Page 2 of Consorting with Romance

“Thank you so much for the opportunity to interview.” He began speaking even before I joined him.“I know I don’t have experience in this sort of thing.”

I smiled gently and sat on the edge of the couch closest to him. It kept us both at a slight angle vs facing one another, but I liked to see how people responded when I chose an unexpected seat that was closer than they’d anticipated. He didn’t seem fazed and simply adjusted his position, smiling nervously at me again as I began.

“You may not have experience as an assistant, but your resume says you’re currently a medical student, something I certainly never thought I’d see on an application to work for me. I suppose part of my desire to have you interview is curiosity, but I also think it’s quite likely that you're smart, hardworking, and dedicated if you’re managing that type of education. I’ve found it’s far easier for someone with good personality traits to adapt to a new job, than for someone familiar with a job to change their personality.”

He grinned broadly again and nodded as I continued. His eyes glowed in the afternoon light and the way I wanted to do nothing other than stare into them for hours as if they were a sunset startled me.

“Tell me a bit more about yourself. Why you’ve applied, and why you think you’d be a good fit.”

He’d clearly been nervous since the moment I opened the door, but as he began speaking, his demeanor shifted instantly to that of a man confident and professional in both his tone and posture, though I noticed that his fingers still wrung around themselves in the way children’s fingers twitch nervously when they think they might be in trouble.

“I come from a family of farmers, and while I've enjoyed that well enough,I’ve always felt like I have more to offer. I’ve been interested in medicine since I was a kid, and my family has saved for years to put me through school. I don’t have the heart to tell them even with all they’ve given me I can’t quite afford things like..well…food…”

He laughed a bit in nervous embarrassment.

“So, I need a job. School is demanding, and I need something part time that doesn’t require me to spend a lot of brain power learning a whole new skill set.”

His eyes grew a bit larger, and he cringed as he realized he’d made it seem like he was unwilling to learn, and he quickly corrected himself as he continued.

“I know I have no experience in this sort of thing, but I’m a quick learner.I can use computer systems, I’m good with people, and I don’t mind hard work.” He glanced around a bit as he continued,“I mean if there’s like cleaning or other things like that…” He trailed off again and laughed. “I’m not really sure what the job entails to be honest.”

To say I was stunned would be an understatement. In less than five minutes, he’d managed to list precisely what I was looking for. He seemed to be everything I could want in an assistant, and he was gorgeous to top it off.

“I hate to say this so directly after a whole fiveminutes, but you couldn’t have phrased that any better. I’ve sent fourother people packing already today without giving them a serious thought, and I couldn’t be happier that you seem like such a good fit so far.”

Probably not the best negotiating tactic, but I was getting desperate.

He beamed, looking relieved that I hadn’t instantly kicked him out. There was nothing about his appearance that seemed childish. He was nothing but clean lines and strong muscles and good posture. He didn’t even appear to be all that young. The softest of lines were beginning to form beside his eyes. They deepened slightly when he smiled. If I had to guess, I’d place him in his late twenties or early thirties. Yet, there was something about him that seemed almost…innocent in the way his smile seemed to take over his face without hesitation or concern.

“The job is fairly basic. Clients come in, you greet them, offer them water or tea, and take their payments. You’ll also reschedule appointments when necessary.I have a lot of regulars though, so manyof my appointments arestanding.”

I stood as I spoke and gestured for him to follow, leading him into the kitchen.

“Basic things in here. Teacups and water bottles go in the dishwasher at the end of the day and the waters need to be refilled. If I have more than twoclients back-to-back,during the second appointment you’ll make me a protein shake.” I grinned at him a bit. “I mean, I’m good, but even I don’t have the stamina to make it all day without some kind of pick me up.”

He blushed as he nodded his understanding.

Good lord! Applying to work for a consort and that made him blush. Where is this guy from and could he be any more adorable? Did I just call him adorable? What is that about?

I led us back to the waiting area and continued. “While I’m with clients, just a few things here;restocking waters andstraightening books. There is no real cleaning as I have a service that does that a couple times a week.”

He nodded once more, listening intently as I led him into my work area. He followed close behind me, looking around curiously while trying not to appear too obvious. I’d have been shocked to find he’d ever utilized the services of a consort. I’m not sure I’d ever seen someone quite so nervous as they entered my room.

The bedroom’s decor was similar to that of the waiting area.I had filled it with warm dark greys and comfortable greens; colors that were calming and relaxing while still appearing neutral and professional. I kept a few plants on minimalist shelving, and a small desk with a chair that I rarely used stood in the corner. A large bed with white sheets was the centerpiece, of course. Small black end tables rest on either side holding candles and more water bottles.

“A bit more in here.” I continued, “Between clients, you’dstrip the linens and remake the bed.”

I watched his face carefully as I spoke. He nodded when conversation called for it; face carefully schooled into an unchanging expression.

I led him through the room’s second set of French doors and into the large bathroom. “I shower between clients, so after appointments I’ll walk them out to you then head back here. If they have any questions or want to reschedule, you’ll take care of that before doing the bed.”

I pointed to a hatch in the corner. “Linens go in there, they’re all marked as mine, and they go to a laundry service.”

He nodded silently yet again, but his gaze no longer followed me as it had during the rest of the tour. He stood, staring at the large glass shower that was open to the rest of the room, blushing as he realized I’d be in there when he brought in the linens.

I leaned my shoulder against the glass and studied him intently.

“Modesty doesn’t exactly come with the job.”

---