Dating Games(42)

“Are you bribing me?”

“Not a bribe. But if I’m to agree to an interview, I’d like to know we’re on an even playing field. If you expect me to share personal information about myself with you, and the rest of the world, I’d ask you do the same in return…minus the rest of the world. So, if you tell me why your ex doesn’t think you’re talented, I’ll answer one of your questions.”

I hesitate, considering his offer for a moment. I could tell him I’m not comfortable with this, but I really want this promotion. I want to finally write something with meaning, something people will talk about for weeks.

“Because he doesn’t think what I do is something to be proud of. I suppose that’s why this interview is so important. This story can get me promoted to assistant editor…of the entire magazine. That will show him I am good at what I do, that I am a talented writer.”

“Why does it matter?” August asks after a brief silence. “If he’s your ex, why do you care what he thinks?”

“It’s not just proving it to my ex,” I respond, not wanting to admit I’m holding out hope that Trevor and I still have a chance. “It’s proving it to everyone who ever told me I should use my English degree to become a teacher instead of writing.”

“Let me guess. Your parents perhaps?”

I exhale a long breath. “You have to understand. Mom was an English teacher and shared her love for the written word with me. When most parents read their children Green Eggs and Ham, she read Pride and Prejudice. My father’s a former English teacher, but is now the principal of the high school. Even my older brother’s an English teacher. They thought I was crazy for wanting to use my degree in English to be a writer. They still don’t think I’m a real writer, since all I write is sex and dating advice. So the opportunity to write an article like this, then getting promoted where I can write more interesting and compelling articles… I finally will prove them wrong.”

“Okay then,” he says after a protracted pause. “What would you like to know about me?”

“Where to start?” I laugh, lightening the tension.

“I find the beginning is usually best.”

“I agree. So, Mr. Laurent—”

“Please, call me August.”

“Okay. August… How did you start doing…” I wave a hand around, “whatever it is you do?”

“The local Escorts R Us was hiring, and I seemed to be what they were looking for.”

My eyes widen. “Really?”

“Certainly not.” He chuckles, something about it causing a shiver to roll down my spine.

It’s an unexpected response and I adjust my posture, squeezing my legs together. He does have a smooth, pacifying voice. I could picture him as a sex phone operator, if that were even still a thing. Is that still a thing?

“I hope you’re not always this gullible.”

“Not usually, but there isn’t much reliable information on the Internet on how to become a high-priced and extremely sought-after escort.”

“Why? Looking for a career change? In case the promotion doesn’t work out?”

“I’d rather not sell my body for money.”

“Ah, but that’s where you have it wrong, Miss Fitzgerald. Yes, men are typically only interested in one thing when they hire an escort.”

“Sex.”

“Precisely, although that’s technically illegal in most states. Escort services get around it by claiming the client is simply paying for the company of the employee.”

“And why do women hire an escort, if not for sex?”

“Companionship. That’s it. Women just want to feel something. They want to be romanced, feel adored. That’s what I do. On the record, I never set out to be in this profession.”

“Is that right?” I jot down notes as he continues telling his story.

“I doubt anyone says they want to be an escort when they grow up,” he jokes. “It just…happened. It was never about taking advantage of women when they’re feeling unguarded. I understand how it looks, especially when I’m selective to whom I offer my services.”

“So you agree you specifically only choose women who are vulnerable?”

“Their vulnerability means they need my services more than someone else. I come in not simply as a piece of ‘arm candy’, but to empower women who are at a time in their lives when they need to feel like they have value. At the end of the day, my goal is to make every single woman who hires me feel beautiful, like they’re worthy of being loved. That’s it.”

“And it works?”

“I like to believe it does. I help these women realize their worth. Realize they’re meant to be more than just something nice to look at while accompanying their powerful husbands to whatever society event is going on that week. Many of my clients grew up in wealth. From their earliest days, they were raised to believe their only role in life was to marry someone of equivalent social standing. It sounds antiquated, especially in these modern days, but trust me when I say the caste system is still alive and well, even here in the land of the free and home of the brave. The haves of this country want to keep the have-nots out of their circle. They’re the equivalent of American royalty. They marry their daughters off to people in their circle, and the cycle is repeated through the generations.