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Just then, the heavy curtain at the front of the room opens, and they walk through. Jade has her arm looped through Clay’s, and my heart stops. He’s in his dark-gray suit with his perfect hair slicked back like he always used to wear it. She’s in a long, dark-green velvet gown with her hair styled in curls.
They came.
The crowd claps sporadically as I finish my sentence, but then they wait for me to continue. I can’t take my eyes off them, especially as they make eye contact with me.
Jade smiles but then quickly catches herself and wipes it from her face. I love to see her standing up for herself, just like I taught her to.
Putting the mic back up to my mouth, I continue.
“If I’ve learned anything in the past three years, it’s that this place is about so much more than sex and kinks. It’s about love and acceptance and…life. I’ve watched my friends find love here. I’ve watched young people learn to speak up for themselves,” I say, glancing at Charlie.
“I’ve watched friends turn into lovers,” I add, glancing at Drake and Hunter in the back with Isabel in front of them.
“I’ve watched my best friend find new meaning in life.” I glance at Ronan and have to quickly look away to keep the tears from returning.
“This club has changed so many lives, and I’ve been so blessed to watch it, but I’ve learned things too.” My eyes find Jade and Clay at the back, and they don’t leave them for the rest of my speech.
“I’ve learned that people are capable of change, no matter how old they are or what they’ve been through. I’ve learned that no matter how many times you reinvent yourself, you are still the same person worthy of love. I’ve learned that love has many faces and comes in many forms, and all are equally beautiful and sexy. But mostly, I’ve learned that even a coldhearted Dominatrix can make mistakes.”
I can see Jade’s lip tremble from all the way across the room, and I fight the urge to jump from this stage just to hold her.
Somehow, I gather the strength to finish my speech.
“Three years ago, I met a pretty young woman in the bathroom on opening night, and I saw the fear in her eyes because she had stepped foot into a club that could have exploited her. But I knew what she didn’t, that what these owners set out to create wasn’t a place for people to find pleasure or even orgasms. They created a place for people to find themselves. That’s what Salacious Players’ Club has always been, and that’s what I will work to ensure it always remains. Thank you.”
As the crowd claps and cheers, I quickly hand the microphone back to Emerson. He manages to pull me in for a few quick photos before I escape his grasp and rush off the stage.
Then I’m bombarded by people. Friends and clients and strangers rush toward me to pat me on the back or thank me for my speech or offer to buy me a drink. I quickly lose sight of Jade and Clay, and I start to panic that they might have left already.
By the time I reach the other side of the room, where they were once standing, I’m frantic. But when I step out of the horde of people and come face to face with the pair of them staring at me expectantly, I’m so overwhelmed I let out a sob.
“I don’t expect your pity or your forgiveness,” I say, my eyes dancing between the two of them. “I’m so glad you came, and I’m happy to see you together. I had a whole speech planned, but then I got flustered, so now I don’t know what else to say, but I’m sorry.”
Jade licks her lip. I notice the way her arm tightens around Clay’s. I really am glad to see them together. At least they still have each other.
“I liked your speech,” Jade says sweetly.
“Me too,” Clay adds.
I feel like a mess. Any hope of holding back my tears is gone now. I’m not supposed to be sobbing at the club. I’m Madame Kink. What the hell has gotten into me?
But I can’t stop. The sight of them here for me when I asked them to come, the two people who see me more than anyone else does. The two people who make meme.They’re here, and it’s giving me hope.
I step closer to them as people move around us. I touch Jade’s arm and brush gently against Clay. They don’t back away or make me move. If anything, they lean closer. In a low voice, I say, “I told you I could prove I’ve changed. If you let me show you, I can take you to one of the rooms. If you don’t want to, I understand. No hard feelings. I’m just glad you came—”
Jade touches my cheek. “Eden,” she says, stopping me from talking. “Who’s rambling now?” she asks with a smile.
Through my tears, I let out a laugh.
“We want to hear you out,” Clay adds. He’s a bit more guarded than Jade, but I can understand why. I’ve done this to him twice.
Then he cracks a small smile, and it gives me more hope than anything.
“Good,” I reply. Then I reach out my hand, and he takes it. “Then follow me.”
Rule #49: See things from a different point of view.
Clay
