Girlcore | S1 E3 | The Third Way

Jane was barely asleep when the phone split the quiet. Veronica's voice on the line, short and sharp—office, now. No discussion. Her boyfriend muttered into the pillow; she was already pulling clothes on. Thirty minutes later she stood at Veronica's door, still half-dreaming. Veronica watched her sit, fingers already flying over the keyboard, then suddenly stopped typing herself. "That gym-rat look isn't going to cut it," she said flatly. A few seconds of silence. Then she stood, cocked her head, and ordered Jane to the adjoining room. A black sheath dress waited on the sofa. Jane reached for it, but Veronica blocked the door. "Here," she said, lowering onto the cushions like she planned to enjoy the show. Jane peeled off her sweats, goose-bumps rising where Veronica's stare landed. She stepped out of her panties last. Veronica's mouth twitched, amused. She crossed the room and yanked the elastic from Jane's ponytail. A compact appeared; fingers dusted powder, gloss slicked lips, a brush feathered shadow onto lids. Veronica dropped to one knee, lacquered Jane's toenails blood-red, slipped strappy heels onto her feet. When Jane finally sank back into the chair, her bare thighs whispered against leather. Veronica leaned over her shoulder, breasts brushing the top of Jane's head, breath hot at her ear. She didn't say a word about the spreadsheet on the screen. Outside, the city lights pulsed; inside, the silence thickened, ready to break.