Page 156 of The Plus One Pact

“You think?” she asks. “I always see him as a blond for some reason.” She looks to me. “Is that closer?”

I shrug as if I have no idea what the man looks like.

“Come on,” she says. “He records in the studio with you.”

“Does he?” I play dumb.

“He’s handsome,” Romeo says. “She’s told me that much.”

She nods along, hanging on every word, no doubt envisioning one of Cassanova’s epic tales.

After my episodes with Sasha, I invited Romeo onto the show. As an anonymous sex worker, with a slightly-deeper, digitally altered voice, just in case.. The alias was his idea.

I never said, yes, this is the guy I described in the “How Doctor O Got her Groove Back” episodes, but I never said he wasn’t either. I’m good with the truth, with the people in my life who I trust, but with my listeners, I have firmer boundaries these days.

I only share what really happens to me, how I really feel, yes, but it’s always on my terms too. Only what I want to share. Some details, I keep to myself.

My experience with Cassanova, was mine.

The fact that he was my boyfriend—who’s often mentioned on the show as Mr. O—was also my information.

Of course, Romeo-as-Cassanova was a hit from his first episode. Women called in mass to get advice from a professional. Men listened for his stories. Somehow, he never twisted his tales into Penthouse letters. Even when he talked about the older woman who hired him for a threesome, he never came across as a pervert or a cad. Only a curious, open-minded man who genuinely loves bringing people pleasure.

The episodes were such a hit I made him a regular guest. Once a month, Casanova shows up with a story and takes calls. He single-handedly tripled our male listenership. Men love his racy tidbits, and they feel more comfortable taking advice from a former professional.

That’s right. Romeo is no longer Romeo Bonito, at least not officially. His mom opted for ease of division of assets and gifted him his inheritance early, after his brother’s wedding. And between getting Coffee y Amore up and running and returning to school to finally obtain his business degree, he’s busy. Of course, Rome would never admit he’s back in school to prove he can do it to his brother, but, well, that’s between them.

I’m happy he’s happy. The business is doing well. They’ve got three stores and they’re always crowded. It’s too early to say if they’ll take over the West coast or fold from stiff competition. Either way, I can tell he loves the journey. He loves working with Daniel. And he absolutely adores all the challenges of running a small business. The fact he can do it openly is a bonus.

He's always generous with his time, even though he’s busy. He’s good at this relationship thing, and not just for a first timer. He’s good, period.

After we made up, we decided to date more normally. One meetup a week. Talking only. No sex.

That lasted for an entire two weeks, then we were tangled up in the sheets all weekend. But I still held firm on keeping my independence. I’d only see him twice a week. I stayed busy with my friends and hobbies and work.

After a few months, he offered me space in his place. A toothbrush, toiletries, a drawer for clothes. I took a few more to really settle. Then a year to fully invite him into my room.

Now, it’s been two years, and he has a key, and I often get home to see him on the couch. We talk about moving in together one day. Or officially making him Mr. O. One day. Not yet. But one day.

Oddly enough, it was far easier to invite him into my professional world. That made sense. There was an obvious logic. It was scary too, but not the same way. At work, I hold the cards. It’s my podcast. I’m the expert.

At home, I’m on equal footing. I like the feel of it, but it’s scary too.

“I wonder if he’s here?” Romeo’s teasing pulls me to the moment. He is prodding the poor girl. Though I’m sure this is mostly for my benefit. He looks around the space dramatically, stopping on a tall blonde man in jeans and a t-shirt. “It could be him. What do you think?”

The woman nods with gusto. “He is cute.” But the blond guy doesn’t hold her attention. It snaps right back to Romeo. “Wait. Who are you again?”

“I’m just the boyfriend,” he says.

“Just?” Her cheeks flush. No doubt, she’s remembering one of my stories about Mr. O.

I went into great detail about the early stages of our relationship. I never explained Mr. O was also my anonymous sex worker, but, hey, that’s also no one’s business. Only mine.

“Does it ever bother you?” she asks. “Having all those stories out in the open?”

“You’re not telling anyone I look bad, are you, Doctor?” he asks me.

“You don’t listen?” she asks.