I need a friend. A best friend, guy friend, bro, or whatever else they’re called so I can unload about my life.

Turmoil. It’s what I feel. Last night I thought of a hundred different ways I could find out this woman’s name, only to picture myself behind bars for breaking the law. A law that likely doesn’t exist, but because that club is nothing but voodoo magic I’d probably end up in a dungeon somewhere, and no one would know where I am.

Sitting beside me is Bryant. He’s rambling on about someone he met last night who happens to be normal. His description not mine. I’m going out on a limb here and am going to say that the woman he met isn’t an employee of Society X. Not that there is anything wrong with women or men working there.

I’ve thought about telling Bryant about my two visits, but can’t stomach his reaction, mostly because I’ve been with the same woman and he’s boasted that members have their pick. Thing is, I never wanted to sign up to begin with, but now that I have, I don’t know if I can stop.

I tell myself that if Jenica were to text me with a new offer, I’d tell her no. But the thought of completely anonymous foreplay or sex is exciting. It’s fucking exhilarating. After I jacked off last night, I felt like I was walking on cloud nine. I know I pleasured her. I was there when she came all over my fingers. The best part is, I learned more about myself as a lover. I learned to watch her body for signs and perform to what she desired. She didn’t have to tell me anything, except she did.

I’ll never forget her gasping loudly as she was about to come or her raspy voice telling me not to stop. Nor will I ever forget my major flub of calling her baby. Never have I been a man to give pet nicknames to women, but last night when the words slipped out of my mouth they felt right. All of this feels right, except for the fact that I don’t know what she looks like or her name.

Bryant continues to talk about his girlfriend, or soon-to-be one, while I navigate us toward Sweet Briar. He’s working with me today to develop our marketing campaign. Parker says he’s the best, and while I have no reason not to believe my boss, Bryant comes off as flakey. I really need someone who knows what they’re doing so this revitalization project goes off without a hitch. Not only do we have to bring big business to town, we need to make sure there are people here to sustain the economy. Sweet Briar needs to become the place to be.

As I pull into the church, the resident preacher is standing on the steps. Larry waves. “Good morning, Mr. Robicheau.”

“Please, call me Kai,” I say as I greet him on the steps. Bryant is right behind me and introductions are made. Stan Meyer, the man who claims to be mayor of this fading town, steps out of the church. He seems happy, and for the life of me I can’t fathom why. If I attached my name to the title of Mayor I’d do anything I could to make my town successful. And with Sweet Briar being on the coast, the ideas are endless.

I shake hands with Stan, out of professional courtesy, but there’s something about him that rubs me the wrong way. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that once Sweet Briar is looking like it’s old self again that he doesn’t take credit for spearheading the project.

“I brought plans,” I tell the men as I hold up a large roll of designs. I follow them into the church where a long table is set up.

“Will this do?” Larry asks.

“It’s perfect. Let me show you what I have.” Removing the rubber band, I let the papers roll somewhat flat. “You’ve already seen the design for the housing complex, but I wanted you to see what we have in mind for the shopping center.”

I give Larry and Stan a chance to look over what I’ve come up with. “As you can see, I’ve gone retro with the design. After sifting through old town records, I found a bylaw that states all buildings must conform to the listed specifications. Unfortunately, in each update of the law, that requirement hasn’t changed, which necessarily isn’t a problem, except for the previous builders didn’t follow code.

“I spent some time at the library, searching for pictures of Sweet Briar to aid in my design. So what you’re seeing here is the seventies version of what construction looked like and what is allowed by the bylaw.”

“But this is a new generation,” Stan says.

I nod. “It is. However, you have to look at the generation that will be coming here to visit. They’ll appreciate seeing buildings that remind them of their childhood. We’re going to bring back those memories,” I say as I flip a few pages into my design. “Ward Enterprises recently acquired this building. With its beachfront access, we’re going to give it an open concept and turn it into an arcade. One that serves children, teens, and adults.”

“Our focus is to draw tourism,” Bryant states. “By creating a place that not only reminds adults of the place where they met their first love, or the summer they spent watching the sunrise with their friends, but where they can bring their families.”

“We’re creating nostalgia,” I add. My eyes are focused on Larry, not so much Stan, although when I do look at him, he seems confused. Personally, I don’t think it’s a hard concept to follow. Retro is all the rage right now, and with a small town like Sweet Briar, people will talk about how welcoming it was while they were here.

“Do you have any questions?”

Rubbing his face, Stan nods. “I guess I don’t get it.”

“What part?” Bryant asks.

“Why wouldn’t we build industrial?”

