Page 66 of The VIP Package

CHAPTER 13

CAMILLE

Over the course of the next afternoon, more consorts return to the resort. So do an array of chefs, aestheticians, and massage therapists, several of whom find me and offer their services. While the pilots’ strike is still going, employees who spent their vacation on neighboring islands make their way back by boat.

“Ms. Neville explained how you’ve been stranded here,” says an earnest young consort named Nico. “Can I interest you in a massage?”

“Ms. Neville?” I’m not actually sure who that is.

“The staff supervisor. Kora?”

Ah, Sybil’s wife. We still haven’t met. “That’s sweet of her to send you.”

“She didn’t.” Nico smiles. “I came on my own. You’ll find me in the app if you’d like to book a service.”

“App?” That’s right, Eve explained how enchantments get booked here. “I guess I missed that step. The whole orientation, really.”

Appalled and a little dumbfounded, the sweet young Italian spends the next several minutes setting me up with a profile. An hour later, I schedule my first officialenchantmentfor two daysfrom now. Might as well have it on the books in case the pilots’ strike drags out. I don’t opt for anything too wild—a regular massage with no happy ending—but I’m browsing the rest of the menu when Eve calls.

“Hey.” I answer the call with my video on, delighted when she does the same. A second smiling face fills the screen beside her. “Sara’s there!” It’s so good to see both my friends.

And then my brother ducks into the frame. “Hey, Camille.” Kit waves from behind them. “I’ve been instructed to exit the room and put on my headphones so I won’t inadvertently hear girl talk. Leaving now.”

“Wise man.” I blow him a kiss as Kit plants a real one on Eve’s forehead. “You guys are good?”

“Yep!” Kit says, already backing out of the room. “And before you ask, our sisters send love. They want you to call when you have time, but they understand you’rebusy.” He winces when he says it, like he’d rather not linger on the subject of me getting railed at a sex resort. “Bye.”

“Bye, Kit.”

As soon as he’s out of earshot, my girls scoot closer together. “You look beautiful,” Sara says. “So tanned and relaxed.”

Eve grins. “Like a woman who’s had lots of great sex.”

“Thanks.” Laughing, I tuck some sun-streaked hair behind one ear. “I’m having an incredible stay at Crystal Bliss.”

Sara tilts her head. “Is the resort still closed?”

Even Eve looks befuddled. “You said most of the consorts wouldn’t return for a few more days.”

“And yet, I’ve had an epic sex-cation.” I bring them up to speed on my week, including my hookup with Sybil and Lacy.

By the time I’m done, Sara’s gaping in shock, while Eve looks confidently giddy.

“Told you,” she says, grinning. “Sybil’s fantastic.”

Sara’s forehead scrunches. “Is it weird that you and Eve hooked up with the same woman?”

“Not at all.” I sometimes wish Sara wasn’t so sheltered. “If we all made flowcharts of our partners’ former partners andtheirpartners and got oogey about the crossover, no one would ever fuck anyone.”

Eve laughs. “Beautifully put.”

“I guess.” Sara nibbles her bottom lip. “Sometimes I wish I wasn’t such a prude.”

And now I feel bad for thinking the same thing. “You’re perfect just as you are, Sara. Everyone has different comfort thresholds and that’s fine. Imagine how boring life would be if everyone was the same.”

“Absolutely.” Eve puts an arm around our sweet virgin pal. “That’s the great thing about sexuality. We all make the rules for ourselves. Not for anyone else.”

Hearing her say that cheers me again. It wasn’t that long ago Eve led a life cluttered with purity culture residue. Now she’s happily boning my brother in a loving, committed, somewhat-open relationship. They’re clearly in love, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted for my friend.

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