AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My lips twist.
“I’m sorry things got so bad you...” his words trail.
“I had to take a job with Todd’s agency as an escort,” I finish his sentence with a lump in my throat.
“I didn’t know how to word it so it didn’t sound like a criticism.”
“Trust me if there was any other way out of this mess, I would’ve considered the alternative, but there are few professions that pay this well.”
“What about your parents?”
“I can’t involve them.”
“Your sister?”
“Ciara is a successful lighting designer. She’s not a tycoon, rolling in millions.”
He nods slowly.
I’m compelled to tell him more. “I spent weeks trying to find a way out, but I had a bunch of angry creditors to pay. The only reason I still have a house to live in is because it’s under my sister’s name. It’s a long story, but our grandparents on our father side rented that place for decades. It’s a big deal we own it. I couldn’t ask my sister to sell that house to pay for my fuck ups.”
I’d rather jump off a skyscraper then ask my family and sister to sell their houses—or mortgage them—to help me out of this mess. This is my responsibility. No one else’s.
He studies me for a long beat. “I’m sorry your former business partner screwed you over.”
“I made some bad decisions and I have to live with that brutal reality for the rest of my life.”
“I’m sure I can help you if you’re willing to open up. I’ve found, in most cases, there’s usually far more than what the press is willing to divulge. I have no doubt in your case, there are important facts that were never made public.”
You don’t know the half of it. “I really appreciate your help, but this is such a touchy subject for me still. It’s too difficult for me to open up about things and this is such a colossal disaster, I doubt you can help.”
“You underestimate my connections, but I can respect your decision if you’re not ready to talk yet. When you are, I’ll be here.”
“Thank you so much for saying that. It means a lot to me,” I conclude, eager to change the subject.
“I have to go back to Silicon Valley.” Oh, no. “My assistant already reserved a flight on a private jet.” This man moves at the speed of light. “I’m leaving later in the day.” More time with him. “I’ll be back in two days. I need to wrap up a few things and start building the New York office by figuring out which of my employees is willing to leave sunny California for the Big Apple. When I’m back, I’ll start looking for an apartment to rent or buy. I love this hotel, but I need a place to call home. I’d take you with me, but it’s going to be two days of boring meetings, and I’m sure you want to get settled back into your old life.”
My old life?
There’s no way anything will ever be the same after this week in Paris with Bryce and his confession. Not to mention, the extravagant necklace he bought me has nothing to do with my old life. Same for the designer clothing, accessories, and shoes.
“Yes, I need to get back into the swing of it—which includes mundane things like cleaning my place. One thing is certain, running to the dry cleaner isn’t on the list of things to do.” My tone is teasing.
He chuckles. “Why is that?”
“Because someone had all the items I wore over the nine days I was in Paris dry cleaned at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.”
“Just making your life a little easier.”
You mean, making my life a little sweeter.
“Habits die hard. I always get that done before I leave a city, because I never know what awaits me when I land in another city.”
“Now I understand.”
“I can leave you money to hire a cleaning lady.” I’m dumbfounded. “You spent the last nine days at my beck and call from morning to night. Take the next few days off. Go to the spa. My treat. Or catch up with friends over lunch. It’s on me.”
I hesitate. “I could use an afternoon at the spa to deal with this jetlag.”
