We took our seats at the dining table and I noticed a pile of paperwork at Daniel’s place. He picked it up and flipped through the stack.
“I’ve pulled the paperwork from all active members,” he said. “I thought if you were going to be redoing the application process, we might as well have everyone fill out paperwork and resubmit.”
“I was actually going to suggest that. I was thinking it was a good idea because Peter had been out of the mentor program for a while and Ron was still in it when he harassed Dena, so it’s not like we can point to one thing to identify as the breakdown.”
He leaned back in his chair. “I know you and Abby are coming to the party tomorrow night. I’ll be interested in hearing your thoughts after.”
I’d been to the group’s play parties before, but always as a guest. This coming weekend, Abby and I would attend as members. But more than that, we’d be looking for ways to improve safety and security for all members.
“Abby mentioned Sasha wanted to attend this weekend’s party,” I said. “What are your thoughts?”
“I talked to her when she came over to help Julie in the garden. I won’t lie to you, after what happened with Peter, I thought she would never join the group again.”
“She was that bad off?” At first, I’d been alarmed when I saw her. She still looked depressed. She was too thin and her eyes had the look of a person who didn’t sleep very well. But her comeback on the Nate thing showed me she had more fire inside than it at first appeared.
“Yes. She wouldn’t even stay and watch when I collared Julie.”
“But when you talked to her this afternoon?”
“She’s in a better place. I’m okay with her attending tomorrow night, but I’d like for us all to keep an eye on her and be there if she needs us.”
Sasha’s paperwork was on the top of the pile. I picked it up and glanced over it. “Abby said she wasn’t planning to play.”
“No, I know she won’t tomorrow. But I think it’d be good for us to be proactive and have a plan ready for when she is.”
A noise from outside caused us both to turn our heads. The two women had moved to the side of the house with their gardening. Cole stood with them holding a flat of flowers. But what had captured everyone’s attention was the petite woman at his side.
“Cole has company,” Daniel said. “First time I’ve known him to have someone over. Maybe he’s finally getting Kate out of his system.”
“She could be his editor.”
As we watched, he passed the flowers to Julie and then slipped his hand to rest low on the unknown woman’s ass.
“Or not,” I added.
“Yeah, I’m guessing not his editor. Wonder why he brought those back to Julie? I had them delivered to the guesthouse because that’s where she wanted them planted.”
“I saw her and Sasha working by the driveway.”
“She wanted to add some new plants and I want her to think of this as her home, too.” He laughed. “Though I told her I’d like it better if she planted in the nude.”
I chuckled, then glanced back outside. Cole and his friend had left, heading toward the guesthouse. Julie and Sasha appeared to be arguing. Julie looked up and Daniel motioned for her to come inside. She put the container down and walked toward us. Sasha followed, not looking happy at all.
“Hey,” Julie said, once inside. She sounded a bit huffy, and was clearly agitated.
“Did Cole have a problem with the plants?” Daniel asked.
“No, he thought they brought them to the guesthouse by mistake. He was going to take them back, but I told him to leave them. I wanted to fertilize them anyway. Then we can plant them.”
“There’s no we,” Sasha said, crossing her arms.
“Honestly, Sasha. I want to get these in the ground today.”
“I’ll do all the other plants.”
“You’re being absurd.”
Daniel cleared his throat. “Nathaniel, can you get me one of the blank checklists from the bottom of that pile?”
I took the pile of papers and gave Daniel a sheet from the bottom. I lifted an eyebrow. Sasha’s demeanor had changed from when I first arrived. If I didn’t know better, I would say she was being bratty because she was jealous. The look on her face reminded me so much of one Abby got when Charlene’s name was mentioned. Daniel nodded. He’d picked up on it, too.
“Sasha,” he said. “I need you to fill out a new checklist. You can give it to either me or Nathaniel at the next play party.”
Her cheeks were flushed when she took the paper. I hadn’t realized how pale she was until I saw the dark splotches on her cheeks.
“Thank you, Sir,” she said. “I was going to ask for a new one.” She looked back at Julie. “I’m going to fill this out. I’ll be back in a bit.”
Julie shook her head as Sasha walked away, but gave Daniel a quick kiss and headed back outside to finish.
“There’s something else I wanted to talk to you about,” Daniel said. “There’s a tri-state BDSM chapter starting and they’re looking for someone to lead some demos. I don’t think Julie’s ready for something like that, but I was wondering if you and Abby might be interested.”
“When and where are the meetings?” I asked, thinking it might be a fun way to further explore Abby’s exhibitionist side.
“The schedule’s still being worked on, but the first meeting is in Pennsylvania. I can give you the name and number of the person in charge if you think it’s something you’d be interested in.”
“That would be great. I’ll definitely talk to Abby about it.”
As I thought, Abby was excited about the possibility of the demos. I waited until we’d put the kids to bed and she came downstairs to the living room, where I was preparing for work the next day. I looked up as she entered and smiled when I saw what she had on.
“You look sexy as hell,” I said, appreciating the long silver gown she’d changed into.
She shot me a sultry smile and sat on the floor near my feet. I ran a free hand through her hair.
She hummed and leaned into my touch. “Mmm, thank you. I thought you might like this.”
“I like it very much.”
We sat in the stillness for several minutes. It was one of those rare and precious moments when everything seemed right, and I wanted to drink it in. My children and my wife, all together with me, healthy and happy. There was nothing more I wanted.