“I wish I could say the pleasure was mine,” Ashley replied, rolling her eyes as she channel surfed.

“Haha, maybe next lifetime kid,” the voice said.

“Oh, it would have to be next lifetime wouldn’t it? You’re not as young as you used to be Christine,” the brunette said with a grin.

Ouch.

There was a noticeable pause on the line as the voice responded, “Look Ashley. I may not be the latest one nightstand, but I am still your superior. With that said, it would be nice if we could at least maintain a decent relationship…working relationship.”

“Hmm working relationship…was that what it was called that night in Barcelona when you needed me to…service your engine? Because, I know the miles are getting up there,” the teen said smartly.

The woman on the phone chuckled. “I don’t remember you complaining about my mileage; to be so young you have quite a bit of them yourself. Just imagine when you get to be my age.”

“Speaking of your age, what is it again? Because last I checked, 35 is not the new 25,” Ashley jested back.

Christine sighed audibly. “I’ll expect an update on your progress by the end of the week. And remember, we’ve got eyes and ears on this one…”

“Yes mother,” the teen said, maintaining her smart-ass ways.

“Oh, and Ashley?” the woman said, preparing to end the conversation.

“Yeah?”

“Try not to fuck this one…I mean, try not to fuck this up,” Christine said, and then hung up abruptly.

Ashley chuckled bitterly. “Very funny,” she said out loud as she sat in the room filled with quietness, nothing but her and the TV.

***

About 10 minutes away, a book smart blonde was finishing up her homework.

“Hey Spence,” her father said, appearing in the doorway.

Spencer turned away from the desk, and smiled. “Hey dad, what’s up?”

“Nothing much, just getting home. I see your mom was here,” he replied, walking into his daughter’s room.

“Was?” Spencer questioned, putting her pen down and watching her dad as he sat at the foot of her bed.