Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
That’s when I get prissy and uptight.
“No, I didn’t google Nico,” I say with a sniff. “I don’t need to.”
Lark looks genuinely surprised, blinking her big brown eyes at me.
“Are you serious, Pet? That’s like the first thing I do. That’s the first thing everyone does. You have to look this dude up on google and check out all his social media because maybe he’s dealing drugs or something. Hell, you should even be checking out his family and friends’ social media too!”
I snort.
“He’s not dealing drugs, Lark. Why would you put something like that on social media anyways? It would just get you arrested.”
My buddy shrugs.
“People do, but they’re discreet about it. It’s all coded with words like, “Do you enjoying flying?” or “Looking for ski bunnies to party with.” These dudes aren’t stupid.”
I merely roll my eyes again.
“Trust me, Nico Matthews is not selling drugs on-line.”
But Lark perks then.
“Okay, so you said his name is Nico Matthews?” she asks, already fumbling for her phone. “Then I’ll do the search for you.”
But I stop her.
“No don’t, because I hate doing things like cyber-stalking,” is my firm command. “It’s so cringe-worthy, and I don’t want to fall into that hole. I mean, I want to enjoy the process of discovery and getting to know someone through our interactions. It feels wrong to snoop on someone like I’m a private eye or something.”
But Lark looks at me like I’m crazy.
“Yeah, but isn’t that the whole point?” she asks in a confused voice. “I mean, you don’t want any big surprises later down the line, and again, you’d be surprised at how secretive people are. Sometimes, there are dudes who’ve done time in jail, and they never even bring it up while you’re dating. To be honest, they figure that you probably already know, seeing that everyone stalks everyone else.”
I stare at her.
“Nico has not done time in jail, Lark. He wouldn’t be the CEO of Key Largo if he had.”
My friend just shrugs again.
“No, that’s just an example. But yeah, the Bureau of Prisons has a database of prisoners online, if you’re interested …”
I have to laugh at that.
“Nico Matthews has not done time behind bars, Lark. I feel confident on that one. Besides, I want to keep things natural. It’s more mysterious and romantic to get to know someone organically. Plus, it’d be so awkward for him to bring something up when we’re on a date, and then I have to pretend I don’t already know because I’m some crazy on-line stalker.”
My friend frowns at that, her pretty pout pulling down at the sides.
“That’s true,” she says in a slow voice. “But Petunia, you know we’re hostesses, so we’re not exactly going out on ‘dates’ with these guys.”
I realize my error immediately.
“Oh, I totally get that,” I say quickly. “It’s just that, well, when Nico took me out last time, it felt like a date. I mean, we went out on his boat off Long Island Sound, and it was super romantic and he was really sweet. He waits on me hand and foot, and there’s no reason for him to extend himself like that.”
Lark nods thoughtfully, biting her lip.
“Hmmm,” she hedges. “I see.” Meanwhile, I continue in a rushed voice.
“In fact, Nico doesn’t make me feel as if I’m a hostess getting paid to keep him entertained. We go out on a lot of dates, off premises too. Like the other week when we went to see a play together, and the weekend before that when we caught an exhibit at a museum.”
“Okay,” Lark says carefully. “Those are definitely plusses, for sure. I guess I just want to make sure that you’re being safe, Petunia. You know how our profession is. The first rule is to not fall in love with clients, and it’s hard because they can be handsome, rich, charismatic, and as charming as all get-out. But Petunia, hon, it kind of feels like you’ve gone down the rabbit hole already.”
That makes me come to a full-stop as my heart pounds in my chest. Have I fallen in love with Nico? Or am I on my way to falling in love? The truth is obvious even as my chest grows tight.
“I have, haven’t I?” I acknowledge in a soft voice. “Oh shit.”
Lark nods and takes a deep breath.
“Don’t worry because all is not lost, girlfriend. Okay, how about this? We’ll compromise,” she proposes. “I’ll google Nico for you, just to see if there’s anything crazy about him out there. So long as there isn’t, I won’t tell you about it. That way, you retain your aura of innocence.”
I think about it for a few moments before smiling.
“Okay, yeah I suppose that sounds fine, but tell me if there’s something really interesting about him, although I don’t think there will be.”