Chapter 9 Twenty Grand - Avery
Coffee. I needed coffee.
After getting maybe four hours of sleep, I woke up, depleted my bank account, and sent every penny I had to Jax.
Everything except twenty dollars—brunch with my girls was necessary. And coffee? Even more so.
“Wow. You look like hell.” Andi and Peyton spoke at the same time as I set my purse on the bar and grabbed a seat.
“Can’t argue with them.” Colton winced, placing an ice water in front of me. “Hungover?” His eyes roamed over the bird’s nest of messy curls from the night before tied onto the top of my head.
“I wish that were the case. Hey, do you mind if we move from the bar to a booth where it’s a little more … private?” I asked.
“Sure thing, gorgeous. Just let me know what you want to eat and drink, and I can run it over to you when it’s ready.”
The three of us all ordered the same thing, making it easy—a traditional breakfast and coffee.
Still sick to my stomach from last night, I doubted I’d eat all my food anyway.
We sat around a booth, the same one Spencer and I had used to get to know each other over a couple of drinks, this time sipping on hot coffee instead of whiskey.
“Catch us up to speed, girl.” Squaring her shoulders, Andi placed her palms on the table.
Both of my friends looked at me with concern.
“Ugh. Where to start?” I took a sip of my coffee, relaxing my shoulders just a bit.
“Start with your run in with the stallion while you were working.” Peyton winked, reminding me of where our conversation left off last night.
They’d be in for a treat when they found out that just when I thought my night couldn’t get worse, it did. But this time, in an entirely different kind of way.
“My client hired me to go to this fancy gala. Turns out, he runs in the same circle as Spencer. Let me just tell you, when my client introduced me as Sky, things got insanely awkward.”
Jaws dropped, eyes widened, and laughter filled the corner of the bar. The moment that felt like a travesty in the beginning of my night suddenly became lighter as I recalled the memories of what came later.
I shared each detail. From how he lingered around and waited for me to leave, then hopped into my cab, directing the driver to take us to his place. Each event that took place last night rolled off my tongue so easily compared to what I hadn’t yet told them.
How the rest of the night unfolded, and how I left his place when I felt his eyes gazing into mine—a kiss mere centimeters away.
Oh, how I wish I would have kissed him and endured the pain of not being able to have him in return for the visit from Jax last night.
Food was delivered and coffee had been refilled. Now, it was time to drop the bigger bomb.
“When I turned off my phone, I got an unexpected visit from Jax.”
My friends looked at each other then back at me.
“Him stopping by unannounced only reminded me of everything I’ve already known…” I swallowed before choking on the words that came next. “I definitely cannot entertain whatever the hell is going on between me and Spencer.” Gripping the porcelain cup, the heat calmed my shaky hands.
I needed to forget all about Spencer. Even if he was a hot as hell distraction and a glimmer of hope in the dark world I’d been living in. Work had to come first before I could entertain any kind of relationship that would last longer than one night.
Work. Make money. Pay off Jax.
“But what if he’s the best thing that’s never happened to you?” Peyton’s voice was soft.
“You know how it goes in this line of work. It was never going to work anyway.” I shrugged as if I wasn’t bothered, but deep inside there was a tiny knot building in my stomach full of disappointment.
“Wait … No, fuck that. What do you mean Jax visited? He came to your fucking place?” Andi mumbled with a mouth full of bacon and eggs.
“I got so busy. Distracted, I guess. The days completely slipped away from me, and I didn’t realize I was late to pay him.”
“Avery, I told you we can try and get help. This isn’t okay. This is extortion. He can’t just come to your home and threaten you.” Her hand reached out for mine, forcing my eyes to look up to hers.
“Yeah, Ave, this isn’t right,” Peyton doubled down, furrowing her eyebrows.
“It’s fine. I promise. I’ll work overtime, and in less than a year, I should have everything paid, and this can all be behind me.” My phone dinged, as if knowing I needed an excuse to tear myself away from this conversation.
“Oh my God.” My jaw dropped.
“What is it?” Peyton asked in a worried tone.
“Is it him?” Andi panicked.
“No. Uh, it’s a job for tonight.”
“Okay, so why does it look like you’ve seen a ghost?” Andi scooted closer to me, taking a glance at my screen.
“It’s a big job. I don’t think I’ve ever had one this big.” My heart pounded as I continued to read through the message. “He’s willing to pay twenty grand for the night.”
“Holy shit.” Peyton coughed, almost spitting her coffee out.
“Yeah. Fuck. I have to get going. I need to respond to this ASAP, so I don’t lose the opportunity.” Sifting through my wallet for cash, my mind was all over the place—scattered being an understatement.
“Hey, we got this one. Get out of here,” Andi offered me a warm smile.
“Thank you, I owe you one. Both of you.”
Taking a strip of bacon for the road, I hugged both of my best friends and waved to Colton on the way out. I couldn’t help but think about how this job could put me a few weeks ahead of schedule. It definitely wasn’t one I could miss or turn down.
Hopping out of the cab, I rushed back to Ol’ Red, pulled out my laptop, read over the details of my potential client, and immediately responded to his e-mail.
Name: Cameron
Age: 40
Reason for inquiring: Looking for an overnight date tonight. No physical activity required. Private setting. Five-star meal.
Straight to the point.
Twenty grand for an overnight date and I didn’t have to pretend to be into the guy? What was the catch?
Hitting reply, I shot back a confirmation message.
Hi Cameron,
I’d be happy to meet you tonight. Just let me know what time you’d like me to arrive and when it makes sense in your schedule for me to leave.
I see you requested a private setting—please provide me with any details necessary so I can plan accordingly and dress appropriately.
My only request is that we meet in a public setting to begin our evening.
Please let me know if you have any other questions,
Sky
Unsure of when he’d be requesting our meet up, the panic set in.
I needed to start getting ready or at least laying out some options for what to wear.
Luckily, I just went to the laundromat and had a clean batch of clothes.
Tearing through the bin, I picked out a few casual options—jeans and sequin tops.
On the other end of the spectrum, I chose a few upscale dresses of all different lengths, something that would fit any occasion.
Someone requesting me for twenty grand screamed fancy, and it was in my job description that I’d dress to look the part.
Ding.
Okay, that was quick.
Sky,
Please meet me at three o’clock for drinks before dinner.
We can meet at The Chandelier Bar in the Cosmopolitan.
I’ve rented us a private room at one of my favorite restaurants, so I hope that helps you understand how you should dress.
I’d never want to tell you what to wear.
But please, bring a casual change of clothes for later this evening.
Leaving in the morning is up to you. I only require that I get to feed you breakfast before you leave.
See you soon,
Cameron
Okay, Cameron.
What in the fuck kind of gentleman like Cameron was on an escorting site paying thousands of dollars for conversation over a few drinks and extravagant food?
One thing about doing this job … it was never the same. Surprises lost their shock factor a long time ago.