Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 157032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 785(@200wpm)___ 628(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 785(@200wpm)___ 628(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
“I’ll give him the message, but you know you don’t have to sleep with him, and he knows that, too.”
I think for a moment. What should I do? I want to see him tonight, but not under these circumstances.
“No. I’m sorry.”
“Okay. I’ll pass on the message.”
“Thank you.” I hang up as the bartender puts my drink on the counter. I pick it up and drink it down. Shit, what fucking next? I would have loved to have had a chance to talk to Cameron, but who in the hell does he think he is?
I sit and stare as I think about the night we could have had if he wasn’t such an asshole. Eventually, I click into Facebook and scroll through my feed. A message pops up from ‘Mechanic’.
I narrow my eyes and open it.
Why don’t you want to see me?
I roll my eyes and I reply.
For a smart man, you really are quite stupid.
He responds.
I want a night with you.
I shake my head and drink my drink as I think of something to reply with. Who the hell does he think he is? I text back.
And I want respect.
A reply arrives quickly.
I do respect you.
What are you talking about?
I shake my head and reply.
No. You demanded I leave my job.
AND
You told me that you couldn’t stop thinking about me, and then you went to a strip club to sleep with someone else!
I imagine him reading my response, and the angry look no doubt on his face.
You told me you were having dinner with your mother…
And then I find you working half naked at the same strip club.
You’re not exactly innocent here.
GIVE ME A BETTER ARGUMENT!
I smirk. He is kind of cute when he’s throwing a tantrum. I bite my thumbnail as I think, what will I write. I text.
Why haven’t you called me?
I wait for his reply.
I don’t have your phone number.
Your file is kept in Jameson’s office.
I can’t exactly go and ask him for it.
I sip my drink and write back.
Whose fault is that?
Oh, that’s right. Yours. You lost your phone.
Oopsie.
I laugh into my glass as I imagine his face.
Don’t make me come over there.
I am so angry with you right now.
Stop fucking with my head.
I think for a moment. He is making an effort, so what should I do? I write back.
I’ve been thinking about you.
“Would you like another drink?” the bartender asks.
I nod. “Yes, please.”
A reply comes in.
I can guarantee you that you haven’t been thinking about me as much as I’ve been thinking about you.
Spend the night with me, Ashley.
My breath catches and I frown as I write back.
I’m not a prostitute, Cameron.
You can’t buy me.
A reply comes in.
I know that.
If I could take you out for dinner, I would.
I can’t, so… think of this as a date in a protected environment.
I smile. A date in a protected environment. I think on it for a while, This could either be really, really stupid, or it could be really, really good. I don’t know what to do. I sip my drink while I sit and think. He messages me again.
So… I will meet you in the Exotic lounge at 9pm?
I inhale sharply as nerves flutter in my stomach. Why am I even contemplating this? I take out my phone and ring Eliza.
“Hello.”
“Hello, Eliza. It’s Ashley…” I murmur.
“Hey, Ashley.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “I’ve been thinking about your offer.”
“Yes.”
“Is it too late to accept?”
“I’ll call him back right away and let him know you’ve changed your mind.”
I smile. “Thank you.”
“Come in two hours earlier tonight and I’ll be here. We can go through everything then.”
I nod. “That would be great. I’m very nervous.”
“Don’t be nervous, dear. He clearly had his heart set on you. He’ll be a very happy man.”
I smile as I imagine the night we’re going to have together. “Thank you. See you tonight.”
“Just turn right there, darling.”
I close my eyes in horror and turn to face Eliza. “I don’t think I can do this.”
Why in the hell didn’t I remember the stupid fashion parade? I’ve been walking up and down this damn catwalk for twenty minutes now and I still can’t get it. I’m wobbling all over the place in these ridiculously high shoes.
“Of course you can. You’re a natural.” She smiles calmly.
I look at her, deadpan.
“We’re just perfecting the delivery, that’s all.”
It’s 9.30 and the Escape Lounge is just about to open. Quite clearly, I didn’t think this through at all. I have to do a fashion parade before I get to see him, and now I wish I’d paid more attention to what the girls do in this stupid line up.
“Ashley, come with me.” Eliza holds her hand out. I nervously take it and follow her out the back where she takes me into a room filled with mirrors. She stands behind me and smiles. “Look at yourself. Take a good look at yourself.”