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)
The red on her cheeks deepens in color. “Harper told you about the call?”
“You were on speakerphone,” I answer. Needing to set her at ease, I lean a little closer and capture her eyes. “Don’t feel embarrassed. It’s normal to be anxious when you use our service for the first time.” I give her hand another squeeze, my gaze holding hers. “Don’t worry about the call.”
She takes a deep breath before helping herself to a couple of sips of her wine.
Her eyes flit between me and her plate of food. “Is it okay with you if I ask questions about your company and personal life?”
“Yes. Go ahead.”
“The men working for you, are any of them married, and if so, isn’t it weird if they go on dates?”
My mouth lifts into a smile as I answer, “Some are married, and before you ask, their wives know what they do for a living. My married employees only escort women to events. They’re not actual dates, and my company has a no-physical-intimacy policy.”
“Right.” She pops a shrimp into her mouth.
“My single employees usually take the appointments where they have to pretend to be in a relationship. I take great care when matching an employee with an applicant.”
The corner of her mouth lifts. “That’s good to know.” Then her eyes widen. “Are you married?”
I let out a chuckle while I shake my head. “No, I’m happily single.”
“Thank God,” she breathes, relief washing over her beautiful features. “If, by some miracle, I use your company’s service again, don’t pair me with a married man.”
“You won’t be paired with someone else. If you choose to use The Perfect Gentleman for the birthday party, then I’ll be your escort,” I say to put her mind at ease.
A breathtaking smile graces her lips. “Thank you.”
“You’re single, right?” I ask to turn the conversation back to her.
“Yes.” She scrunches her nose in a cute way. “But I’ve dated. I’m not always this awkward.”
“You’re not awkward at all.” I give her another encouraging smile.
“Liar,” she teases me, and I watch as she relaxes.
Chuckling, I shake my head at her. “So, besides art, what else do you love?”
“I like going to markets and browsing through the stalls.”
“Were you born in New York?”
She nods. “And you?”
“Me too.” While talking, we finished our appetizers, and I ask, “What would you like for the main course?”
Lillian takes a minute to look at the menu, then says, “I’ll have a rib-eye steak.”
“How do you want it prepared?”
“Medium, please,” she answers as she sets the menu down.
I signal for the waitress to come closer and give her our order.
When we’re alone again, I ask, “Do your family live in New York?”
She nods. “And yours?”
“They live in Short Hills.”
There’s a moment’s silence, then she gives me a questioning look. “What made you start an escort company?” She lets out a chuckle. “Is that even the right term to use?”
“It is.” We’re sipping on our wine as I say, “It was actually my best friend’s idea. He took his neighbor to her prom and saw there was a market for accompanying women to events.”
“Oh, so you and your friend run the company?”
I shake my head, an echo of grief creeping into my heart. “He passed away in a car accident.”
Lillian’s eyes widen. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay. It happened six years ago, so the worst of the grief has passed.”
But I’ll always miss him. Losing Dylan left a gaping hole in my life.
Lillian’s eyes lock with mine, then she admits, “I have to be honest, I didn’t expect the dinner to go so well. You’re really good at putting a person at ease.”
A grin tugs at my mouth again. “Years of experience.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?”
“Thirty-two.”
“And still single?” she gasps. “Why? Or is it by choice?”
“Definitely by choice. I haven’t met the right woman yet.”
“It’s funny,” she murmurs, her attention entirely on me. She has completely relaxed, giving me my first glimpse at who she really is. “We live in a city with eight point five million people, and we can't find the right one.”
I chuckle at her statement. “True.” My smile widens. “Then again, I’ve been too busy at work to date.”
And I don’t care much for the women in my social circle.
Lillian tilts her head, thinking about something. “I haven’t thought much about dating. I spend all my spare time working on my collection.”
“Maybe you’ve already found the love of your life,” I say.
Her eyes narrow slightly. “Who?”
“Your art.”
Laughter bursts from her, the sound carefree and holding the power to make me smile.
“You’re right. No man will be able to take the place of my precious paintings.”
A server brings our main course and fills our wine glasses.
Once we’re alone again, I glance at Lillian and ask, “Is the collection you showed me the only pieces you have?”