Page 62 of Sex Positive

He peers at her in confusion, but then a sharp knock on the door startles them both.

“Wesley, darling,” a familiar voice croons. “Are you finished fellating yourself?”

Wes whips open the door, revealing a grinning Theo.

“Hilarious. What are you doing here? You weren’t supposed to get in until Tuesday.”

Theo flops onto the sofa, and Teddie jumps on his belly a second later, curling into a loaf. “I booked the first train out. I had someveryexciting news to share with Vicky—” He notices Charlie next to Wes, and his expression flickers with rare surprise. “Charlotte! I almost didn’t see you there! You’re positively glowing!”

Charlie ignores him. “Don’t call her Vicky. Why did you want to see Victoria?”

He waves a lazy hand through the air. “Oh, you know. This and that. But since you’re here now, I’m happy to share the news.”

Retrieving her phone from where she left it on the table, Charlie sees a notification for a missed call and a few unread messages from Victoria.

“Vibes Come First called me today,” Theo says with such insouciance, it takes another moment for Charlie to process what he said.

“Wait—”

“Apparently, they wereveryimpressed with Victoria and her recommendations for how to incorporate vibrators in the bedroom, and they want to set up a meeting to discuss a collaboration. Some kind of educational series?” He shrugs like this is the least interesting thing in the world.

Charlie freezes with shock.

Theo runs a hand up and down Teddie’s back. “Anyway, she can tell you more about that piece, but I do believe something was mentioned about a large donation to the clinic? As well as the fact that they’d like to restart their partnership withMale Perspectiveif I agree to have Victoria on again for more sex-positive episodes.”

Charlie glances at Wes, confirming what she’s hearing is correct. His face reflects her bewilderment.

Theo chuckles softly. “I guess you could say the podcast was a good idea, Charlotte.”

Sixteen

“I can’t believethe turnout tonight.”

Victoria stands at the front of the large conference room, a pleased look on her face. The screen behind her shows the last slide of the presentation for that evening’s Doughnuts and Dildos talk. One of Victoria’s colleagues from labor and delivery at the hospital joined for the first half to discuss navigating dating with genital herpes. She has a modest social media following and a mission to destigmatize the diagnosis.

The Wild Rue’s weekly event usually draws ten to fifteen attendees.

That night’s event had almost thirty with standing room only.

Charlie exchanges an amused look with Carolyn, who clicks out of the presentation on her laptop.

“And I can’t believe you’re surprised people came here not thinking they might glimpse Theo Fox,” Carolyn muses. She flips her black braids over her shoulders before plucking a leftover doughnut from the box, breaking it in half, and offering a piece to Charlie.

“You really think they did?” Victoria slides into one of the chairs.

“I think you underestimate the effect you had by dressing down Theo on his own podcast,” Charlie replies.

Not only did Vibes Come First pitch Victoria on hosting a video series, but many of the comments on the episode praised the chemistry between the host and his guest. Lots of people requested that Victoria appear on the podcast again—even before Vibes suggested it as part of their sponsorship deal with Theo—and some even inquired whether she would answer sex questions in her DMs or on a later episode.

“You really should have a social media presence.” Carolyn flings herself into another chair. Charlie has enjoyed working with the older girl on events; they share a love of to-do lists and both take satisfaction in planning.

“A bunch of medical professionals are becoming influencers. Social media provides them a wider reach so they can educate people beyond their own clinics,” she adds. “I don’t need to tell you that these days people trust Instagram doctors more than the government entities regulating health guidelines.”

Victoria nods, contemplative. She has no social media presence, preferring to keep her private life private. Carolyn runs The Wild Rue’s page. “We’ll see,” she says. “I’m not sure I have much to add to the discussion.”

Carolyn groans. “V! You underestimate yourself, seriously.”

Charlie grins, and Victoria rolls her eyes.