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Oh fuck. I was so getting fired.
“Riley, we asked you to stop by,” Catherine said, “because we wanted to tell you in person how proud we are of you.”
“I can explain,” I said. “I made a few mistakes last night, but I’ve already learned from them, and I… wait, what?”
Celeste laughed, a tinkling, high-pitched sound directly contrasting her gravel-packed speaking voice. “We’re so proud of you, darling. Mr. Steele dropped by our office this morning and had nothing but good things to say. He was very pleased with you.”
“He…he was?”
“Yes,” Celeste said. “So much so that I feel safe saying that our one hundred percent guarantee with our clients is very much back in play. Don’t you, Catherine?”
“Yes,” Catherine said, her sharp gaze making me squirm. “Do you feel you didn’t do well, Riley?”
“I think there’s room for improvement,” I said.
“Well, you’ll have your chance,” Celeste said. “Mr. Steele made it very clear he would be booking with you again.”
“He did?” I asked.
“Yes,” Catherine said.
I slumped back in my chair, my stress and anxiety disappearing in one fell swoop. I was almost giddy as I stared at Catherine. “I…well, that’s great.”
“Indeed,” Catherine said. “Your payment for the two hour appointment has been processed and deposited into your bank account.”
“Thank you,” I said.
“As well,” Catherine reached into her desk and produced a small white envelope, “Mr. Steele asked us to give you this.”
I took the envelope from her. “I… what is it?”
“Oh, it’s most likely a tip,” Celeste said. “A few of our clients appreciate the value of our employees and like to show that appreciation monetarily.”
“Oh,” I said. “That’s, um, that’s so nice.”
“It is,” Catherine said. “Mr. Steele did mention he won’t be requesting you this weekend due to prior commitments, but Celeste and I have no doubt he will request you the following week.”
“I’ll be available,” I said.
“Good. Now that we’re back in his good graces, we’d like to stay there,” Catherine said. She glanced at her watch, and I knew a dismissal when I saw one.
I stood, and Celeste said, “We did want to talk to you about one more thing, darling.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Well, now that we know you have a proclivity for this type of work, we suggest you consider spending time with more than one client. Many of our employees juggle two or three clients. Catherine and I know your money situation is tight. Finding another client you connect with as well as you did with Mr. Steele will only benefit you.”
I stared at the sisters, a mess of jumbled thoughts tumbling about in my brain. But one thought kept pushing to the front, a combination of horror and outrage that I would even consider being another man’s good girl. I was Mr. Steele’s good girl, and that’s how I liked it.
Riley, stop it! Your baby duck imprinting on a client after only one play session is ridiculous and inappropriate. Do what the sisters suggest. The more money you can make, the less you’ll have to go without. You can help your mother without putting yourself into poverty.
All that was true, but when Celeste touched my hand and said, “Riley? What do you think?” I shook my head.
“Thank you, but it’s so busy with my other job right now that I can’t manage more than one client. But if that changes, I’ll let you know.”
“All right,” Celeste said. “Just know that it is an option. Have a fantastic weekend, darling.”
Five minutes later, I was sitting in my car, my hands shaking as I ripped open the envelope from Mr. Steele. A crisp one hundred dollar bill slid into my hands, and I squealed loudly before hugging the money. “Thank you, Mr. Steele!”
