Had my buddy “K” over last night. Annie had already turned in early, so it was just the two of us hanging out in the living room. We met about a year ago when he reached out to me online. Turns out he’s local here in Portland and part of the kink community. That’s mostly meant he’s gone to some of the local sex clubs with girlfriends over the years. Most of those spots prefer couples over single guys, so he’s always gone with someone.

Anyway, he’s currently between girlfriends and feeling a little restless. We were passing a bowl back and forth, talking about life, relationships, and Portland’s weird little underground scene, when he dropped a question I was not expecting.

He asked if I thought Annie would want to attend one of those clubs with him.

The fuck?

Now, I was pretty stoned at the time. But even in that state, I knew Annie well enough to answer honestly. I said, “Fuck yeah she would.” Because I’m pretty sure she would. At least she’d be curious.

The more he talked about the place he had in mind, the more intrigued I got. Private rooms, themed nights, strict vetting, actual consent culture. Portland really does have some seriously kinky businesses tucked into corners you’d never expect.

By the end of the night, we were both kind of energized about the idea. Not in a reckless way, but in that curious, planning, what-would-that-look-like kind of way.

I don’t know if Annie will say yes. I don’t know if it’ll happen at all. But I will say this: the thought of walking into one of those spaces with her, watching her navigate it with that calm authority she carries everywhere, definitely has my attention.

Portland, man. This city never stops surprising me.