“Because you’re my bestie. Because I’m tired of keeping it a secret. Because you could use a distraction.”
“No. I do not need a distraction. That is exactly what I don’t need. I need to focus entirely on getting an internship.”
She toes off her socks, letting them fall to the floor. “But you need money, right?”
Ugh. My job. “Yeah, I need money.”
“Well, this is the fastest money you’ll ever make. It’s fun. I also have a budget so I can buy pretty things.”
“Just for going out with some men? Boosting their egos. Then saying ‘good night’ at the end?”
Claire sits upward and rests her weight on her elbows. “Well…”
I groan. “Of course, there’s a catch. Why wouldn’t there be? Let me guess, you have to have sex with them too, don’t you?”
“First off,” Claire starts. “That is illegal in this state.”
I give her a firm look and roll my eyes. She has never, ever been on the straight and narrow when it comes to rules. Why is she pretending now?
“But they are men after all,” Claire says with a shrug.
I sit up straighter. “I’m not prostituting myself! Are you crazy? I mean, you usually have these off-the-wall ideas, but this one takes the cake even for you, don’t you think? I am not auctioning off my body to the highest bidder.”
“Then I’m sure the word will get out, and you’ll only get men who solely want a date for a business meeting. I’m not a slut, Angie.”
A pang of guilt hits me. “I’m sorry I implied that. You know I didn’t mean it.”
“It’s fine, hun.”
“So sex is not a requirement?”
“Of course not. But word on the street says the pay magically triples if you, you know”—she lifts her eyebrows—“entertain. After hours.”
“Yeah, and then you go to prison because prostitution is illegal in nearly all fifty states.”
“Girl, you watch too many TV shows. That never actually happens in the real world.”
“And by TV shows, you mean world news?”
Claire shrugs and flops back onto the pillow. “Whatever. You should know better than anyone how those reporters like to embellish stories to keep the viewers in a panic.”
“Really, Claire, really?”
“Joking.”
“Umm, I don’t know about this. Something seems off.”
“Just come to the mixer event tonight. It’s a recruiting event where employees bring a friend. Everything is so confidential that you have to be specially invited. They have these once a month.”
“Tonight? Where’s it at?”
“At a super swanky mansion on the west side of the city.”
In the rich people district, I’m sure. “How were you going to sneak out tonight without me noticing you dressed to impress?”
I can tell she is thinking about it. “Probably would have gotten changed at a gas station. And then would need another STD test.”
“Ew.” I make a face. “Not sure how that is possible, but I’d rather not know.”