to read for some homework assignment.

So Amelia found herself wandering down the corridor of the Littles' Wing, toward Derek's office.

"Is he in, Erika?" she asked the dark-haired woman behind the front desk. "I was wondering if he had a moment or two."

"I've always got time for you, Miss Grayson," said Derek's deep voice behind her and she turned and chuckled. "Come on in, Amelia."

They sat down in the two large leather chairs beside his desk.

"So Mandi's certainly been settling in. She told me about your arrangement."

"Yes," said Amelia. "I suppose it's about that… well, that's why I'm here."

Derek nodded for her to continue.

"She's such a sweetheart, and as impossible as it seems, I'm already very, very fond of her."

"That has been apparent to most of us; the staff haven't been able to stop talking about it! Is she okay after her fall yesterday?"

"Oh yes, she's quite all right. Was just overtired, so she had a regulating punishment and then had a very early night."

"Sadie had a regulating punishment too; I imagine our little girls will be quite well behaved this evening for dinner."

Amelia chuckled. "Oh, I bet they will."

"So that all seems excellent; you're both getting along very well, the new dynamic is working for you… what is it that you're concerned about?"

Amelia took a deep breath. "We've spoken before, Derek, about the way that I am."

"Your demisexuality?"

"My demisexuality. I've never really missed having sex too much, never really found a true connection with any of the Littles or submissives who've come to stay here. But Mandi? She was curled up on that couch in her suite, red hair everywhere, and I just…" She sighed. "It was the connection I didn't know I didn't have. Not instant lust, because that's not the way my brain works, but I did know. I knew, Derek, I knew."

"And that is bad how?"

"She's leaving! In less than a week! And then I'll have to go back to normal, knowing what my life was like with her in it."

"Perhaps taking a step back then—" The glare Amelia shot him had Derek closing his mouth. Fast.

"I just need you to tell me how to get over someone, so I can prepare for when she's gone."

Derek rolled his eyes. "I swear, the two of you…"

"Wait, what?"

"I think the two of you need to sit down and have a conversation about what it is that you both want. Because maybe it's more than just this week."

Amelia looked up slowly. "I… I can't hold her back. If she wants this experience to help her process the big wide world out there, then I have to let her go."

"That's true," Derek said, his voice quiet, kind. "But I wouldn't assume what she wants. You can't make those decisions for her. You both need to have all of the facts before you can make any big decisions."

She laughed hollowly, "But what can I offer her, Derek? I have no family, no life on the outside. Just myself, and a home I don't even own."

"If you wanted to own it," he interjected, "we could look into that. And not everyone wants a life on the outside. There are job opportunities here, Caregiving facilities, a school and a university. Just talk to her, Amelia."

Just talk to her. Huh. Maybe that could work…