Page 11 of Choosing Scarlet

I wave my hand as if to brush the question aside. “Yes, of course. He made sure of it. The payment was more than I charge, even with my overnight rate, which I hadn’t planned to charge him in the first place.” I pause, biting the inside of my cheek. “That’s not what’s bothering me, though. The problem is how it felt. It felt … different, like there was something more there. And I know how it sounds,” I add quickly, raising a hand before she can interrupt. “I know it’s ridiculous to think something real could come out of it, but it didn’t feel like a typical booking. He asked me to stay, and I could have said no, but I didn’t. I wanted to stay. It felt right.”

“Scarlet, girl, slow down,” Jessie interrupts my ramble gently, placing her hand on my arm and giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Breathe.” I exhale deeply, following her cue.

“Good,” she continues softly. “Now listen to me. I get it. Mr. Fisher is handsome, charming, and probably says all the right things. Most of our clients do. That’s part of what The Network is built on. But you’ve been doing this long enough to know the rule, right? You can’t let yourself get pulled in emotionally. It never ends well.”

She’s right, of course. Every part of me knows she’s right. This is a disaster waiting to happen, and I’m standing right on the edge, ready to jump. It’s completely unprofessional and precisely the kind of thing I should know better than to even think about. So why can’t I stop myself?

Jessie’s tone softens a little, but her eyes stay firm. “You allowed yourself one moment of weakness, and that’s fine. It happens. But don’t let it happen again. You don’t want The Network questioning your professionalism, do you?”

The idea alone makes my stomach tighten. Hearing her say it out loud makes everything sound so foolish. For a second, I feel ridiculous for even imagining that something real could come out of this. My head knows she’s right, but my heart is another story.

“Yeah,” I finally say, nodding slowly. “You’re right. I need to get a grip. I don’t know what got into me. My thoughts are probably still a mess after everything that happened with Seth.” The mention of his name leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, and I take a long sip of coffee to wash it away.

I then take a breath, trying to shift the mood. “Anyway, that’s about it. You’ve helped a lot, Jess. Really.” I force a small smile and wave my hand, desperate to steer the conversation somewhere else. “Now, tell me what’s been going on with you. We have so much to catch up on.”

“Oh no, don’t even try that, missy,” she says, narrowing her eyes and wagging a finger right in front of my face. Her tone is half-serious, half-playful, but I know she means every word. “You’re not changing the subject. We’re not done here until I know you won’t do something foolish. I mean it, Scarlet.”

Her voice softens at the end, but the concern in her eyes doesn’t fade.

Lying to Jessie isn’t an option. She’s one of my closest friends, and she’s always seen right through me. I can’t promise her that nothing will happen when everything in me and in the stars whispers that something between Knox and me is meant to unfold. It feels inevitable, like a pull I can’t resist, so I do the only thing I can.

“I promise I’ll try my best.”

“Good,” she says with a nod, her lips curving into a small smile. “Now we can talk about something else.”

Hours after Jessie leaves, the apartment feels calmer. Her visit helped clear my head, even if only a little. I finally feel like I can breathe again.

Thankfully, the rest of the week is quiet, with only one booking lined up. I decide to use the free time for myself and do things that make me feel grounded. I make a mental list. I have to stop by that new thrift shop down the street, find a few unique pieces for the apartment, and definitely pick up a couple of new plants for the kitchen. I’ve been staring at the same empty corner for weeks, and it feels lifeless. A few plants could bring some much-needed color and calm into the space.

My phone buzzes on the coffee table. The notification tone is familiar; a booking request from The Network.

Perfect timing, I think. A new client means extra money, and I could definitely use that for my little shopping spree. Smiling to myself, I reach for my phone and unlock the screen. The smile fades the second I see the name glowing back at me.

Knox Fisher. Along with a request to book me for the weekend at one of his boutique hotels.

For a moment, I stare at the screen, frozen. My stomach flips, and a rush of butterflies fills me so fast it’s almost dizzying. The rational part of my brain starts shouting that I shouldn’t accept. Getting involved again is dangerous, and it’s crossing a line I’ve already come too close to.

I can practically hear Jessie’s voice in my head, warning me not to play with fire. And she’s right. If I go through with this, I know I’ll get burned. It’s a tale as old as time. Still, my fingers hover over the screen, trembling slightly as I think about him.

The rational part of my mind only has a few moments to convince me not to do it. This is my job. My career. I know better than to mix work with feelings. But as much as I try to remind myself of that, my heart beats faster, drowning out every sensible thought I have left.

My fingers move before I can stop them, and in a single heartbeat, I press accept.

Just like that, it’s done. The booking is confirmed, and the reality of what I’ve agreed to hits me all at once.

I’m going to spend an entire weekend with him.

A rush of emotions floods me: excitement, anxiety, fear, and desire. They crash into one another, forming a storm that I can’t control. My chest feels tight, and my pulse races faster as his name appears on my schedule instantly.

I glance at the rest of my week. I’m supposed to see Xavier on Thursday, and then Knox from Friday evening until Sunday night. Every client is supposed to be treated the same, but my reaction to Knox’s booking is unlike anything I’m used to. I shouldn’t feel this much excitement for one man. Especially when I’m supposed to see Xavier right beforehand.

Xavier has always been one of my best clients. He knows my kinks, and he knows how to touch me in ways that make my body flood with pleasure. I’ve always enjoyed our time together; usually, just seeing his name on my schedule is enough to brighten up my week.

But tonight, that’s not the case.

Instead, all I can think about is Knox. The comparison feels unfair, yet impossible to ignore. For the first time since I started working for The Network, the thought of canceling a booking crosses my mind. The idea alone is absurd; I’ve never even considered it before. And yet, here I am, tempted, and desperately fighting against it so I can keep the last threads of my sanity.

A low groan escapes my lips as I pinch my nose between my fingers. I already know it.