Page 80 of By Invitation Only

“I know, but I didn’t expect you to do it. You’re too cute.”

“Just give me your pinky.” I wiggled my hand. I was convinced I would pinky swear until the day I died. Some things from your childhood just never go away.

Booker dropped his fork and stuck out his right pinky. They locked, and I swore I would never tell Lorelei. I told her almost everything, but I could do this. “Well?” I prompted.

“They have random masquerade parties for Diamond members. You’re required to wear a mask the entire time. It’s about embracing unrestricted love and becoming open-minded.”

“But people do that at the normal parties. I mean, you’ve seen what goes on there.”

“Yeah, but what if Joe Blow has the power to bring your body to a level of complete bliss where you’re almost experiencing an outer body experience? But when you know it’s Joe Blow, you don’t give him a chance because you’re not attracted to him and your eye is on—well, me?”

I grabbed the bottle and poured more wine into my glass. “I have no idea what you just said other than you want me to sleep with another dude.”

He smiled. “Baby, we know that’s not true and will never happen. I’m only trying to explain the secret party.”

I thought about his words, trying to piece them together. “So you’re saying that when you don’t know who you’re sleeping with, you open yourself and get out of your head?”

“Yes.” He took his final bite of carrot.

“But I’m comfortable with you, so I do get out of my head.”

“You, yes. Others don’t. Think about who’s a member. What if Lorie Diaz experienced this with her co-star Ty Sage? Do you think they could ever really work together after sharing a night together?”

“I… I don’t know.”

“Maybe they could. Maybe they couldn’t, but since they work together and have for years, I know for a fact that they will never sleep with each other intentionally. They’re like brother and sister.”

A sour taste formed in my mouth. “Okay, that’s gross.”

Booker laughed. “They aren’t related. They’re just close.”

“I know, but thinking about brothers and sisters…”

“My point is that they could be missing out because they aren’t willing to give the other a chance. Being behind a mask allows people to shut off that part of their brain that cares, and allows them just to feel.”

“Okay, so what else is included in this Diamond package?”

“You’re able to get the high-end liquors at the bar likeCristalchampagne,Vieille Bon Secours Alethat’s imported from Belgium,Glenmorangie Signet—”

“I only know whatCristalis, and really, I’m okay with the cheap stuff.”

“What did you drink when you went with Ava?”

“Huh?”

“Did you go to the bar near the pool?”

I nodded.

“Then you had the high-end liquors. Since she’s Diamond, you were able to get the good stuff. If you were a regular member, you would have to go to a different bar.”

“Okay, but I don’t really need the high-end stuff. Two buck Chuck works just as well.”

“Two buck Chuck?”

“Yeah,Charles Shawwine from Trader Joe’s. Except it’s no longer two dollars. Still cheap, though.”

“Is that what you make me drink when I’m here?”