“I miss him,” Olivia said, and tried to wipe the sad pout off her face. “And my vibrator died this morning.”

“Well, that’s easily fixed.” Sadie pulled out her wallet and dropped some money on the table. “Let’s get out of here and go sex toy shopping.”

“Cade’s going to make me video chat him tonight if I buy a new vibrator,” Olivia mused.

“Then we better find you a good one,” Sadie decided. “Amanda? You in?”

Amanda laughed and pulled out her own wallet. “I don’t have anything else to do. Rebecca?”

“Fine, but I have to call Nick first.”

“No Doms allowed,” Sadie admonished as Rebecca lifted her phone to her ear. “This is strictly a submissive shopping party.”

Olivia looked at Amanda. “I was just going to order a replacement online.”

“This will be faster,” Amanda said as Rebecca tried to keep Sadie from grabbing her phone. “And more fun.”

Olivia pulled out her own phone to text Cade a head’s up. Going vibrator shopping with Sadie. Be afraid.

It took him ten seconds to send a reply, and she laughed when she saw the message.

Buy two, and be available for a video chat at eight o’clock so I can see what you bought.

“What?” Amanda asked, and Olivia turned the phone.

Amanda scanned the message and laughed. “Looks like you know him pretty well.”

“Yeah.” Olivia read the message again, just because she could. “I do.”

“Just enjoy it, Olivia,” Amanda said quietly as Rebecca and Sadie continued to bicker. “And when the time is right, tell him what you want. You won’t get it if you don’t ask for it.”

Olivia nodded and tried to ignore the voice in her mind that whispered, But sometimes the answer is no.

* * * *

Two nights later, Cade was hanging out in James’ basement for the monthly Tops & Doms meeting. He’d missed the last couple due to work, and was enjoying the opportunity to catch up with his friends. The gathering was informal, a chance for those who identified as Tops or Doms to get together and talk about their kinks, their relationships, and the unique challenges of both. There was a Bottoms & Submissives group as well that met at the same time, though in a different location. In fact, it was being held at his house tonight, with Olivia playing hostess.

He was glad to see her venturing out into the community a bit more. Though she still had that quiet core of reserve, she’d begun to socialize more freely, and seemed to have formed a close bond with several of the submissives in the scene. She often made plans with Rebecca, Amanda and Sadie when he was out of town, and he knew her texts on those days would be full of joy and laughter.

He liked seeing her happy.