Page 34 of Forfeits

“Excellent. If you’ll just follow me, Mr. Marin, I can show you around and introduce you to a few people.” Robin turned and beckoned me to follow. The red kimono had a large dragon embroidered in gold on the back of it.

Introduce me to some people? This was already more than I’d bargained for. Why hadn’t I arranged to meet Aiden out front?

Chapter Six

Pretty Boys and Kinky Spaces

I took a deep breath, fixed the collar of my blazer and followed Robin into the gaming parlor.

The spacious, lamplit room contained several round tables, around two of which groups of men were seated. Polished, dark wood floors peeked from under a vintage burgundy rug. An expansive hearth loomed against the far wall, containing a blazing fire that crackled and popped. The weather had gotten significantly colder over the past couple of weeks, so it was welcome.

“Now, Mr. Marin. Would you like to join a table or would you like me to seat you at one of the empty ones?”

“Hmm.” I gazed at the two busy tables. A game of backgammon was in play at one of them, and cards at another. “I’d love to sit by the fire, at the empty table.”

“Lovely. Come this way, please.”

I glanced at the bar to my left, where a black man in fancy historical clothing was mixing a cocktail. He flashed me a smile and gave me a nod. I returned the smile, then followed Robin to the table I’d indicated. There was a small stage with a piano beside it. If anyone performed, we’d have front row seats.

“Thank you,” I said.

“Of course. You’ll be able to see your friend when he arrives. May I have his name, please?”

“Aiden Thompson,” I replied. “He should be here soon.”

“I’m sure,” Robin said, eyeing me with interest. “Can I get you a drink?”

“Of course. Yes. Hmm.”

“I’ll get you a cocktail menu,” Robin said, flitting to the bar before I could say anything else. He leaned over the bar top and whispered something to the bartender, who glanced at me and shrugged, then passed Robin a laminated sheet.

Robin came back to the table and placed it in front of me. “Have a look, and I’ll be back in a moment.”

“Thank you.”

He went off to another table, and I was able to relax and scan the list of cocktails on offer. The atmosphere of the place, with soft jazz playing in the background—which might not have been historically accurate but added to the relaxed ambience—and the sounds of men chatting and egging each other on, gave me a glimpse into another time. I received some curious glances from a few of the customers, but otherwise was left to myself. I wondered how it would have felt to have found a place like this, where a gay man could be himself, in a society that was openly hostile and that criminalized same-sex behavior. Would I have had the courage to go there? Or would I have lived a life of misery trying to be something I wasn’t? I didn’t even want to contemplate the answer.

There were two other servers in pretty Victorian undergarments moving about, and I had to say that the concept was brilliant. Titillating and unique, it was a glimpse into a subset of kink and gender fluidity that might have existed in secret locations back in the day. The men at work here at Molly’s were lovely young things, who seemed perfectly at home and happy to serve drinks and small snacks to the men who observed them. I noticed lots of flirting between the molly boys and the clients but no bad behavior. The men seemed to know what would be tolerated.

Then Robin came back into the room leading Aiden, who seemed absolutely delighted with the attention and also happy to find me waiting for him.

“And here you are then, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Marin. Have a look at the drinks list and I’ll be back in a moment—or flag down one of the other mollies to assist you.”

“Thank you so much,” Aiden said, taking the chair next to mine and subtly eyeing Robin’s cinched waist. “Fletcher, you look amazing.”

“Aiden,” I said, looking him over. “You always look nice but…wow.”

“Oh, you like?” he asked, sitting back so I could have a better look.

He was wearing artfully faded slim-cut jeans with a crushed velvet navy blazer over a matching vest, with a pinstriped navy and white collared shirt and a navy tie.

“Oh, yes,” I said, grinning.

I felt much more at ease now that Aiden was here.

“So,” he said, looking around, “this is where your nephew works.”

I laughed, raising my eyebrows. “I wonder if my sister-in-law knows?”

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