“This is what I’m talking about. It’s a travesty! It’s shameful!”
“I am so sorry,” I said, pushing my way through. “She wasn’t supposed to bring sex toys.”
“You see!” the woman thundered. “Another person who doesn’t respect the sexual desires of older women.”
“No, no, Barbara,” Ida said. “Sadie’s cool. She’s the one who let me set up a table here.”
“Apologies,” the stately older woman said. “This is a pet peeve of mine.”
“It is?” I asked faintly.
“People think us old gals only want to sit around and knit and go to afternoon concerts and garden. We want to have sex, goddamn it! It’s high time someone recognized that. I’m so glad you’re forward-thinking. This has been quite a unique event, and I’m happy that someone here realizes that women our age have needs too.”
“This is so much more interesting than those boring charity lunches,” one older woman said. “Give me booze and fried cheese and hot guys in tight pants. I’ll write checks all day long!”
Parker looked like he needed a strong glass of whisky.
“I’m glad I could help,” I said, clearing my throat.
“Ida, we should talk,” Barbara said. “I’d like to invest in your business. It’s nice to see someone of our generation fighting the good fight. And you,” she barked at me. “The girls and I have a bimonthly meeting. You’ll be there at our next one to talk about how we can help your charity.” She nodded at me then turned back to Ida.
We had been dismissed.
I let out a breath, or as much as I could in the corset. “I need a drink,” I said as Parker led me away.
“Guess sex toys are good for something,” he said mildly as I dropped down onto one of the couches.
“I see why women back then used to just spontaneously faint,” I said, fanning myself.
“I’ll grab you a glass of wine.”
I felt someone behind me and twisted around on the couch.
“So,” Kaitlyn said. “You think he’s in love with you.” She smirked.
“He’s my boyfriend,” I declared. “It’s official.”
“I can’t believe you. If you weren’t trying to steal Parker from me, I’d say you were pathetic.” She leaned in close. “You want to hear a secret? He doesn’t care about you. He’s using you. You’ll see. You’re just the naïve little virgin trying to make her way in a big wide world. He’s already finished with you; you just haven’t realized it yet. Billionaires like Parker use people and throw them away. You’re a pawn on a chessboard. Once he’s done with you, out you go.”
“We’re fine,” I protested, but Kaitlyn was already gone.
58
Sadie
“What did she want?” Jasmine said, coming over to me. “Also, why are you sitting down? Come dance!”
“I think Kaitlyn knows something,” I whispered to her.
“She’s just trying to get into your head,” Jasmine said, dragging me onto the dance floor. “She wants that dick, but you have it.”
Parker was looking around, two drinks in his hands. Jasmine twirled me around, and I fell into Parker’s arms.
“I have your drink,” he said as I looked up at him. I definitely had it bad. “Do you want to dance, or do you want your drink?” Parker murmured against my hair.
“I think my corset is too tight to dance.”
“Then you can faint daintily in my arms.”
