“Sorry I can’t go with you to Miami,” Natalie says, changing the subject. “Just not in the budget this time.” She might make way more than me, but she budgets a certain amount for travel each quarter. SpicyCon didn’t make the cut.

“It’s fine. Miles is actually going to be there.”

“At least you’ll have someone to venture out with. He’ll get you to leave the hotel room for more than just meals and filming.”

“I’m paying for tickets, I’m going to attend the events,” I laugh, but she’s half right. If I were completely alone, I’d inevitably end up skipping some panels, lectures, or events in favor of staying in my room alone.

“What are you most excited for? Besides filming with new people,” she adds quickly, knowing that’s always my answer.

“There’s a demonstration by an industry veteran on rigging.”

“You want to be the rigger or the rigged?”

Natalie takes another sip of lemonade before reaching into the cooler for a sandwich. She hands one to me first. We prepared this morning, ordering cold sandwiches from one of our favorite places before heading out and picking them up on the way.

“Rigger.” I pull the brown butcher paper away before taking a bite of the turkey sandwich.

“Well, take notes for me.”

“You got it, dude. This was a brilliant idea.” I hold up my sandwich.

“I know, right?” Natalie’s mouth is full of food as she answers and it sends me into a fit of giggles, which she quickly joins.

“I haven’t really checked in with you, have I?” I ask, halfway through my sandwich. “I’ve been so busy with work and the guys. I’m sorry.”

“Oh shut up,” Natalie snorts. “You’ve had a lot on your mind.”

“I’m still sorry. Got any good sub stories lately?”

“Do youactuallywant to hear what I do to men?”

“I don’t know,” I giggle. “Do I?”

“Probably not.”

“Ok, what about women? I know you’ve been filming. Has any of it been of the fun sapphic variety?” I waggle my eyebrows suggestively and Natalie grins.

“I’ve worked with a few lately who’ve been really fun, but none are local. Just in town for a week or two to film.”

“Well, it’s a bummer you can’t get consistent content with them.”

Natalie shrugs. She and I haven’t made a video together in a few months, wanting to focus more on working with other people so the content doesn’t get stale.

“Most are straight. They travel with their boyfriends or whatever and just take the odd girl-girl scene because they know it’ll sell.”

I feel a pang of guilt. Minus traveling with a partner, that’s me, though I try to have a variety of content available and not just a special scene every now and then.

“I’m not blaming anyone,” Natalie assures me. “Even without doing straight porn anymore, I sell alotof content. It’s popular stuff.”

“I’m aware. Hell, you could afford our place on your own.”

“Oh, I definitely could. But you cut my rent in half, so I let ya stay. Gives me extra shopping money, you know?” She pulls her sunglasses down to wink at me and I roll my eyes.

“Because you don’t get enough gifts from your adoring fans.”

“Bitch, youjustdid an unboxing video with like six packages on your page, didn’t you?”

“This is aboutyou, not me.” I chuckle. Before turning back to my sandwich, I try again. “You made me start dating-”