Lucy looks skeptical, pursing her pink lips.
“Your studio is barely big enough for just you, Sarah. You can’t have them move in because you’d be packed in like sardines. Hell, your sister might have to sleep in the bathtub! We need to come up with another plan. Something more realistic.”
Despite my tears, I smile at my best friend. “Thanks, Luce. I appreciate it.”
She smiles at me through the video screen.
“No, it’s fine, hon. I just wish I could give you a hug in person!”
That makes me laugh because her belly is so huge, I doubt she could reach all the way around me.
“Your stomach’s enormous, Luce. I doubt a hug is in the works even if we were talking in person.”
She grins.
“Ugh, I know, I’m huge. But back to the matter at hand. I have an idea, but I’m not sure if you’d be game …”
I fix her with a look.
“I’m desperate, Luce. Anything will do. What did you have in mind?”
She bites her lip, looking hesitant.
“Well, have you ever thought about escorting?” she asks.
I gasp and lean back. “What?”
Lucy holds up her hand to allay my fears.
“I know it sounds crazy, but it’s not that insane actually. You know that Brandon used to use escorts before he met me, right?”
I nod slowly.
“Yes, but it was just once or twice, right?”
Lucy shoots me a rueful look.
“That’s what my husband likes to claim, but let’s be honest. Brandon was single for a long time before I came along, and I think he used to indulge monthly, if not weekly. So there’s definitely a way to make some good money, especially since Brandon was paying a lot for these girls.”
I gasp.
“OMG, this is crazy.”
Lucy shakes her head.
“It’s not, actually. Lots of ladies do it, but they just don’t tell anyone, and why would they? There’s still a stigma around escorting. But you could do it just for a little while, Sarah. To help your family get back on their feet.”
I stare at her.
“This is soooo crazy.”
But Lucy shakes her head again.
“It’s not,” she says in a gentle tone. “Brandon used the same service for almost a decade, and he liked it. He was very satisfied and said it was super-upscale, catering only to men with a certain net worth. I remember it was called City Girls, and I can ask him for a contact number if you like.”
That shuts me up immediately.
“OMG, please don’t. I don’t want your husband to know that I’m even considering this.”
Lucy nods with understanding.
“Of course not, but I’m sure if you google City Girls, you’ll find something on line. Just check it out. No pressure. It can’t hurt to look, right?”
I glance down at my curvy body, contemplating it askance because my figure is not the kind of thing guys are looking for when they hire an escort. Generally, men want thin torsos with long legs and straight, blonde hair. Meanwhile, I have big boobs and a big butt, plus my hair is brown, curly, and usually a windswept mess.
Lucy must be insane. Maybe she’s not thinking straight because of the pregnancy hormones or the lack of sleep from having a toddler on hand. But she continues.
“I’m serious, Sarah,” my friend’s voice chimes. “Brandon says sometimes he paid four figures in cash for just one session with an escort.”
That makes my eyes widen. “Really? Four figures for just one night?”
My buddy nods. “Yep. Now, do you understand what I’m saying? It’s worth looking into if you really need cash, honey. I know this isn’t exactly anyone’s dream career, but lots of girls do it to get themselves out of a pinch.”
I shake my head, looking down at my hands.
“Yeah, but the thing is that I need a lot of money, and fast. You see, my parents didn’t even tell me about the foreclosure until just recently. So actually, the house is going to be taken from them in a matter of months, I think.”
Lucy nods, still looking thoughtful.
“Yeah, but maybe you could postpone it somehow. Maybe if you offered the bank a decent chunk of money, they’d give you more time to bargain? To at least put a pause on the foreclosure?”
I bite my lip. “I’m not sure how the process works, to be honest. But I do know the bank is asking for thirty-thousand dollars just to halt the proceedings. That’s a lot! I mean, how would I come up with thirty thousand out of the blue?”
My buddy brightens.
“It’s possible!” she says. “If Brandon was paying a thousand bucks for one night, then conceivably you could make thirty thousand in just one month. See? The math works.”
I stare at my friend.
“Yeah, but I never thought I’d be working on my back.”
Lucy giggles but then grows serious.
“No one ever does, Sarah. But give it a thought okay? I know this has been a shock for you, and no girl consciously wants to get into this line of business. But desperate times require desperate measures, and I’m just saying. It’s one option.”