Page 51 of Twisted Truth

“What? Why? Is the sex not good?” Sterling asks. “I can’t imagine the sex not being good with her.”

I’m stunned into silence for a moment. These two pricks really will say whatever they’re thinking. “We’re nothavingsex. Not now and not in the future.”

“Wait, back up,” Declan says. “What am I missing? I know the contract said you wouldn’t press any sexual advances without mutual consent, but is she not on board or something? Because if she is, why not just have sex with her?”

“It will make things too complicated.”

“You picked her for this without sleeping with her first?” Sterling asks.

“I just met her on Monday. So no, I haven’t slept with her, and as I said, I don’t plan to. Last night we tried to talk over the logistics of how to have this relationship for months on end without sleeping together, or having outside relationships, and what that means for our sex lives. It didn’t go well.”

They both stare at me like I’m crazy.

“What is so difficult to understand? This is a professional arrangement. She’s my employee. I’ve hired her for this extra project, which I know is a bit murky, but I don’t want to completely muddy the waters. We have to keep things professional.”

Now they both burst, howling and laughing like wolves again.

“You’re telling me,” Declan chortles. “You’re telling me thatyou’re going to act in love for all the world to see, and you’re going tolive togetherfor months, without outside relationships, and you’re going to keep things professional?”

“Asher,” Sterling says, wiping tears between laughs. “For someone who’s as brilliant as you are, you’re such an idiot sometimes.”

“This is business, and if there’s anything I take seriously, it’s business. Of course I can keep things professional.”

Another round of howls echo off the walls.

“So, you’re just not going to have sex for however many months this arrangement lasts?” Declan croons.

“I told Ella last night that there are . . . professionals we could hire to fulfill our needs.”

Both of them stare at me again like I’ve grown two heads.

“You did not just say what I think you said,” Sterling deadpans. “Because there’s no way you would say that, for any reason. Because that’s the stupidest fucking thing I’ve ever heard. Ella did not grow up in our world, Asher. She’s not used to the casual way people in our social sphere hire sex workers.”

“Out of curiosity, how did Ella take this . . . suggestion of yours?” Declan asks.

“You just saw how she took that suggestion.”

They’re both now doubled over with laughter. Pricks.

“So, what do you suggest I do then, if you’re so insightful.”

“Just sleep with her, man,” Declan says. “Actuallydate her. You’re going to be doing all the shit involved with dating, anyway. The whole pretend aspect of it is just bound for disaster.”

“And when it’s time for it to be over?”

“Why does it have to be over? Why are you so certain an end date needs to be in place?” Sterling asks.

“Not you, too. You sound like dad.”

“I’m not telling you to go picking through the family jewels to find a wedding ring. I just don’t think there’s a way to pretendto date for the number of months you have ahead of you. Something will give at some point. Why fight the inevitable?”

“You two of all people should know why.”

“What are you so afraid of?” Sterling presses. “It’s not like you’ve never had a relationship end before. You date, and if it goes well, you keep dating. If it doesn’t, you break up. People do it all the time.”

“Peopledon’t have the eyes of the country and the world on them. I do. This has to be flawless. Getting involved for real will make that messy. We need clear lines if this is going to work.”

Declan holds up his hands in surrender. “Whatever you say, brother; it’s your life. But I think you’re wrong.”