Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
6
Katie
I swallow hard while trying to contain my emotions. Xavier Carlton is about to throw me a lifeline, and I’m going to take it. I’m going to accept whatever offer he makes because the truth is that I can’t stomach the thought of living with Dinah again.
After all, my mom is just too bird-brained. Don’t get me wrong because Dinah’s smart in many respects. She’s not a dumb woman, and she’s definitely very intelligent in her own way. Her thriving business is proof of that.
It’s just that I can’t handle being my mom’s life-organizer slash mother-figure slash savior. It’s not feasible. I don’t want to be the one scheduling dentist appointments for her, while also paying her cell phone bills and making sure that her clothes are clean. I’m not her legal guardian. I’m her daughter, and I want to live my own life.
That’s why I live in a crappy apartment even though I could live with my mother and save money. Although I’m poor, it’s totally worth it. I have space, and even more importantly, I have peace. I can ignore Dinah’s latest astrological prediction, and also escape her batty ways without offending her.
“Please, Mr. Carlton,” I murmur. “I’ll do whatever you want. I just can’t have my mom move in with me.”
He throws his head back and laughs, showing off even white teeth.
“It’s that bad, huh?”
I nod.
“It’s worse than you think. Imagine living in a tiny space with Pippi Longstocking crossed with Mary Poppins. It’s not fun. She’ll be in my business non-stop, while making all sorts of New Age-y proclamations.”
He laughs again, and I marvel at his good looks once more. How does he do it? Literally, the man looks like a movie star, and not businessman who sits in front of a computer all day.
But then Xavier grows serious.
“Well, Katie, I do have a position to fill, but it’s different from a regular nine to five.”
I look at him with confusion.
“You mean in real estate? With your company? But I’d be utterly unqualified, Mr. Carlton.”
He chuckles again.
“Yes, I know. But it’s not a job precisely. Or it is, sort of. I’m looking for a companion, you see. Someone who can satisfy my tastes, but who also has the discretion and maturity to know her place.”
I’m flummoxed. What does he mean?
“I’m sorry?” I ask. “I’m not sure I understand because right now, I’m working as a home health aide, so I’m a companion of sorts already. I work with an older woman who has severe diabetes. As a result, I’m in charge of helping her with almost everything: her meal schedule, her daily exercise, and also the insulin shots. I’ve learned to give her those in order to make sure that her sugar levels stay stable.”
Xavier nods thoughtfully.
“Being a home health aide isn’t an easy job, and I respect you for taking on such a challenging position, Katie. Tending to the elderly and ill is difficult, not to mention emotionally taxing. But I’m not looking to take you away from your job. I’m looking for after hours companionship of a different kind.”
I stare at him again.
“Are you looking for a friend?” I ask slowly. “Because we can be friends, no problem Mr. Carlton.”
He throws his head back to laugh again, and suddenly I feel really dumb. Oh my god, I’m completely out of my league and I know it. This man is a billionaire who can run circles around me, and I suddenly feel very foolish and young.
But then his eyes grow serious and he leans forward.
“No, not a friend, Katie, because you would be my friend for free, wouldn’t you? I’m looking for something else.”
With that, Xavier’s blue eyes seize mine, and my pulse skyrockets. What does the CEO want? Because as my body goes soft and hot, suddenly I know I’ll give him whatever he’s looking for.
7
Xavier
Katie’s so innocent that it’s charming. She’s sitting on the sofa, looking stricken, and immediately, I want to comfort her.
“But you’re on the right track,” I begin. “I’m not looking for a friend exactly, but something along those lines.”
She nods before taking a deep breath and throwing me a dazzling smile.
“I didn’t think so because you seem like a man who probably already has a lot of friends. Why would you need a friend like me?”
A smile quirks my lips.
“Well, that’s a good question. In fact, I think I would really value a friend like you because many of my existing so-called “friends” aren’t real. They’re generally people who want something from me, like my money or my connections. Those aren’t true friends.”
She purses her lips, and then shakes her head.
“You’re right. They’re not. I hadn’t thought of that because I’ve never been in your shoes. I come from humble circumstances, as you know,” she says with a sassy smile. “But is there something else you’re looking for Mr. Carlton? Again, I can be a companion, no problem. But I just have to understand what you’re looking for exactly. You’re not sick, are you?”