“The rules are pretty simple,” Desiree begins as we descend the stairs. “You must arrive at least fifteen minutes early, dressed in cocktail attire. You may have no more than two drinks at the bar before your session. We don’t want our members getting drunk. You’ll need to be in your room at your scheduled time. If for any reason you’re running late, you need to call and let me know. If you cross paths with another member, you’re free to engage in casual conversation, but try not to ask personal questions. Our members pay a lot for privacy, and we don’t want them to feel uncomfortable. They’re here for one thing.”
Sexual fantasy.
I nod in understanding as we reach the bottom of the stairs.
“You’re required to wear a blindfold during your sessions, because while we go to great lengths to protect our members, we also protect the identity of our fantasy guides.”
“Am I required to wax?” I blurt randomly.
Desiree chuckles. “It’s your fantasy, Makayla. You can do whatever you want with your body. If you want to grow a bush, that’s entirely up to you. Our fantasy guides are here to please you, not the other way around.”
That makes me laugh. “Okay.”
The application process takes about a week, then another week to set up the membership. Aside from the STD test, I’m not worried about the application. I’m more concerned with the cost of the membership. Honestly, I can’t think of anything better to spend Victor’s money on, but I already know I can’t afford a membership. However, Desiree insists on covering my first session.
“Why would you do that for me?”
“Because you’re a friend of Heather’s, and I like you. I think you deserve to experience one night at Veil.”
Chapter Eleven
Cannon
My cell phone buzzes on my desk, and I look at the screen to see Desiree calling.
“How’d it go?”
“Are you fucking kidding me, Cannon?”
A grin tugs at my lips. “Is there a problem?”
“She’s a child.”
“She’s twenty-two.”
“What are you going to do with her? She doesn’t even know what she likes.”
“How is that her fault?”
“I can’t believe Victor.” She sighs heavily into the phone.
“She’s beautiful. Can you blame him?”
“I guess not, but it explains a lot.”
“She’s curious. Twelve years ago, you were a curious twentysomething,” I remind her. “That’s why Veil exists.”
“Whatever.” She snorts. “Have fun with your pillow princess.”
I smirk. “I plan on it.”
Chapter Twelve
Makayla
“Knock, knock,” Heather calls as she walks through the front door carrying a large gift basket wrapped in cellophane.
“What is that?”
“Housewarming gift.” She grins as she places it on the breakfast bar.
“You didn’t have to do that.” I gesture around my apartment. “This place is more than enough.”
After our trip to Veil two weeks ago, Heather dropped me back at the hotel and left to run some errands. The next day, she came to the hotel, helped me load the five suitcases into my Jeep, and then had me follow her to a beautifully remodeled apartment building her brother gifted to her for graduation. She was already halfway moved into her apartment and offered to rent me any of the three available. I chose the upstairs apartment across from hers.
We spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening shopping at IKEA and Magnolia Park Village.
Heather waves me off. “It worked out perfectly. I needed a tenant, and you needed a place to live.”
Once I got settled in, I called my parents to let them know Victor and I had broken up but that I was fine and staying with Heather, the girl they met at graduation. My mother was devastated, but my father seemed relieved.
“Speaking of tenants….” I grin. “Who’s the hottie who just moved in downstairs?”
She blushes. “His name is Jesse Carver. He’s a full-time firefighter and a part-time tattoo artist at Inkubus over in the village.”
“And did Jesse get one of these fabulous housewarming gifts?” I tease, fighting back a smile.
“Shut up and open your gift.”
Grabbing the scissors from the drawer, I cut the top of the cellophane and rip it away. Inside the basket is a bottle of champagne, two champagne flutes, all six seasons of Sex and the City on DVD, and a card.
“I wasn’t sure if you could use those because who watches DVDs anymore?”
“I do,” I admit with a snicker as I peel open the envelope and slip out the card.
In a world full of Charlottes, be a Samantha.
“Aww, Heather.” I open my arms and wrap her in a hug. “You’ve been such a good friend to me these past couple weeks. Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” She plucks the bottle of champagne from the basket and sticks it in the refrigerator. “We need to get this nice and chilled so we can celebrate later.”
“Oh?” I drawl. “What are we celebrating?”
Reaching into her back pocket, she pulls out a shiny black envelope not much bigger than the one holding the card in the basket. “This came today.”
Taking the envelope from her, I tear it open and pull out a black plastic card that looks like a credit card with “Veil” written in red.
I slap the card to my chest and grin. “When are we going?”
“We can go this weekend.”
I squeal in excitement and do a little happy dance.
“Just make sure you call Desiree so she can put you on the calendar,” she adds. “Her number’s on the back of the card.”
I turn and scan the apartment, looking for my phone. “Let me do that now.”
“So how’s the job hunt going?” Heather asks as she sashays into the living room carrying two champagne flutes.
“Not bad.” I close my laptop and set in on the coffee table. “I sent out five résumés today. I have a Zoom interview on Wednesday and another on Friday.”
She passes me a flute, then drops down at the end of the sofa facing me. “That’s good.”
“How do you like working with your brother?” I ask, stretching out my legs and propping my feet on the edge of the
