Boyfriend for Hire(32)
Fuck. I sigh and push my hands through my hair. How does he know all this?
“I don’t know. Maybe. But she doesn’t know what I am, what I do for a living. She’d never be with me if she knew the truth.”
“You don’t know that until you talk to her about it. Don’t underestimate her. If she’s as awesome as you say she is, I bet she’ll get it.”
“I kind of doubt that.”
We pause, quickly downing our beers. Case changes the subject as we keep drinking, and by beer three, we’re laughing and talking about the early days, when he first hired me. I had no idea what I was doing or what the job actually was. Becoming a professional escort had a steep learning curve, but it was one hell of a ride.
“Remember when that cougar tried to tie you up without discussing it as part of your contract first? You were such a naive little pup. So many things to learn.” Case laughs, shaking his head.
“I was into it, man! That was all good.”
He chuckles, shaking his head.
“Let’s just not talk about that first time I was with Gia,” I say, smirking.
Case laughs out loud. “I still have that fucking email. It’s hilarious.”
I roll my eyes. “Ha-ha, motherfucker.”
“Yeah, well, you learned quick. One of our best guys, really.”
He claps a hand on my shoulder, and we smile at each other. My head is starting to swim a little from the beers, but it’s clear enough for worry and doubt to creep in.
“I don’t know what else I could do for work. This job is all I’ve ever known.”
“Eh, you’ll figure it out. You’re a smart guy. Plus, who could say no to that pretty face of yours?”
“If I can’t actually do the work? Lots of people.”
Case laughs, remembering another job I botched back in my early days. I laugh along with him while he recounts the story, but in the back of my mind, all I can think about is Elle.
I was serious when I said there’s nothing else I can do besides this job. My résumé won’t be winning anyone over, that’s for sure. And I’ve only known Elle for a few weeks now.
How can I change my entire life for a shot with a girl—no matter how amazing or perfect she seems for me—when I have no idea if we’ll even work out once she learns the truth about me?
Chapter Fifteen
Elle
All day, my stomach has been in knots. I couldn’t even enjoy my lunch at one of my favorite sushi spots downtown.
After my amazing date with Nic last weekend, he stopped responding to my texts or calls. At first, I was hurt, then mad, but now I’m just worried. It’s not like him, and the only logical explanation is that he’s sick or hurt, or . . . worse. I’ve been counting down the minutes until it’s five o’clock and I can go to his place and check on him.
I glance at the clock again, and relief floods through me when I see it’s finally time to go. Rising to my feet, I grab my purse from the file cabinet drawer where I store it during the day, and shove my phone inside.
“Hey, Elle!” Lindsey from reception stops beside my desk, smiling at me.
“Hi, Lindsey. What’s going on?”
Even if I’m not exactly in the mood to chitchat, Lindsey is sweet. We go to coffee together sometimes, so I can’t blow her off and rush for the parking lot like I want to.
“Me and Samantha from accounting are going to grab a drink. The new place around the corner has great happy-hour specials.”
I smile politely and place the strap of my purse over my shoulder. “Sorry, I can’t tonight.”
“Plans?” She grins.
My stomach churns uneasily. I haven’t told anyone about Nic yet, not after Christine’s reaction, but maybe it’s time I do. It wouldn’t hurt to get a little friendly female advice.
I chew on my lip and meet her gaze. “Actually, I’m not sure. There’s this guy I’ve been seeing, and I haven’t been able to get in touch with him the last couple of days. We had this amazing date, and then . . . poof, nothing. I’m wondering if he’s sick or something.”
She makes a face at me.
“What?” I ask.
Lindsay presses her lips into a line. “It sounds like you’re getting blown off. That sucks.” Then she grins again and flips her hair over one shoulder. “Which means you should definitely come out to happy hour. I’ll buy you a margarita.”
I shake my head. “Nic wouldn’t do that. He must be sick or dead. That’s the only explanation.”
Lindsay’s eyebrows dart up. “Trust me, guys do skeevy shit like this all the time.”
I huff out a sigh. “Either way, I’m going to go over to his place and check on him.”
I know him well enough to know that it’s not like him to blow a woman off like that, even if he isn’t interested. At least, I thought I did.
A guarded expression flashes across her features before she smiles at me again. “If you say so. Good luck.”
“Thanks.”
We start off together toward the glass doors in the lobby, but each step makes my stomach churn with nerves. What if she’s right? What if I totally read our date wrong? But my curiosity has gotten the better of me, and I need to know what’s going on.