"Actually," I say, stirring my drink with its tiny straw, “I met someone.A potential new scene partner."
Gemma's eyes widen."And you're just now telling us?"
This lunch was supposed to be about her wedding plans, not about me.I also know my friends well enough that they won't move on to the wedding talk until we are done catching up.They know me too well since they were both my roommates at one point.
Summer's eyes light up with interest."At Club Red?"
I nod."Yeah.The other night.We've been texting, and we're meeting up tonight for a scene."
"Sexting, you mean," Summer says with a knowing grin.
"So why do you look like you're confessing a crime instead of talking about something fun?"Gemma asks, tilting her head.
I hesitate, choosing my words carefully."It feels different."
That has both of them sitting up straighter.
"Different, how?"Summer asks, her tone gentle.
I take a deep breath."Well, I’m not sure.Usually, I keep things casual, right?Scene partners are scene partners.This guy...I don't know.There's something about him.I'm more nervous than usual."
I leave out that part of my nervousness is because of the blindfolding and being tied up, which is new to me.There are some conversations I don't want to hear the details of, like what Summer and her husband, who is Gemma's dad, do at Club Red.
It's been more of a silent agreement between the three of us to keep to the general Club Red talk, while keeping all the details of what happens inside the walls there to ourselves.
Gemma exchanges another look with Summer before turning back to me with a knowing smile."Is it bad if it's different?"
I frown."I mean, I don't know.I've always kept guys at a distance.That's the whole point of Club Red, right?No emotions, no strings.My focus needs to be on finishing school."
I am admitting more than I normally do.These girls are only part of Club Red because of me.I took them because I needed to know I wasn't alone in my kinks.In doing so, they both found the loves of their lives, not just a play partner.
"Be careful," Summer says, her tone more serious now."Club Red is safe, but getting emotionally involved can be complicated."
She would know.Her relationship with Knox, Gemma's dad, started at Club Red and turned into something much more.At first, Gemma had a hard time with it, but now they're practically the perfect family.
"It's just play," I insist."Nothing serious."
Summer smirks."Sounds like maybe you're ready for something more."
I shake my head, but the thought lingers.I'm not ready.Not really.But...maybe closer than before.I'm almost done with school, which, in theory, would give me more free time.But if I plan to own my own spa before I'm thirty, I'm going to have to work even harder than I do at school.
The conversation moves to talking about wedding planning and Gemma's thoughts on it all.This is the first time we are doing any planning since her fiancé, Carter, popped the question.
Gemma pulls out a thick binder from her oversized purse and plops it on the table with a thud."I've been collecting ideas for years," she admits with a slight blush coloring her cheeks.It’s not as if Summer and I didn't already know this."I know it's a bit much, but I want everything to be perfect."
Summer reaches over and squeezes her hand."It will be.We're here to help in any way we can."
I nod in agreement, grateful for the change in topic.As much as I love my friends, I'm not ready to delve deeper into my feelings about this new guy.It's too soon, and I’m too uncertain.
"Okay,” I say.“Now, let's start with the two biggest questions: theme and location."I’m ready to dive into all things wedding-related so long as it keeps the attention off of me and keeps my mind occupied.
Gemma flips open the binder, revealing a collage of pictures and swatches."I've always dreamed of a fairytale wedding," she says, her eyes sparkling."I'm thinking of an enchanted forest theme, with lots of greenery, twinkling lights, and maybe even some woodland creatures."
Summer laughs."Woodland creatures?Like, real ones?"
Gemma shakes her head."No, no.More like cute little decorations or centerpieces.I want it to feel magical and whimsical."
I lean in, studying the pictures."I love that idea.It's so you, Gemma.Have you thought about a venue that could accommodate that theme?"