Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Shaking my head again, I slump back against the couch and stare at the ceiling. “This is what you get for wanting to be spiteful.”
Chapter 7
Callan
When I walk into Harper’s office, it’s to see a frown on her face, her attention on the computer screen.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, taking a seat across from her desk.
“A sensitive application came through.” Her eyes flick to me as she turns the screen so I can see the details.
My eyes skim over all the information, and when I see the photo attached to the file, it feels like I know the woman from somewhere.
“Is she an existing client?”
Harper shakes her head.
I look at the photo of the blonde woman, and it takes a second or two before I remember where I know her from. Starbucks. The introvert.
My eyes flick to her name. Lillian Harrison.
Yeah, that’s definitely Starbucks-girl.
“She didn’t give a date for the event,” Harper informs me. “I’ll have to call her before we decide who to pair her with.”
“Make a shortlist and see who’s available once we have the date and time,” I say. I point to the phone on Harper’s desk. “Call her while I’m here.”
Harper dials the number, and I quickly press the speaker button so I can hear what’s said between the two women.
A moment later, the call is answered with a cautious tone, “Lillian speaking?”
“Miss Harrison, this is Harper Jones from The Perfect Gentleman. How are you today?”
“Oh…ahh…crap,” Lillian stumbles over her words. “I’m sorry. I thought you would reply via email. The call is unexpected. Sorry.”
Harper’s eyes meet mine before she says, “We just need a date and time to arrange an escort for you.”
“Ahh…so, the thing is, I accidentally hit the submit button.” Lillian lets out an audible sigh. “I’m sorry for venting on your website. I didn’t mean to send you all of that…the rambling.”
“It’s okay, Miss Harrison,” Harper says, her tone filled with understanding. “How would you like to proceed?”
“Can we cancel the whole thing? Initially, I wanted to meet for dinner. I don’t even know when the party will be. My friend’s birthday is on October seventeenth, but it’s a Tuesday. She’ll probably have the party the weekend before or after her birthday. I won’t know until the invite arrives. But, like I said, I accidentally submitted the application.”
“Why don’t you go ahead and meet our escort for dinner? If the date goes well, we’ll know who to book for the party.”
“Yeah, I’m not sure.”
I grab a pen and notepad and quickly write;
Tell her we’ll give her a 10% discount for the first appointment.
“We’ll give you a ten percent discount for the first dinner. Treat yourself, Miss Harrison. I promise you won’t regret it.”
There’s a pause in the conversation as Lillian thinks about it, then she murmurs, “If I meet the man and I feel too awkward, can I cancel the dinner at any time?”
“Yes,” Harper replies. “You’ll have complete control over the date. All our employees are vetted, and you’ll be safe.”
“Ahh…okay. When’s a good day to do this?”
“When works for you?” Harper asks. “We’ll work around your schedule.”
“Tonight?” A burst of nervous laughter comes over the line. “If I wait too long, I’ll probably chicken out.”
There’s a flash of worry on Harper’s face because we’re fully booked for the next two weeks.
I quickly write on the notepad again.
Dinner at seven. I’ll go.
Harper raises an eyebrow at me, then says, “Does seven work for you, Miss Harrison?”
“Yes. Uhm… where?”
“You can choose the restaurant,” Harper informs her. “Unless you want us to recommend one?”
“Yeah, sure. I can’t think of one off the top of my head.”
La Magnifique.
Harper reads what I’ve written. “We’ll make a reservation at La Magnifique. Should we pick you up at your home or office?”
“No. I’ll meet whoever you’re sending at the restaurant.” She pauses for a moment, then asks, “Will you let me know who the ahh…escort is?”
“Callan Wright. He’s the CEO of The Perfect Gentleman. I’ll text you a photo along with the reservation confirmation at La Magnifique.”
“Thank you.” Before Harper can end the call, Lillian adds, “And thank you for being so patient with me and not judging me for everything I wrote on the application.”
Harper’s tone is soft as she replies, “You’re welcome, Miss Harrison. If you need more information or just want to talk again before the dinner date, you’re welcome to call me.”
“Okay. Thank you. Enjoy the rest of your day,” Lillian says.
“You too.”
The call ends, and Harper’s eyes lock with mine. “I know it’s not something you like to do, but I think it’s good you’re taking the date. The poor woman sounds like a nervous wreck.”
“I saw her at the Starbucks around the corner a couple of weeks ago,” I admit to Harper. “She came across as the introverted type, and this call just confirms it.”