When Annabeth first saw Vera come through the front door of the cafΓ©, she could immediately tell there was something wrong. She was certainly more nervous than usual, which was saying something for a girl that always looked like she was ready to hide in a corner at the slightest provocation.
The two had made it a habit ever since they left college to get together for a nice lunch downtown. There was a strange bond between them, and despite being much taller and more elegantly built than her companion, Vera tended to rely on Annabeth's knowledge and opinion on all matters personal.
Recently, things had actually started to go very well for Vera, which is why Annabeth was so surprised and concerned to see her friend so visibly out of sorts.
"So, tell me what's the matter already. It's not like I have all afternoon to guess."
Vera quickly glanced around to make sure no one was eavesdropping before finally coming clean.
"Stephen mentioned something to me after we... well, last night. He said that, um, he really really wanted to, um..."
"Come on, girl, spit it out," Annabeth said impatiently. "You two fucked, and then he said what?"
Vera blushed fiercely, unable to look her friend in the eyes.
"He said that he had a thing for nylon, like pantyhose," she finally explained. "He said that he wanted to do things with me while I was wearing them, you know, in bed."
"Neat," Annabeth nodded. "I'd never have guessed he had such a kink."
"It's not just a kink," Vera complained, balling her fists on the table. "I mean, it's a fetish, isn't it? Doesn't that make my boyfriend a pervert?"
"A pervert," Annabeth laughed, making Vera cringe. "The only thing that would make him a pervert is if he were the one wearing the hose, and even then, I wouldn't kick him out of bed for trying."
"But it's weird," Vera insisted, confused by her friends inability to see her point. "I don't want a weird boyfriend. What other secrets could he be keeping from me? I've been living with him for over a month, and only now do I find this out!"
Annabeth shook her head, but tried to look sympathetic.
"Listen; if he's telling you this, it only means he's come to trust you enough to share this hidden part of himself," Annabeth told her. "It's a good thing, believe me. Stephen is a great guy, and I don't believe he'd do anything bad to you. If you ask me, it really couldn't hurt just to go along with it for a bit and see what he wants to do. There's every chance you might enjoy it too βand if it turns out you don't, shoot that boy my way, because I'd fucking dress up like a French maid or anything else he wanted for a man that good looking."
* * *
Could Annabeth be right? Vera wasn't one to casually dismiss the advice of her best friend. Despite her initial aversion to this new side of Stephen, maybe it was true she should try and have an open mind about it. Standing before her open dresser, Vera picked up a fresh package of pantyhose, fingering the smooth plastic wrap as she turned it over in her hands.