Page 28 of Hired Help

“Somebody swallowed,” I say, tipping my head to my side, nibbling at my lower lip until his eyes gleam. “And if I recall correctly, somebody else promised to reward her with a treat if she did.”

CHAPTEREIGHT

DAEGAN

The bow tieis needlessly complex, and I give up with a grunt of disgust halfway through tying it, escaping from the confines of the bathroom into the hallway, head tilted, listening to see if Gloria is done with her client.

Gloria’s been a friend since I first started in this business. At ten years older than me, she’s a fantastic listener with a tonne of practical advice. I’d once have been happy to turn her into more than a friend, but she doesn’t ‘do’ relationships.

This is her place. It functions nicely as a pickup spot, so I don’t have to meet Brooke at the dance itself, while protecting my home address. In return for sliding a twenty under her fruit bowl, my friend’s always happy to oblige.

I’m still pretending I’m a professional. Still clinging to the old habits, the ones I employ to keep me safe.

In the living room, I find Gloria seated on the sofa, eating a chocolate bar, and scrolling through her phone. Her blonde hair is piled in a messy bun and her plump figure is encased in a matching pink t-shirt and shorts, her smooth legs bare.

She wolf-whistles as I walk into the room. “Damn boy, what’s your hourly charge again?”

“Far too little if my past month’s earnings are anything to go by. Could you lend a hand?”

She stares at the tie with about the same enthusiasm I have for it. “Better bring up the experts,” she mutters, clicking on her screen until a YouTuber offers their enthusiastic advice.

“Pause it there,” I say, leaning over her shoulder. “That’s the bit I’m having trouble with.”

Gloria gives a low snigger, and tugs on the loose ends until I sit next to her. “That’s the first step. Now hold the phone and stay still while I get this sorted.”

I comply, though I’m soon laughing as her efforts fall within the same ballpark as mine. “Anyone would think you didn’t go to school dances every weekend,” I say as the knot miraculously pulls apart with one nudge. “Does it give it an air of casual machismo if I just leave it undone?”

She snatches her phone back, aborting the attempt with a raspberry. “Ask your rich new girlfriend. If she goes to Kingswood, she’s probably been tying these things since she was in the crib.”

“Please don’t call her that. I’m struggling enough with my conscience as it is.”

“Is that what you’re packing down there,” she says, arching an eyebrow at my crotch before tickling me until I collapse against her. “Jesus, boy. You’re as giddy as a schoolgirl. Anyone would think you’re going on a proper date.”

There’s a note of concern in her voice and it’s not misplaced.

Brooke makes me feel eighteen again, but the eighteen I missed out on the first time round. The eighteen-year-old without family commitments to provide for. Without a baby to keep alive. Without a scared teenage fiancée struggling to cope as her world abruptly changes with no relief in sight.

More than once in the past month, I’ve considered asking her to stop paying. To see if that catapults us forward or forces an abrupt parting. The thought makes my chest ache and my hands tremble.

Each time, I let the uncertainty back me away from the idea, but it lingers.

I scroll through my device, looking for further help, then shove it back in my pocket with a sigh. “Guess I should’ve taken the elastic one.”

“We live and learn. I’m having a shower. If she turns up early, lock the door behind you, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

I can’t stay seated. The moment Gloria leaves the room, I leap to my feet, pacing to work off my nervous energy.

When the knock comes on the door, I jump, then laugh in relief, moving to answer it. Brooke stands there, perfectly radiant.

Her eyes catch the overhead light and turn it into a kaleidoscope of scattered blues, from the palest pastel to the deepest navy. A thousand times more beautiful than the sapphires dangling from her ears.

The dark waves of her long hair are pulled back in some fancy arrangement that I immediately want to destroy by digging my fingers deep into it, yanking her head back to take my kiss.

The kiss I wouldnevergive a client.

My mouth is so dry, I have to break the seal of my lips with my tongue. “You look incredible.”

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