Oh.
That’s new.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Justin angry before. But as quickly as it came, it’s gone. He rubs his face, looking suddenly tired.
“Sorry,” he murmurs. “I’m not… I’m not trying to be difficult, I promise. I’m just trying to understand.”
“It’s fiction,” Jennifer insists. “Don’t forget that it’s just a fantasy. And in this world, in that moment in the woods, the reader gets a glimpse inside Phaedra’s mind. And we know that she’s okay with what is happening. In our world.” She gestures around the circle. “In our world, we’re not as safe as Phaedra.There can’t be shades of gray in consent in our reality because women are inherently unsafe. We don’t hold the power.”
Justin is listening closely, nodding along with her words.
“What are these books really about, at the end of the day?” Jennifer asks the circle, looking around expectantly.
“Sex,” Justin says immediately.
A few of the women giggle.
“Ladies?” she prompts.
Jennifer has been the de facto leader of our book club since the very beginning, but it’s clear it’s going to take more than just her asking to get someone to volunteer an answer. When none of the women in the circle speak, I suck in a breath and step forward.
“Power,” I answer. Justin’s eyes jump to mine, his eyebrows rising, but Jennifer smiles and nods for me to continue. “These books are about power. About being so strong you’re almost untouchable. Phaedra has all the power with Malachi, even during that scene in the woods.”
I address the whole circle, not just Justin. “The fact is, in this universe, we can trust Malachi, and characters like him, to be completely devoted to one thing only: her pleasure.”
Around the circle, the women nod their heads emphatically.
“Malachi challenges Phaedra,” I say, directing my answer at Justin. “But he would never hurt her. He’d burn the world down if it meant she felt safe.”
“See?” Sarah grins smugly at Justin. “It’s romantic.”
You can see the indent on his face where he’s biting his cheek to stay quiet.
I glance over at the wall clock and clasp my hands in front of me.
“Thank you so much for coming tonight, ladies,” I tell the circle. “And… uh, gentleman.” Justin gives me an embarrassed smile, and a few of the women laugh. “But I’m afraid we’re aboutto close for the night. Jade has some pastries for all of you up at the front. And plenty extra for you to take home.”
The group begins to disperse, chatting among themselves as they make their way up to the café. A few of them stay to thank me for hosting and put in their orders for next month’s book. Jennifer gives me a big hug before she leaves, promising to message me her thoughts about the latest book inThe Prince’s Knifetrilogy. When they’re all gone and I’m just starting to put the chairs up, I notice one last guest who hasn’t left.
Justin.
“You know, you don’t have to participate in the book club. Jade and I never do,” I tell him, dragging another chair toward the stack. “It’s not mandatory for employees.”
“I didn’t think it was,” Justin admits. He shifts, clearly uncomfortable. “But I also didn’t think it would be…”
“All women?” I volunteer.
“Yeah.” He gives me a small, uneasy grin. “I messed this up, didn’t I? Made them uncomfortable?”
I snort, lifting another chair and dropping it onto the stack. “I doubt it. It’ll take more than just you to make that group uncomfortable, believe me.”
“Good.” He blows out a breath, puffing out his cheeks, shoulders visibly relaxing.
“Did you like it?” I ask, nodding toward his copy ofThe Prince’s Knife, still clutched in his hand.
Justin looks down at it, frowning. “Do you want my honest opinion?”
I nod.
