Page 14 of Fake It For Glory

“I’m fine,” the woman said again.

“Are you sure, dear?” Della asked with concern. She looked from me to the woman I practically knocked out.

“I’m sure. Thank you.” The woman’s curt reply did not make me feel any better. Her eyes were still fixed on me. I assumed she realized who I was and was thinking about all the money she could sue me for.

I felt a pang of guilt, realizing how rude I must have seemed. I quickly tried to make amends.

“I’m sorry,” I said again.

“What happened?” Della asked.

“I was leaving and pushed open the door,” I started to explain.

“He threw open the door like the hounds of hell were at his back,” the woman replied.

“Oh my,” Della said, smiling. “I hope I didn’t frighten you.”

“No,” I answered with humiliation.

“What about you, dear?” Della asked the woman. “Were you walking by?”

“No, I was coming in here… to apply for a job.”

My attention on the woman changed. She wanted to be one of Della’s girls? For some reason, I assumed she would never do anything like that. She seemed so normal. Put together. Like she was a professional and wouldn’t bother selling her services.

“Of course.” Della’s face lit up. “I should have known. You’re a lovely woman. I just know you’re going to be very popular.”

Jealousy surged through me, shocking the hell out of me. Why in the hell was I jealous? I didn’t even know the woman’s name. I had already decided I wasn’t going to be involved with the agency.

“Thank you,” the woman replied softly.

“Would you like to come into my office?” Della asked. “I don’t have an appointment for another hour. We can get you all signed up and get the process started to run the background check.”

It was one of those moments in life—the kind of moment that made you feel like you were about to do something that would change the trajectory of where your life was headed. I had a split second to decide. It was crazy and completely out of character for me, but I saw what I wanted and I was going to go for it. I had already made an ass of myself. I may as well go all in.

“Five hundred thousand,” I blurted out.

Della and my mystery woman both looked at me like I’d farted.

“Pardon?” Della asked.

“I’ll pay five-hundred thousand,” I clarified. “I came here to hire a date. I want her.”

“Me?” The woman looked confused, and she touched her head. I assumed she was looking for some sign of a bump or other head injury.

“You choose this young woman?” Della repeated. “We haven’t even gone through the application or background check.”

I looked directly at the woman still slumped in the chair with her nose red and her mouth hanging open. “What?” she asked.

I nodded as the idea took hold. “I’ll make it up to you. For knocking you on your ass—Butt. I’ll hire you. I’ll pay you five-hundred thousand for the job.”

“Five—” She started and then stopped. “What? Really?”

“Yes.”

Della was beaming.

“I, uh, think I should still do the application and stuff,” the woman said. “It’s part of the process. I think it’s important to follow the process.”