As I was toweling off, my phone rang and I ran into the bedroom to retrieve it with just a thin robe on before pressing the green talk button.
“Hey, Jess. Sorry I didn’t call immediately. You wouldn’t believe what’s happened.”
My friend’s look is one of concern.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
I tilt my head to the side, just thinking for a moment.
“Yes and no.”
My buddy looks confused.
“Okay, what does that mean?”
“It means,” I smile. “That I’m not fine because I’m stuck with an asshole for the entire night. But I’m fine because I’m taking off in the morning, and leaving this asshole is going to be the best thing that’s happened to me.” Her laugh filled my ears. “It’s not funny, Jess,”
“The client is an asshole? Why, what happened? Why don’t you like her?” It was very clear that my buddy found all this highly amusing.
“First of all, she is not a she. She’s a he. As in a manly man type of ‘he.’”
“Wait, what?” my friend gasps. “Are you serious?”
I nod.
“Yep. I’m working for Bo North of the Edward Mason thrillers. You know that secret agent line of books –”
“I know, I know!” Jess squeals, bouncing up and down with excitement on her bed. “Oh my god, my dad has like all twenty of them, and I’ve read a couple. They’re soooo good.”
I nod ruefully.
“Yeah, but Bo North himself is an awful human being. I’m leaving tomorrow morning.”
Jess looks confused.
“But why?”
I sigh.
“It’s all a huge mix-up. He thought he was getting a maid slash cook, whereas I thought I was going to be an editorial assistant helping him on his books.”
“What?” Jess is utterly horrified. “A maid?”
I nod knowingly.
“I swear to God. When he found out I was an editorial assistant, he was livid. I think he was going to throw me out on the spot, but then it started snowing and you know my car can’t make it through weather like this.”
“Well, the Civic is in pretty bad shape,” she says diplomatically.
“Shut up!” I say while rolling my eyes. “Anyways, he insulted my vehicle, basically called me an idiot, and is making me clean the house. I’m going to charge him through the nose for this,” I say darkly. But Jessica merely bursts into laughter, snorting so hard I wonder if she’s drowning. Wasn’t this girl supposed to be on my side?
“Did you hear me?” I say sourly. “Bo North wants me to clean his house before dinner. What a travesty!”
“OMG, I’m so sorry,” she says through fits of laughter. “But the whole situation is just so ridiculous! I mean, is he old and disgusting? Does he have whiskers caked with food and a pot belly?”
I sigh. “Jess, did you ever take a peek at his author photo on the back of his books?”
My friend squints her eyes, trying to remember. Then her brows go up and she gasps.
“OMG, yeah Bo North is really hot, right? I read those books when I was thirteen, so I probably wasn’t paying attention. But does he really look like that? You know those photos can be soooo photoshopped.”
I nod.
“Yes, but in this case, Bo North really does look like that. He’s a hunk of pure male animal, and there’s testosterone coming off of him in waves. But I can’t stay here because it’s just too demeaning. I’m not a maid!”
Jess merely gets a dreamy look in her eye.
“I’d happily be a maid for a man who looks like that.”
I snort.
“OMG, how did I become friends with you?” I ask rhetorically. “You’re so hopeless!”
She giggles. “Yeah, but you love it. So how long are you going to stay there again?”
I roll my eyes.
“Weren’t you listening? Mr. North and I agreed that I’ll leave tomorrow. I wanted to go today but the weather is really bad, so it was too dangerous and he wouldn’t let me.”
Jess gets that dreamy look in her eye once more.
“Aww, isn’t that so chivalrous? Just like Prince Charming.”
I stare at her.
“OMG, you are impossible, Jess! He’s the Beast, not Prince Charming.”
She giggles. “Okay, okay. I’m just saying that maybe Bo North’s not as bad as you think,” Jessica muses. “I mean, give him a second chance. Why not? He’s super hot, uber-successful, filthy rich, and probably has a huge you-know-what too.”
I squeal.
“Jess!”
She giggles.
“Just kidding. But he’s so perfect, and the only thing you mentioned is that he wants a maid and was a bit grumpy. So there was a mix-up at the agency. Anyone would be a bit miffed at that.” I inhale slowly, but Jess continues. “Besides, if he’s a hot asshole, maybe that could make for some amazing sex.”
I groan. “Jessica!”
“I’m just saying that I won’t judge you if it happens. You know, if he slips you a little something-something on the side. Is he tall? I can’t tell from those author photos.”