“He didn’t know.”
Minnie and Keeley stared at her.
Suddenly, the floodgates opened, and the whole truth came spilling out, helped along by the alcohol. “It’s not all his fault. When we first started dating, I didn’t want it to be a weird thing that I’d never had one before. So the first time we ever slept together… I faked it.”
“Not ideal, but understandable,” said Minnie.
“And then?” asked Keeley.
“After that, I couldn’t exactly reveal the lie, so I kept faking it, until suddenly, we were years into the relationship.”
“Yikes.” Keeley leaned closer and wrapped her arms around Scarlett. “That istragic.”
“Itwas. It weighed on me quite a lot, especially toward the end. I’ll never do that again.” Scarlett took a couple of deep breaths. Despite everything, a new sense of lightness came over her.
“Goddess,” said Keeley. “So much repression.”
“I think I can help,” said Minnie. She stood. “We’ll be right back.”
Before Scarlett could protest, the two of them went inside, leaving her to wonder nervously what Minnie’s idea of help would entail.
Scarlett sipped her mead and looked toward the firepit. Brayden was in the same spot, laughing with his friend. He looked up at her and made a come-hither motion with his head. She stood, feeling the effects of the alcohol. He watched her with an eager smile as she made her way toward him, and she couldn’t wait to be near him again.
She’d just seated herself in the chair next to Brayden when Minnie reappeared. She stood in front of him, blocking his view, as she handed Scarlett a nondescript cloth bag.
“Thanks. What is it?” she asked as she accepted the bundle.
Minnie leaned in. “It’s a magic wand.” She winked.
Scarlett cocked her head. “Don’t you need it for yourself? I don’t want to inconvenience you or anything. I also don’t know how to use it.” She offered the bag back to Minnie.
Minnie smirked, holding her hands up in clear refusal. She spoke in a low voice, with her back to Brayden. “You’ll figure it out. It’s self-explanatory. And I actually have two of these, so it’s no bother. I won this in a game at a bachelorette party lastmonth, and I already had one.” She shrugged. “It’s meant for you.”
This at least made Scarlett comfortable enough to accept the gift. She set the bag down in her lap, feeling touched that this near-stranger was gifting her a wand. “That’s so nice. Thank you.”
Minnie’s eyes darted to the bag. “I charged it with magic, but you’ll need someone with a soul light to recharge it when the magic runs out. Maybe Brayden?” Her smile turned devious.
“Don’t open it until you’re alone,” Keeley chortled next to her. “And let us know how you get on after you’ve given it a bash.”
“Thank you,” she said, too embarrassed to ask how a wand was supposed to end her struggle to have an orgasm. Hopefully, Minnie was right about it being self-explanatory.
“Of course! Fate brought us together so I could help you thus,” said Minnie.
“What are you talking about?” Brayden poked his head around Minnie to see inside the small circle she and Keeley had formed.
“I’m sure Scarlett will fill you in.” Minnie shoved him away. “We’ll let you have some quality time with Bray,” she said to Scarlett. “Let’s have coffee while you’re in town, yes?”
“Yes!” said Keeley, jumping up and down.
“I’d love that,” said Scarlett. Then her face fell. “I actually don’t know how long I’ll be here. I have to get back to Soleil, but it might take a few days. I’ll get your number from Brayden though. It was so nice to meet both of you!”
Scarlett waved to them as they walked over to a group on the far side of the veranda.
“What’s going on with Minnie and Keeley? I hope they were nice to you.” Brayden glanced curiously at the bag in Scarlett’s lap. It felt like it might burst into flames at any moment she was so aware of it.
“They were so nice,” she said warmly.
“I’m glad.” He bumped his knee against hers. “Are you tired?”
