“Perfect. Thank you for coming over,” I said to her. “It was a pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
JOURDANNE
I had been thinking about Matt’s proposition for a couple of days. He and I exchanged several texts about a few minor things like what types of dates we could go on and whether I’d want a room at the mansion. Of course, I kept the conversation light and didn’t commit just yet, but I did say a room would be amazing.
“I don’t get why you didn’t say yes,” Parvati said with her head resting on her palms. She was sitting at the table nibbling on an egg croissant that the guests didn’t eat that morning. “It’s everything I told you it would be. My friend was very open about what went on.”
“I know, I know. It was great. Matt was kind and sincere. I really thought we had a true connection.”
“So, what if you did?” She shrugged. “It’s not a dating site, Jourdanne. You knew that too.”
“Yeah,” I shook my head. I set the towel over on the counter after drying the last plate, then took a seat opposite her. “I feel like I’m getting in the middle of something. He said Leandro was fine with the arrangement, that it was actually his idea, but that doesn’t make things easier.”
“If the boyfriend is okay with this, then something was already wrong in their relationship.” Parvati paused, took a bite, then leaned over the table with her arms crossed. “If I had a boyfriend that I truly cared about, there’s no way I’d be loaning him out.”
“See! I feel like such a whore right now.”
Parvati didn’t immediately answer me or give some sisterly piece of advice. Instead, she sat there gazing back at me like she wasn’t sure what to say.
“I mean, you are.”
“Seriously?”
“Jourdanne,” she laughed. “You’re getting paid to please Matt, so he isn’t lonely. That’s the definition of a hooker.”
“Oh, so I’m a hooker now?” I demanded. I didn’t mean for my voice to be loud enough to get the attention of my dad, but there he was, standing in the hall with a wide-eyed look on his face. I didn’t even see him at first. With my back to him, it was Parvati’s shocked expression that made me turn around.
“Who’s a hooker?”
My dad had a strange look of curiosity and shame now as he came closer to the table. I had to think fast.
“Oh, Dad…” I laughed it off. Thankfully, Parvati played along. “We were just talking about a movie we saw last night.”
He nodded, though he didn’t look convinced.
“Yeah, we were just joking around about the characters,” Parvati added.
“Alright.” Another nod, then my dad passed the table and went to look out the window over the sink. “It’s quiet here.”
“Yeah, the guests had breakfast, and then I think two of them went out to shop downtown.”
“The third?” My dad hadn’t turned away from the window yet.
“Um…”
“Wait, isn’t that the writer guy you were telling me about?” Parvati asked.
“Oh, yeah. He’s upstairs typing away I think.”
My dad nodded. He turned back, gave a brief smile, then started back to his office.
“Dad? Is everything okay?”
“Of course.” He glanced over with a smile. Another few steps and he was out of sight.
Parvati leaned over the table. In a whisper, she asked, “What’s that about?”
I spoke quietly, too. “Word has gotten around that the inn needs repairs and some of the bookings have switched to a different place.”
“No.” She was genuinely concerned, and I’d expect no less from my best friend. “You guys can stay afloat until repairs are made,” she more or less assumed. I gave a shrug. Parvati lowered her head and gave a slow shake.
“He can’t pay me for the rest of the summer. I know it, he knows it, but he has yet to say so. At least not officially. He asked me if I was picking up more hours at the café.”
Parvati made a sour face.
“Right. I could help him if I agree to Matt’s offer, but he’ll probably think the worst of me if I do.” I leaned down and put my head onto my folded arms.
“What if he finds out you’re selling your virginity too?”
“Oh, about that,” I popped back up. Before I could continue, I looked back at the hallway and thought it best to have this conversation outside. “Come on.” I nudged her. Out through the side door, we kept talking as we started walking. “He just wants a companion.”
“No sex?”
“Nope.” I stuck my hands in my pockets as a cool breeze swept over us. We walked slowly around the side of the Inn. “I mean, I wouldn’t oppose it. He’s so handsome, and he’s a good listener. I felt like he wasn’t just hearing me talk for the sake of his own benefits later on. He truly cared about me and what I had to say.”