Bryant and I both laugh, except it’s not a “ha-ha you’re funny” but a “you’ve got to be kidding me” type.

“Industrial screams, ‘pass through our town because we have nothing to offer.’ That is the last thing we want. We want people to pass through and stop. We want them to find a place they fall in love with so that they come back. Ward Enterprises is here to make that happen, Stan. We’re investing millions into recreating this town so that people want to live here, work here, and visit. Industrial isn’t welcoming.”

“Well as Mayor—”

“Unelected,” Larry points out. I want to laugh but know it’d be unprofessional.

That seems to put Stan in his place. “I like what I’m seeing and I agree, my childhood had some of the best memories. And you’re right, I moved here with my family because of it. I will admit, though, the idea makes me nervous.”

“We’ll do a market analysis,” Bryant says. “We can still start building. It won’t slow us down at all.”

“That is the best idea you’ve had all morning,” Stan adds. I glance quickly at Bryant who is clenching his jaw. The analysis is to appease Larry, not prove that we’re wrong because we’re not. We know this business inside and out.

“Let’s grab some lunch, shall we?” Larry asks, trying to diffuse the growing situation. Stan needs to be reminded that he had nothing to do with Ward Enterprises getting involved. It was all Parker and Pastor Larry.

We follow Larry through the church, down the back stairs, and into a small meeting area. There are a few older women, scurrying around to make sure the meal they’ve prepared is ready to go. My stomach growls at the smell of gravy and roast.

“I hope you’re hungry,” Larry says with a smile. He has no idea how hungry I am right now. Bryant and I follow Larry to a table and sit down. Our food is placed on the table in home-style fashion, yet another nod to my retro building idea. Bryant elbows me to make sure I recognize that we’re on the same page.

“So, Kai, tell me about yourself,” Larry asks as he plops a heap of potatoes onto his plate. My mouth waters, waiting for my turn.

“Well, I was born in Arizona, obtained my degree in Urban Development. Took a job with the company I interned with before transferring to Utah for a year to work on a redevelopment project. That job led to Malibu, California, which is where Parker Ward found me. He wooed me for a few months until I finally caved and moved to Portland to work on the Sweet Briar project.”

“Are you married? Kids?” he asks.

I shake my head. “Single. No kids.”

“That he’s aware of,” Bryant the douchebag says.

I glare at him, letting him know I don’t appreciate the inappropriate comment.

An arm reaches in between Larry and I, and I smile at the woman who fills my water glass. “Thank you.”

“Sounds like he’s about perfect for Lexi,” she says.

“Oh, Lois,” Larry says.

“What? Our Lexi is gorgeous and deserves a good man. She’s living up in that city all by herself and Kai here is new. I bet she could show him around.”

“I’m sorry, who is Lexi?” I ask.

“My daughter,” Larry sighs, yet he’s smiling. I can’t tell if he’s upset with her or proud of her.

“She’s single,” Lois says before heading back to the other women. I watch her closely and can tell that she’s talking about me. The women giggle, causing me to blush.

“Lexi has a good heart, so if you’re looking for someone to show you around, she’d gladly do it. She recently finished school and is a chef. Boy, my daughter can sure cook.”

“Food is the way to a man’s heart,” Bryant adds.

“Let me give you her number just in case you find yourself bored some day and want to go site-seeing.” Larry writes her number down on a piece of paper. I take it and read it over, but something doesn’t feel right. I know I’m not in a relationship, but it feels like one. A very odd one to boot, but I’d be afraid of getting involved with Lexi and her finding out about my escapades at Society X.

Of course, thinking about the club and the things that have happened in there have me thinking about the mysterious woman and whether I’ll get a chance to see her again. I want to, but I’m not sure in what capacity. The play room is supposed to be about fetishes, I’m not sure how I’d react if she summoned me to suck on her toes. A spanking, I could probably do. I’ve always wanted to play with a flogger, but have never had the chance. I would draw the line at putting on a diaper though. Pretending I’m a baby doesn’t turn me on, and if there’s one thing that I’m adamant about, it’s making sure my partner and I are both satisfied.

Setting her number down on the table, I turn my attention to my lunch. This home-cooked meal is a Godsend. I can’t cook for shit, and this is the best meal I’ve had in a long time.

When we’re done, I notice the piece of paper is gone. I could say something, but I don’t want Larry to think that I’m interested or that I might call. The last thing I want is for him to tell his daughter to expect a phone call from me and it never happens. Clearly, the sorcery of Society X is working against me right now, which makes me what to reach out to Jenica. Although, I don’t know what I’d say.