Page 142 of If Our Hearts Collide

“Oh shit.” She turns to direct all her attention toward me. “Are you underage? Please tell me no. I mean, of course, tell me the truth. But?—”

“No, no. I just celebrated a birthday and am twenty-two.” I dig into my handbag and pull out my identification card that proves my age. “Here. For Yuri.” Whoever Yuri is. I am assuming he is the owner? If so, that would make Michael the gatekeeper.

“Okay, great.” She takes the card from my hand and gives it a good look. “That’s a relief. For a second, you had me scared.”

“Oh, sorry.”

“No worries. So, I recommend actually leaving your entire handbag in the locker. No phones allowed at all past this point.”

“What about my money? I assume there will be a place to order drinks inside…” And I could easily use one right now as the nerves start to take hold. But I rarely drink.

“It’s covered. Just don’t go overboard on the alcohol since it’s free. Master Yuri does not take nicely to anyone becoming belligerent—no matter how cute you are.”

“Got it.”

I inwardly cringe over the word “cute.” That was not the intention of my outfit selection tonight. Grabbing the ties on my wrap dress, I start undoing them, revealing my sexier ensemble. I gently place the folded dress inside the locker. Daphne shuts the door and hands me the key, which I tuck into the tiny pocket of my miniskirt.

“I love your necklace.”

“Thanks,” I say joyfully, holding the pink flower that glows brightly in this dimly lit alcove.

“Everyone here has been vetted”—she makes a little laugh—“well, most people have.” She is referring to me. “And Master Yuri takes security very serious. No one will mess with your stuff. You are safe here. Have fun. Explore. And if you have a problem, find a monitor and report anything that makes you uncomfortable.”

“Thank you,” I mutter, slowly feeling the pressure I once had on my shoulders release with each minute I’m here. The hard part is over, and at least I have Daphne to walk me through the venue so I’m not so freaking scared.

A few women dressed in head-to-toe white latex outfits enter the locker room while we exit. Some people take themes to the extreme.

Daphne leads me across the hall into a private office space.

“Master Yuri likes to personally check in with all new guests before they hit the main part of the building, but he doesn’t appear to be available right now nor was he expecting you.”

“Oh, ah, sorry.” Why do I keep apologizing tonight?

“Oh, it’s fine. He’s probably working the floor or tending to a matter.” She takes a notepad from the top of his pristine desk, rips off a page haphazardly while sprinkling frayed pieces onto the polished surface, and then scribbles out a message. Plopping my ID on top, she pivots and makes her way toward a filing cabinet. Opening it up, she pulls out a file and then hands me a piece of paper. “Sign this.”

I glance over the form. “An NDA?”

“Yeah. Just for protecting the authenticity of this place.”

“Okay…”

“The gist is…whatever happens here stays here. Don’t go blabbering about how amazing this place is to others.”

“Alright.” I scan over the bulleted items, and when I see nothing too shocking, I give it a sign. “Um, did someone break the NDA by giving me that postcard the other night?”

“Yes.”

My eyes snap to Daphne. “Seriously? Should I leave?”

“Absolutely not. I think Master Yuri will love making this exception.”

“Okay…”

“Come. We’ll catch up with him later.”

I follow Daphne out of the room, down the hall, and when we get to a series of doors, she reaches for my hand to give it a squeeze.

“Are you ready for the real fun to begin?”

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