Page 94 of Pretty ’n Peak

Austin lit up for a moment. Did that mean his homework was contacting Mateo?

“I’d like you to go somewhere that’s part of the kink scene. Club, munch, play party… preferably somewhere that you already feel comfortable.”

Oh. He tried not to let himself be disappointed as he continued to listen.

“Use that time to really envision yourself as a competent, engaged Dom again. You don’t have to act on anything, though you shouldn’t rule that out. If you decide you’re ready to play, listen to that. You also might think about it and realize that the kinky chapter of your life is over. But your homework is just to imagine yourself filling that role with all of the enthusiasm you had with Mateo and see how it feels.”

“Alright.” Imagining anything with Mateo was surprisingly easy.

“You asked at the beginning of the session if it was possible that your relationship with Cam was the primary reason that you’d lost interest in kink. I can’t answer that for you, but I can tell you that it’s entirely possible. In fact, it’s more common than you think.”

That assessment was surprisingly liberating.

Because if this funk that he’d been in—or depression, he supposed—was all caused by Cam… and his work… and it wasn’t just him…

God, that was a lot to think about.

But he had a week of homework to figure it out.

“Anything else?”

“Just give yourself permission to do things that you love again. Alright?”

“Yeah.” Somehow, he found himself smiling.

“I’ll see you at the same time next week.”

Austin walked out of Taja’s office feeling… light.

It felt like he’d been up there for hours, with the way that his world had been shaken up and put back together again.

But the sun was still bright overhead. In fact, it was only six-thirty—earlier than he’d usually leave the office.

What was he going to do with himself now?

He was in a different part of town than usual, but he could make out the maroon shade umbrellas of a restaurant or cafe with outdoor seating at the end of the block.

Taja had told him to do things that he loved.

What if he just… went out to dinner? Somewhere nice, in the sunshine, instead of picking up take-out far too late at night?

He sauntered over, cane clicking against the sidewalk.

“Be right with you,” a woman’s voice came, along with a flurry of movement and a blur of dark clothing. “Sit anywhere.”

He chose a table along the partition from the sidewalk, feeling the breeze on his face and the hum of people passing by.

He didn’t know what kind of food they served, but everything smelled delicious. Fresh bread and tangy sauces.

Normally he’d look up the location and then find the menu online to be prepared, but instead he just sat and let things drift through his mind.

Who would he want to hang out with, if he had to meet up with somebody?

Three people came to mind. Then two more.

The strange thing was… he felt like he actually wanted to go out and see people.

He’d liked hanging out with Jamie, Sebastian, and Carlos over the weekend.