Page 3 of The Upgrade

Jilted Brides Honeymoon Club

“Whatisthat?” Camille takes my phone and holds it so Sara can see it. “Sounds intriguing.”

“Right?” I wave off the waiter who’s heading our way. This moment requires some privacy. “I called the number since the info on the website is a little vague.”

My girls read the copy I’ve memorized.

So your fantasy wedding didn’t happen. Let us help you indulge other fantasies. Call about our discreet, luxury getaways designed to fulfill your every desire.

Sara looks up with big eyes. “What is it, exactly?”

I take another sip of martini. “It’s an exclusive club owned by some eccentric billionaire. A private island near the Caribbean called Crystal Bliss Retreat.” It took me some research to learn this. “The same guy owns a bunch ofnormalresorts, which is where we’d booked our honeymoon. But Crystal Bliss is this entire resort created for women who’ve been screwed in some way.”

Sara blinks. “Screwed like?—”

“Not sex.”Actually— “Well, itisabout sex. That’s what this place is meant for.”

Camille cocks her head. “How do you mean?”

“Fantasies. Women’s fantasies, specifically.” I still can’t believe it’s a thing. From the looks on their faces, my friends can’t, either. “Guests pick from a menu of options.”

“Options.” Sara breathes the word like it’s something sinful. “Like what?”

This is the best part. “You name it, it’s probably on the menu.” The naughty list in my brain unfurls with a host of examples. “Erotic massage. Bondage. There’s a whole section for group sex in every combination you can think of. Two men and one woman. Two women and one guy, or even three or four guys at once, all focused on giving the ultimate pleasure.”

“Damn.” Camille grins. “Talk about a healing journey.”

“Wait.” Sara sits blinking beside me. “You’re really considering this.”

I can’t tell from her voice if that’s dismay or delight. Sara’s not judgy, but she is a bit…sheltered.

“I am, actually.” Might as well lay it all out there. “Look, before I met Brock, I was pretty adventurous.”

“As you should be.” Camille knows my history, since we’ve been friends a lot longer. “It’s important for women to explore their sexuality before entrusting a lifelong partner with it.” She darts an apologetic look at Sara. “If that’s what she wants, of course.”

“Whatever.” Sara flutters a hand to show she’s not taking it personally. “I’m perfectly happy saving myself for Trent. Back to Eve.” She touches my arm and this time I’m sure that’s intrigue in her eyes. “So you’d be paying for sex?”

“Not exactly.” This part tripped me up, too. “You’re paying for sexualhealing. For no-strings pleasure and a chance to explore fantasies you might’ve put off while planning a wedding and a future with someone who didn’t pan out.”

“I think it sounds fabulous.” Camille sips her drink. “And the whole private-island-in-a-whole-other-country thing probably keeps it out of legal hot water.”

“Exactly.” I draw an excited breath, cracking a smile for the first time in ages. “I think I’m doing it.”

“Good for you.” Sara’s sincere as she squeezes my arm. “It’s a lot, but I’m happy for you.Thrilled—I mean it.”

“Thank you.” I take another sip of my drink. “I might need a cat sitter.” I glance at Camille with guilt bubbling up in my chest. “You and your sisters have already done so much for me?—”

“It’s no problem, sweetie. My remodel’s done, so it’s my turn with Bratwurst.” She studies my face with her patented shrink expression. “I love this for you. I haven’t seen you smile like this since?—”

“Since before I caught my betrothed with his dick in my cousin?” Because yeah. That’s what happened.

Funny thing is, I might’ve been fine with opening up our relationship. For fuck’s sake, I own a PR firm whose biggest client is an ethical non-monogamy group. My VP of marketing has an open marriage.

I’m hardly close-minded about this stuff.

But there was nothing ethical about our non-monogamy. We never even discussed the idea. To be honest, he always struck me as a bit…vanilla.

So why was he banging Jacinda in a sex swing installed in his office?

---