Page 115 of Sex Positive
Charlie blinks, processing what he just said. “Tori?”
His mouth quirks. “Short for Victoria.”
“She lets you call her that?”
Theo’s smirk sharpens. “I’m an acquired taste, but I think she likes me.”
Charlie simply shakes her head. Acquired taste, indeed.
She hasn’t seen Victoria since Betsy’s stand-up set a few hours ago. Standing next to Charlie at the side of the stage, she beamed with pride. In a moment of shared cautious optimism, she pulled Charlie into a hug, her gold bangles jingling around her wrist.
“I’m so proud of you,” she whispered, her gray eyes glassy with unshed tears. “No matter what happens, you should be thrilled by everything you’ve accomplished, Charlie. I could not be happier to be by your side and call you a colleague and a friend.”
Charlie’s heart swelled with affection, but she didn’t allow herself to relax. She won’t until this is all over.
“Also,” Theo continues as if she hasn’t said anything, “there’s not much for me to prepare, since today’s live recording ofMale Perspectivewill be my second-to-last show.”
“Oh.” Charlie considers him.“Is that…good?”
He smiles, his expression thoughtful. “I believe it is. You see, someone mentioned once—quiterudely, I might add—that I could use my platform in a much more influential way if I wanted to.” He shoots her a pointed look. “So I’m starting my own media company.”
“Congratulations.” She’s not sure why he’s telling her this. Her walkie-talkie chirps, but she doesn’t catch the words. She scans the crowd, certain she’s needed somewhere.
“Yes. Independent media is all the rage these days, if you didn’t know. I want my company to function as a source of information across multiple media markets. Podcasts, of course, but also newsletters, online videos, social media accounts with multilevel branding. Live shows, eventually. It’s going to be a collaborative effort, providing accurate and engaging content to people of all genders and sexualities.”
Charlie sighs. “Theo, as much as I would love to hear more about this, you once said that you like things direct and to the point. So if you don’t mind, please get there.” She gestures around her. “I’m a little busy.”
He laughs, and she’s momentarily dazzled, unable to deny how handsome he is. “I know you have a habit of turning down men with money, Curls, but I’m wondering if I can entice you with an offer.”
She eyes him curiously. “Go on.”
“I’m calling it Sex Positive Productions,” he says. “We’ll produce modern, inclusive, pleasure-positive content with the goal of providing comprehensive sex education and normalizing discussing sex and everything that goes along with it.”
Charlie’s heart stalls, her full attention on him.
He watches her knowingly. “I’m hiring a team of sex educators, clinicians, therapists, sex toy makers, and ethical porn creators to discuss topics people want to know about but are too scared to ask and can’t find information about because the internet is a black hole of filth. Answers for all ages based on science and real-world information rather than shame and scare tactics.”
Charlie gives her head a slight shake. “What brought this on?”
Theo’s eyes glitter with amusement at her shock. “That’s a silly question. I want to stop contributing, as you so eloquently put it, to the manosphere. I want to change my reputation and putgoodcontent out there. But I can’t do that withoutyou, Charlotte.”
“Me?”
He laughs like she truly delights him. “Tori told me about your pilot program for the fall. Did anything I just say ring a bell? These are allyourideas, Charlie. I need you to be the Executive Director of Programming for Sex Positive Productions.”
A surge of adrenaline bursts in her chest, but she blurts, “You’re not serious.”
“Why not? I needed to ask you before I announce it later at the show.”
His gaze moves to something over her shoulder. Turning, she spots Victoria a few yards away, conferring with someone from the press. Wearing a bright pink blazer, she smiles, smooths a hand down her pressed black slacks, and tucks a lock of her hair behind her ear.
Theo clears his throat. “Anyway, please say yes so I can stop complimenting you on how smart and driven you are and how honored I’d be to have you join my team, et cetera, et cetera.”
“I haven’t graduated yet,” she argues.
He shrugs. “You will soon.”
“I’m not good with social media.”
