Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
But this is a weird situation, definitely. Does Braden know that the woman he’s dating is actually a professional escort? I certainly hope Sarah’s told him, although then again, why would she? After all, these things are usually best kept secret.
But how long have they been seeing one another? I swing around to look at Sarah, and start because the pretty girl currently looks as if she might throw up. Her face is a mix of horrified and shocked, with a bit of nausea thrown in.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
Sarah catches herself and presses her napkin to her mouth.
“Um, I’m fine,” she manages in a choked voice. “I just got really hot all of a sudden.”
“Here, have some water,” my stepson says, handing her a bottle.
Sarah takes it and drinks gratefully, that lovely neck pulsing as she swallows. God, I’ve got to get her in bed again ASAP. But then I stop myself. That would be wrong, knowing that she’s currently dating my stepson.
Meanwhile, the water hasn’t helped. Sarah still looks panicked, and I can see her pulse beating crazily in her throat.
“So it’s great seeing you, Grant!” she says with forced cheer. “You must have a long walk ahead, and it looks like your dog is tired. See you later!”
I cock my head at her. Daisy’s not tired at all, and in fact, is snuffling at the picnic basket as we speak.
“No, I’m okay,” I say in a slow tone. Suddenly, a thought strikes, and I jerk back. Could it be …? No way. But I decide I have to find out.
“So how do you know each other?” I ask casually.
Sarah immediately throws Braden a glance before piping up.
“Braden and I met at school,” she says quickly. “I told you I’m taking classes, right?”
I nod. “You did, except Braden finished high school many years ago, and then he got his real estate license instead of continuing his education, so he’s not in school anymore. And I know you didn’t attend the same high school as my stepson because you’re from Jersey, whereas Braden attended an elite boarding school in Connecticut.”
Sarah swallows hard, her expression bordering panic. She’s looking between Braden and me like she wants to get up and run away, but stays locked in place.
“Um,” she mutters. “Well, it was another type of school,” she stammers. “Back when we were kids. Summer camp!” she says, brightening.
Evidently, my stepson’s had the same realization as me because he shoots me a sharp look. But evidently he makes a decision because he turns to the trembling girl.
“You don’t have to lie about how we know each other,” he says in a low voice. “It’s fine.”
Sarah gasps, her face going white. “It’s not fine,” she says quickly. “It was summer camp! Remember Lake Woebegone and how we would roast marshmallows by the fire—”
I cut her off then.
“Sarah, is this summer camp called City Girls? You don’t have to lie.”
Her mouth snaps shut and by now all color has drained from her face.
Braden gently nods at her, his blue eyes seeing everything. “Go ahead, sweetheart, it’s okay. You can tell Grant what we’re doing here. Neither of us is going to judge you.”
She swallows hard.
“Are you sure? The three of us could leave right now and pretend this never happened.”
I laugh. “It’s okay, honey. Neither Braden nor I are here to force you to do anything you’re not comfortable with, but I think it’ll be easier if you just fess up. Again, it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. This is a huge coincidence, certainly, but the sun will still rise come morning.”
This situation is dramatic, but I’ve been in worse spots before. Evidently Sarah has too because after a moment, her eyes meet mine and she takes a deep, shuddering breath.
“Okay. The truth is, Braden hired me to be his companion through City Girls, the same way you hired me, Grant. You’re both my clients,” she says in a voice that dies out to a whisper. “I never expected this to happen.”
Braden shakes his head with wonder. “What are the chances we’d happen to hire the same escort, Dad? Holy shit.”
I shake my head.
“I’d say they’re pretty low, and to be honest, I had no idea you were using City Girls.”
Braden shrugs. “I found it to be the best service in the city, and like you, I’m not looking for a commitment, so the arrangement made sense.”
That makes my black brows pull together for a moment.
“Arrangement? How long have you guys been dating? Sarah, I thought you said you just started with City Girls.”
The curvy girl still looks white as a ghost and swallows heavily before meeting my eyes.
“I did just start,” she whispers. “Last week was my first week, and I went out on two dates with each of you.”
Braden and I both lean froward.