Page 33 of Courting Clemson

Twenty-six new messages populated the screen, and I opened each message one by one. If someone was turning me down, at least I could learn why and use the information moving forward if I had to go out and start the process all over again.

God, I pray I don’t have to do that.

About halfway through the list, I was seriously discouraged. There were a few solid rejections, which was fine, but more didn’t respond at all. The more messages I deleted, the more frustrated I became. How could I not land a freaking entry-level job? If it was this difficult to find an everyday, no-skill-needed position, what the hell would it be like after graduation?

Was I really busting my ass at school and worrying to death over staying in school just to not be able to get a job when I got out? Why did they just about brainwash you in high school that the only way to a solid career was to go to college? It was all starting to feel like a big scam.

Then I saw the last email I expected of the bunch. It was from the Sugar Dating website. I had been assigned a mentor, and she was reaching out to welcome me and help me fine-tune my profile.

Of all the jobs I’d applied for, this would be the best paying. But was it something I could make peace with?

With no other options, it looked like I was about to find out.

A part of me wanted to confide in Grace about the opportunity and get her thoughts. It was unnerving to get involved in something like this without any advice from someone I trusted. I’d rather poke my eyeballs with toothpicks than ask my sisters, so that was off the table.

I’d think about it some more before making a decision. I didn’t need negativity right now, and though I didn’t think I’d get that from her, she might downright think it was a bad idea, and I couldn’t really deal with that either.

My mentor went by the name Solei. I scrolled through the website looking for her profile but couldn’t find it. Either she was dating under a different name, or maybe once the agency promoted you to mentor, you didn’t have to have an active profile.

My nerves were on high alert when I replied to her. I took a moment to assess what it was I was feeling. It wasn’t fear. It was excitement.

The more I thought about how lonely I’d been feeling, the more anxious I was for her reply. Maybe this wouldn’t be bad at all. I’d get to go out on fun, adventurous dates, meet new people, and possibly make some connections in the business world for when I graduated.

The little peek I had into the job search adventure really had me thinking differently about the future.

Solei responded right away, and we agreed to message on a different app where we could go back and forth in real time. She advised me to download a particular app because that was where my dates would contact me as well, so I loaded it on my phone and waited for her first message.

We texted for about ten minutes and both agreed we were comfortable enough to talk on the phone. She already had my number from the application I filled out, so she called me. Her voice was sultry and deep—a lot like what mine had been described as.

“Hello,” she purred. Already I felt awkward from the way she pronounced the everyday word.

“Hi,” I said, trying to sound excited without sounding nervous.

“Let me reiterate, Nicole, we’re really happy to have you on board. You’re a total ten in the looks department, and I think a lot of our clients will be interested.”

“I’m ready to get going,” I said.

“It’s important to remember a few golden rules, okay? I know you’re probably excited and ready to move forward, but these things will save you a lot of wasted time on guys who aren’t the right match for you, and regardless of our strict screening process, sometimes scammers still get through.”

That last comment would’ve normally heightened my anxiety, but I’d read a lot about scammers online and wrote down some notes on what to watch for.

“A guy should never ask you for indirect money exchanges,” she began, her tone shifting into more of a lecture mode than regular conversation. I had to wonder if she was reading off a script.

“For example, a man should never ask you if he can deposit more than your agreed-on allowance into your account and have you give him the difference. Either in cash or a gift card, or something like that. Just like we review rules with our girls, we have strict rules with the clients too. They are informed transactions like that are strictly prohibited.”

Solei paused there, so I thought maybe I should say something.

“Okay, that makes sense,” I replied.

“Also,” she continued, “above all else, remember you are in charge of this relationship. You should never be guilted into doing anything you are not comfortable doing. We do not promote transactional sexual relations at the agency. A client should never tell you that it is expected of you. If, over the course of time, you develop a relationship with a client and the natural course of events would involve sexual activity, that is completely up to you. But that is not something you should expect a higher allowance for.”

Again, she was quiet after saying that, so I felt like I should let her know I was on board. “I understand completely.”

“And, Nicole, my final piece of advice is the most important.” Here, the pause was a pregnant one.

I almost thought the call dropped until she started speaking again.

“Trust your gut. If a conversation makes you uncomfortable, if the meet-and-greet gets awkward or chaotic, if a client tries to pressure you into something you’re not comfortable with at all, you have the right to stop the whole thing. Always remember that.”

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