“And if you don’t have to pay for the drink?”
“Vodka and tonic.”
Ryder smiled and ordered the drink, getting a dark rum and Coke for himself.
“So, you remember me, then?” asked Felix.
He wasn’t sure why he’d said that.
“Of course I remember you. Why do you ask?”
“Your agent said you didn’t remember me.”
“What? My agent? Did you call my agent?”
“Don’t worry. Nothing stalkerish. It was about my pride month role models exhibition.”
“I’m sorry... I don’t even know your name.”
“Felix.”
“Felix, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I spoke to your agent about this exhibition I’m doing for pride month about role models. A queer gallery is giving me an exhibition, and I’m going to take photos of thirty different LGBTQ+ role models and showcase them in June.”
“You think I’m a role model?”
“Well, yes. You don’t come from a privileged background. You’re a self-made success and you do something you’re passionate about. That’s inspiring to people.”
“So, what’s this about talking to my agent?”
“I asked her if you’d be interested in participating and mentioned we’d met at the wedding. Thought it might help.”
“What did she say?”
“She called me back a few hours later and said you didn’t remember meeting me and weren’t interested as the project didn’t align with your brand.”
Felix saw a flash of anger in Ryder’s eyes, then it was gone.
“I’ll do it.”
Felix’s jaw dropped.
“I have one condition.”
“Okay . . .”
“Relax, Felix,” he said, chuckling. “I just want to be the first of the month. Help you bring in the numbers. Oh, do you need any other role models?”
“Well, I need thirty in total.”
“How many have you got so far?”
“Well... just you, but I need to convince my friend Laura to do it. She’s a journalist, but she’s like me and was disowned by her family when she came out. She’s my role model anyway.”
Ryder beamed at him, gripped his shoulder, and stroked his arm. It felt like his entire body was on fire.
“She’d be perfect. What will convince her to do it?”
