Page 33 of Forfeits

I’d kept it on for a year after Daniel had passed. But on the first anniversary of his death, I’d put it in the little wood box that held his cufflinks, his watch and his matching wedding band. It seemed like it kept us together somehow, more than me wearing mine on my own would.

It was important to be honest.

“I mean, an arrangement where…” I swallowed, gazing at the table. “Where I…I served him…in all kinds of ways.”

There. I’d said it.

He blew out a long breath. I didn’t dare look up.

Then his hand was on my back, soothing me.

“Served him…how? Like domestic stuff?”

“Sometimes.”

Aiden’s hand stopped. He cleared his throat. “Sex stuff?”

The breath whooshed from my lungs and the relief I felt was incredible.

“Yeah.”

“Is that why you remembered me from so long ago? Because you knew what I was, and it drew you to me?”

“Maybe that was part of it. But also, you’re you,” I said, waving my hand at him.

He smiled a languorous, confident smile.

* * * *

We made plans to go to Maverick Molly’s that Thursday, when Patrick was off and could look after Lucy.

I hadn’t known what to wear, but I ended up in a dressy pair of black pants and a light gray sweater over a T-shirt, with a black blazer over top. Patrick had said that most of the men who came to Molly’s dressed a little formal, since it harkened back to times when people got fancy to go out.

Aiden had texted me that he was running late, so I’d said I’d go in and get us a table or at least scope the place out, and he could find me inside. Maybe that had been a mistake, because I felt decidedly out of my depth as I entered the lamplit interior of the club.

I stood in the hallway after hanging up my coat, feeling uneasy and anxious, when a young black man wearing bloomers and the rest of the molly-boy outfit under a red kimono came out of the main room.

He stopped and cocked his head. “Well, hello there, handsome. I’ve never seen you before!”

His smile was cheeky and cheerful, and made me feel welcomed.

“Nope. This is my first time.” I didn’t want to reference the bathroom incident. “But, my nephew works here.”

He gasped. “A virgin!” He looked me over. “And who is your nephew, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Patrick Lafferty.”

“Oh! My, my, my. He didn’t tell me he had such an attractive uncle!”

I didn’t know what to say to that. He was obviously putting me on. I smiled.

“I’m Robin. And welcome to Maverick Molly’s. Can I help you get settled in the gaming parlor?”

“That would be great. I’m expecting someone.”

“Wonderful! And you are?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m Fletcher Marin.”

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