The gals had danced around the atrium to Green Day as they boxed up the florals and tossed the linens in the dry-cleaning bag. Nat had been whispering about something to Isabella all night, and I hadn’t hidden the smile on my face when Isabella’s eyes kept catching me across the room. Her cheeks would blush every time.
I was used to the quiet whispers followed by silly giggles that ensued when girls got together. I’d lived my whole life being surrounded by it. I couldn’t help but smile at how easily Isabella would fit in with my rowdy sisters at a Sunday dinner at my mom’s house.
I needed to clear my head of my daydreams about Isabella before I walked into a meeting with her brother. I cleared my throat and tapped my knuckles on the doorframe of Dom’s office. He and Liam sat together, scrutinizing some paperwork.
“Hey man, come on in,” Dominic said from behind his desk.
I had been amazed at what Dom and Liam had decided to create together when I first heard about their idea. Dom had always been quiet and calculating. He kept to himself and made his own moves in private. One day, you’d look up, and he was ten steps further than he had been the last time you noticed.
It was an immediate yes when they asked me to come on board, especially with the leeway they gave me to study. While working in a sex club was never on my bucket list, the environment of the Prism Society was anything but slimy. I’d grown accustomed to the nonjudgemental atmosphere of the club and absolutely saw the lure of it all.
Emma, Liam’s girlfriend, had poured her heart and soul into this space to turn it into something magical. Something sensual but luxurious. They were working hard at creating a space, a community, that valued sex positivity and exploration, and I was happy to be a part of that. Even if my mom shushed me every time I dared talk about work.
“I heard the event went really well. Congratulations, Max,” Liam said.
“Yeah, thanks, man. Isabella really helped put all that together honestly, I just showed up.” I slid my hands in my pockets and leaned against a large bookshelf.
“I’m just going to cut to the chase,” Dominic said. “We have a proposition for you.”
“Okay, what’s up?” I asked, my curiosity piqued. Dom was never one to mince words or waste time on small talk.
“I know you met Natalia Beaumont the other night. Well, she’s been a family friend for a long time. Anyways, she came to us the other day with an idea for a new club.” Dominic turned the stack of papers around so I could see.
“There’s a club whose owners have been wanting to sell,” Dominic continued. “It needs a refresh, a little bit of a rebrand, so to speak, but it’s got good bones. We’re thinking we could have it re-opened in just a couple of months.”
I peered down at the paperwork. The building in question was called The Mirage Guild. It was an old building in Greenwich tucked behind a tavern. The owners owned both the tavern and the large space behind it but were ready to retire and close up shop. Dominic and Liam knew it was prime real estate, and it made sense that they wanted to snatch it up.
“Oh, I think I’ve seen this space. You can only get to the club from behind a bookshelf in the tavern, right?” I asked.
“Yeah, exactly,” Liam said, “It’s got loads of hidden rooms and hallways. It’s a really cool space.” His face already held excitement about what they could turn it into.
“We’re thinking of making it more of a wine bar instead of a tavern,” Dominic said, bringing them back to the point. “With you managing it. If you want.”
I paused. “Are you serious?”
“You’ve done great here. I trust you. It just makes sense,” Dominic said plainly like there was no room for doubt.
“I . . . I mean, that sounds incredible.” I found my voice, grappling with the sudden shift in my future. “Managing a whole wine bar? I’d be honored.”
Dominic nodded, as if he had expected no other response. “We’ve seen what you can do, Max. We wouldn’t offer this if we didn’t believe you were the right person for the job.”
Liam chimed in, a grin spreading across his face. “And just think of the pairings you could create with a place of your own. This could really put the Mirage Guild on the map, especially with the unique selections you’ve been championing.”
Dominic leaned forward, clasping his hands together on the desk. “We’ve got Natalia on board for the club side of things, and she’s ecstatic about working with you. Plus, Isabella’s officially our event coordinator now. Her success with the wine and chocolate night was undeniable. We’re looking to replicate that magic on a regular basis.”
My heart skipped at the mention of Isabella. Working closely with her? That was an unexpected bonus.
“So, what about the transition period?” I asked, my mind already racing through logistics. “I’ve got my sommelier exam in a couple of weeks, and then there’s the day-to-day here at the Prism Society.”
“We’ve thought about that,” Dominic replied. “The Mirage Guild won’t be ready to open for another four to six months. That gives you plenty of time to study for your exam and start planning the launch. We’ll look for your replacement here in the meantime, someone to handle the bar while you focus on both your studies and the Guild.”
“And don’t worry about being stretched too thin,” Liam added. “We want this transition to be smooth for everyone, especially for our members. Natalia’s idea is to create a seamless experience between the Prism Society and the Mirage Guild, elevating our wine program to new heights. Your role will be pivotal in achieving that.”
Dominic’s eyes met mine, serious yet reassuring. “This isn’t just a new job, Max. It’s an opportunity to shape something from the ground up, to make it your own. You have our full support and trust. We know you’ll make us proud.”
Gratitude washed over me. “Thank you,” I managed, my voice thick with emotion. “I won’t let you down.”
Leaving Dominic’s office, I fully grasped the magnitude of the journey ahead. The change wasn’t merely a job switch—it marked the beginning of a new chapter in my career, one that could shape my life’s direction. And with Isabella by my side, both professionally and personally, I felt ready to take on whatever challenges came our way. My to-do list had indeed grown, but so had my excitement for the future.
