“What? Of course!” The way she replies, I know she isn’t being honest. Bailey wraps her arm around Caroline and gives a slight shake of her head.
“Care?” Ansley asks.
Caroline waves her hand at us. “What I’m going through is nothing compared to what’s happening right now,” she says.
I step forward and put my hand on her forearm. “Hey, don’t do that. How you’re feeling is valid and what you’re going through is valid. It doesn’t matter if it looks smaller than what other people are going through. If it’s big to you, then it’s big to us.”
She blinks, and a tear falls down her cheek. “I've been having a hard time since Mia was born,” she says. “The doctor says it’s postpartum depression, so he prescribed me something to help. I started taking it earlier this week. It takes about a week or so for it to start working.”
When I was telling her about me and Victor’s relationship and what would be happening at the ceremony, she was going through this. “Care, you know you can talk to us.” I glance around the circle we’ve all formed at each person. “That goes for all of you. It doesn’t matter what any of us are going through, we’ll always be there for each other no matter what,” I say.
Caroline flicks at a tear and nods. “You’re right. Of course you are. If any one of you were going through this and didn’t talk to us about it, I would think the same thing.” She shrugs. “It’s just hard sometimes when it’s me.”
Ansley wraps her arm around Caroline’s waist and mine, so I wrap mine around Bec’s and she wraps her arm around Bailey. “Let’s all make a vow now that we’ll talk to each other. Life is changing very quickly, but you are my tribe and that is never going to change,” Ansley says.
By this point, we’re all crying. “I kept secrets for so long. I don’t want to do that anymore,” I tell them.
Caroline smiles at me and I know she’s about to change the subject before she does it. “Don’t you have something to tell us?” she asks.
Everyone’s eyes light up and I nod. We all take a seat. The boutique has a couch and several comfortable chairs. I sit in one of the chairs as we all begin eating again and Ansley refills our champagne glasses. I’m grateful Leo will be driving me home because, with how generous Ansley is being, I’m already beginning to feel tipsy.
“I’ve already told Caroline, and I did talk to Ansley about some of this a while ago, but I wanted to tell you all.” Everyone is looking at me with anticipation and grins. “Victor and I,” I swallow and take a deep breath. Talking about this one on one is easier than in a group. “We’re in a Dominant/submissive relationship. We have been for several months now. It’s helped me overcome a lot of trauma from living with Donovan. At the wedding, he’s going to give me a collar. In the BDSM community, it’s as important as a wedding ring. For some, it’s more important.”
I pause and look at everyone. They all have smiles. I exhale, realizing how nervous I was. “I wanted to tell you all because I want you to know how important it is. We won’t do anything other than after we exchange rings, the priest will say that Victor has a wedding gift for me and he’ll put it on me. There will be people there that are in the lifestyle, so they’ll understand. But there will be people there that will think it’s just a wedding gift.” Bec and Bailey exchange a look. “What?” I ask.
Bec leans forward and from the growing smile on her face, I have an idea of what she’s going to say. “You know Connor is going to insist on throwing you two a BDSM party.” I throw my head back and laugh.
“And I’m dressing up as a penis again,” Bailey says with a clap of her hands.
“Julian is going tolovethat.” Caroline rolls her eyes and we all start laughing.
“Lincoln was right; we are all a little kinky,” Ansley says and we all nod in agreement. As if on cue, there are knocks on the boutique door. Ansley stands, walks to the door to unlock it, and the guys all file in. Leo and Arden come in too and stand at the door. I smile at them, appreciative that because of them I felt safe tonight and was able to relax.
Victor walks over to me and wraps his arm around my shoulders, kissing me on the forehead. I can tell by the glazed look in his eyes that he’s had quite a bit to drink too. Malachi is also with them, so Victor introduces him to all the girls.
“Hey Bec, did you hear?” Connor asks loudly. I share a look with Victor already knowing where this is headed. “We’re hosting another BDSM party.” I throw my head back, laughing. Victor shakes his head, but he’s smiling. Julian rolls his eyes.
“And I get to wear the penis costume again,” Bailey says. Julian’s eyes snap to hers.
Leo walks over excitedly, standing on the other side of me. He bumps his shoulder into mine. “I am coming to this BDSM party. Arden will have to do security that day.”
“Hell yeah,” Connor says. “The more the merrier.”
“I’m scared to ask, but what’s a BDSM party?” Malachi asks.
“Burgers, Drinks, and Salsa Music, baby!” Connor exclaims.
Bass shakes his head. “I know you didn’t drink that much. I was watching.”
“You know he doesn’t need alcohol to make him like this,” Julian deadpans.
“Yeah, I wish I hadn’t asked,” Malachi says.
My cheeks hurt from smiling so much, but my heart has never been fuller.
Chapter seventy-two
Olivia
