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“Fine. I’m willing to hear more about this, but I’m not making any commitments tonight.”
Henley gives me a shit-eating grin and then walks toward the door. “Have a great night. I’ll see you back at the hotel when you finish.”
“Not so fast, Henley. You promised me dinner,” I say, stopping her in her tracks. “Mr. Lake, as I said, I’m willing to hear more but first, Henley and I need to have a little chat.” I pull a business card from my purse and hand it to him. “Email me the high points and we can set up a time to discuss further, please.”
“Ohmigod, Henley, that was low, even for you! Seriously, a . . . fixer? A dating yogi? A what-the-fuck? Who is Xan? How do you know him? And what makes this guy an expert?”
“KJ, take a breath. I’ve known Xan for years since he’s Nik’s best friend. He’s helped so many other women from what I’ve heard.”
“I still can’t believe you pulled this crap.”
“I thought it would be good for you. Break you out of your comfort zone. Break you out of your workaholic zone too. You need more in your life. You deserve more in your life. I just want you to be happy.”
“Fine. If he emails me, I’ll seriously consider what he’s offering. But right now, you owe me dinner, and I’m ordering the most expensive item on the menu.”
To: Kollyns Parker
From: Alexander Lake
Re: Rules of Engagement
Ms. Parker,
As discussed last night, below are the first two rules that you will need to follow while part of this arrangement.
First, you will take two weeks off work. During that time you’ll focus on the rules I give you and nothing about work. Based on what Henley has said you’re a workaholic who doesn’t have a life outside of her career.
Second, for this to work, you will be living with me in my home. Before you get all up in arms, Ms. Parker, I know this is unconventional. But I’m one hundred percent sure if I leave you in a hotel, you’re going to break the no working rule.
You will need to pack clothes for various occasions, not just casual ones. We will dine out and have other lessons at least three times a week.
Contact me at 555-518-1482 to discuss any questions or concerns as well as to determine a date and time for this activity to occur.
Best regards,
Xan
Is he for real? This man has lost his damn mind. Not work? Blasphemy.
Still, he’s not wrong. I could be called a workaholic. Though he sounds like a dick saying it to me. But it is the next “step” that has me calling Alexander.
After exchanging pleasantries, I say, “I’ve read the email, but there’s no way I am living with you, Alexander. Not only have I never lived with a man, but you are a stranger and that is simply reckless. Quite frankly, if you can’t ‘teach me’—and I use that term loosely out of respect for Henley and Nik—how to ‘date’ while I stay in a hotel, then how good are you actually?”
My tone leaves no room for argument. It’s the way I handle plea deals for my clients. Unlike some of the prosecutors I’ve gone up against, Alexander Lake is unfazed.
“Ms. Parker, if you’re serious about this, then we do it my way.”
“If I agree, I have a requirement as well. My cat, Mr. Big, comes too. I will not leave him at home alone for two weeks.”
Mr. Big is the opposite of his name but he doesn’t know that. A tiny cat that looks like he was colored with orange stripes on one side and grey stripes on the other he’s my furbaby in every sense of the word. Plus, he hates new people. But if I have to stay there, so does Mr. Big, because where I go Mr. Big goes.
“Fine. Bring the cat. Just know, I don’t like animals on counters or around food. He should be kept away from both.”
“If you can control Mr. Big then more power to you,” I retort.
“Each rule must be followed for this to be successful, Ms. Parker.”
I’m praying he doesn’t think he’s some sort of real-life version of Christian Grey because that’s never going to fly with this girl. I’m not signing a contract and he sure as hell won’t tell me when to eat.
