“Yo,” I grunt.
“Hey Dani,” Trish sings sweetly, as if she has no idea what happened. I just know she’s about to try to talk me into going on a date tonight, but I head her off. Flopping down onto my bed, I lean my forehead on my hand and squeeze my eyes closed.
“Trish, please tell me you aren’t doing this. I need a night off and you know that last night was absolutely awful.”
She sounds confused.
“What? Awful? How can that be? In fact, Trevor called and raved about you, hon. He wants to see you again, and as soon as possible too.”
Jerking my head up, I shake my head hard even though she can’t see.
“No. Absolutely not. Did he mention that he took out his dentures in plain sight of everyone and just put them on the wooden bar? I was humiliated, for him as well as me! I’m not going out with him again. Ever. Put him on my ‘do not book’ list. In fact, I recommend removing him from the client database altogether because he’s so gross and disgusting! I can’t believe he made the agency’s cut to begin with. I thought you were supposed to screen these guys!”
“I’m sorry you had a hard time with him,” Trish says in a comforting voice. “But he is a very wealthy man–“
I cut her off.
“No amount of money is worth going out with that clown again,” I say flatly. “I don’t care what you tell him, but make it clear I’m not going out with him tonight, tomorrow, or anytime in the future. Honestly, I can’t believe the agency didn’t flag him during the preliminary interviews.”
Trish clucks in apology.
“We’re working on amping up our selection processes so it’ll be better in the future, I promise. Management is even contemplating a huge branding re-vamp to attract a better tier of client. It was just a one time thing, Dani. I’m sure it’ll never happen again.”
I grumble and look down.
“It better not.”
Trish clucks again.
“But please, Dani, be realistic. I’m not quite sure how we can screen for dentures. It’s not something we can run a background check for, after all.”
“Well, you should,” I grouse again. “I mean, people ask about vaccination status these days without regard for HIPAA laws, so why can’t you ask if they wear dentures? It would have saved me hours of mortification last night.”
Trish laughs with amusement. “Well, it's over now at least. I’ll be sure to have Trevor removed from our database based on your feedback, but don’t let this sour you on escorting okay, hon? You know how this job is. You have a stretch of time when you’re young and desirable and these are your highest-earning years. You want to make the best of them!”
I frown. I hate what the words imply, as if I’m trash to be tossed out after hitting a certain age.
“Right,” I say glumly. “I get it.”
Trish clucks again like a mother hen.
“I’m just saying to keep an open mind, Dani. Okay? Trevor was a one-time thing, and there’s no reason for you to dwell on last night’s date. Now, onto nicer topics. What do you have planned for tonight?”
“Not a date,” I say quickly. “I’m just hanging out with a girlfriend.”
“That sounds great,” encourages Trish. “Take some time off, pamper yourself, watch movies, and treat yourself to a home facial! Also, apply some hot oil to your curls,” she directs. “Men like hair that has bounce and shine.”
I sigh because Trish will never get it. A night off is a night off, and I don’t feel like beautifying myself for my job in any way whatsoever. But I grimace and pinch the bridge of my nose because I can’t walk away from escorting right now. There are bills to be paid, and unfortunately, I’m already delinquent on a few.
“Okay,” I say in a tired voice. “I’ll do that coconut oil hair mask you recommended last time.”
“Perfect!” squeals Trish on the other side. “Beauty and an open mind, Dani. These attributes will take you to great heights in this business if you just let them. Have a good time tonight, hon. Bye!”
I roll my eyes and hang up. Yeah, I bet an open mind could take me in all kinds of directions as an escort, but I try not to think about the different meanings behind her statement. Not tonight. Tonight is for giggling and gossiping with Chrissy because I just want to leave the reality of Three Hole Girls behind.
But will I ever get a chance? Unless I move or get a roommate, I’ll have to keep accepting dates from the agency. Sighing, I toss my phone into my bag and then heave it on my shoulder. There must be better times ahead with a gorgeous older man who understands my needs. But how will I find him, and when will it happen?