Tiago

by Shayne Ford

  I nod again–– a couple of times.

  “Mmm-hmm.”

  “Is that it?” he asks, giving me a sweltering smile that starts a small fire on my skin.

  “Yes.”

  Demonstratively, I check the time as if I want to make sure that we didn’t go over the limit.

  “We’re good,” I say, trying to sound business-like when a voice rings out behind me.

  “Oh, look at you, lovebirds. Get a room already,” a friend from work says to me as she and her group walk across the sidewalk, heading to a couple of cars waiting for them.

  Laughter resonates in their wake.

  “I guess, we should wait until they leave,” I say.

  “I guess,” he agrees, his eyes glinting with a smile.

  The cars pull away from us when Andrew erases the space between us.

  Turned to stone, I register his breath on my lips.

  Slowly, he sets his hand on my shoulder and tilts his face down, his breath trailing along my jawline before his lips touch my earlobe.

  Tingles rush across my skin.

  “I know why you want to leave, but... You shouldn’t be afraid,” he murmurs in my ear, making my nipples poke at my dress. “I would do it off the clock,” he adds, a smile threading through his voice.

  My heart ticks faster.

  To make his point, he connects his lips with mine, giving me a soft, tender kiss.

  I stop breathing for a moment.

  “Oh...” I murmur when he pulls away.

  “Think about it. If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

  With that, he releases my hand and pivots away.

  I watch him walk down the street until he vanishes around the corner when a cab stops not far from me.

  A man steps out before I rush to climb in.

  Moments later, I crash on the back bench of the cab, hating myself.

  4

  EVE

  “Nothing happened,” I say, venting my frustration on the phone.

  Standing next to the kitchen counter, I pick up the pot of fresh coffee and fill up my red mug.

  The aroma tickles my nostrils, making me even more alert, chasing away the last shred of sleep.

  “But why?” Rain asks puzzled.

  I take a good swig of coffee, fully enjoying the dark roast taste.

  “Was it something that I said? Was it something wrong with the guy?”

  I set the cup down and eat a piece of fruit I pick up from the platter sitting on the counter.

  “No, it wasn’t. He was great. I wanted someone who could pass for my date or boyfriend or whatever, and he was all that. Everybody bought it.”

  “And yet?”

  “Nothing. He was really nice. Sexy, nice. You know... The kind of guy I always wanted.”

  “And?”

  I sense a pang of frustration in her voice.

  I take a long breath.

  “And it was good. He genuinely liked me. That’s why everybody thought that we were a real couple. ”

  “And?”

  Urgency builds in her voice.

  “And then he said that he was up for more and that I didn’t need to pay him for the extra time.”

  The shrieking sound of her cheering pierces my ear.

  I breathe out a laugh.

  “Wait... Wait. There’s more.”

  “Yeah, yeah. You just told me. But how could you say no to him? Didn’t you find him attractive enough?”

  “Oh, but I did. When he kissed me, I was almost done.”

  “You lost me,” she says, baffled.

  “I liked him a lot, but there was a bit of a problem with that.”

  “No, no... Fucking, no. Please don’t say that.”

  It’s even earlier in Colorado than New York, and yet, she already sounds all wired up and beyond annoyed with me.

  I can’t blame her. I’m mad at myself as well.

  “Let me explain.”

  “I’m dying to hear your explanation,” she says, aggravated. “You’ve had such a hard time to find someone that you liked, and now that you found him and he likes you back, you say no to him? What is wrong with you?”

  “I found him through an escort agency, Rain.”

  “So fucking what? Wasn’t this your plan all along? You said that you wanted to try something different. And I applauded you for that. And then you found a man of your taste, and that was pure luck. Seemingly the chemistry was there. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have made you the proposal. And now you’re telling me that something’s wrong with this?”

  “That’s not what I’m saying.”

  “I’m completely lost here.”

  “Even if he found me attractive for a moment, and he probably did, he would’ve shown me some good time and then switched his feelings off.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “Oh, come on... You said that this is what happens most of the time.”

  “Okay, okay. But even if it was true, wasn’t the whole purpose of hiring someone to have a good experience and not deal with the usual crap? And perhaps, to repeat the experience with him or someone else?”

  I let out of sigh, sharing her frustration.

  “Yes, it was. That was the whole purpose, but I made the mistake of picking someone who could pass off as my boyfriend.”

  “What is wrong with that?” she asks, intrigued.

  “He was so sweet and kind, and I was losing my shit for him when he barely smiled at me. I could’ve had a great experience with him, but because he was the way he was, I would’ve gone gaga for him and made a fool of myself before he would’ve even put his pants on and left my place. I wanted something safe and sexy. That was sexy but safe? No way.”

  We spend a moment in silence before she speaks.

  “What did you expect, really?

  “To be honest, I expected one of those buffed up guys who move as if they swallowed a sword–– someone who wouldn’t be able to read my face and see through me. I’m the one who is supposed to see through them, not the other way around,” I say jokingly, but she doesn’t taste my humor. “If I went with him and liked it, I would’ve been broken if I couldn’t continue doing it. And no way that would’ve happened.”

  “How can you possibly know?”

  I laugh quietly.

  “Oh, come on... You know it, too. These things that happen too quickly without putting enough time in them never last for long. It was a nice evening, a beautiful place. We had a few drinks. I’m sure things would’ve looked differently in the morning. I don’t think he would’ve given up his escort career for a sexual escapade with a client even if he slept with her for pleasure.”

  She muses for a moment.

  “I don’t know what to say. I still think that it’s your loss.”

  “I’m just trying to protect myself.”

  “And maybe that’s the reason why you’re still single.”

  Her words hit me right in my chest.

  A few moments of silence tick by as I struggle to find the strength to unclench my jaw and speak.

  “I’m sorry,” she says with a different voice. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

  “There’s nothing to be sorry about. It’s the truth. You’re right. But there is nothing I can do about it.”

  “I’m sorry it didn’t work out,” she says disappointed.

  “Well... It wasn’t all bad,” I say, trying to disperse the gloomy mood. “The night was great, and the time we spent together was truly fantastic. Not to say that the fact that he genuinely liked me was a big boost of confidence for me. Plus, I made my co-workers jealous,” I add, smiling.

  She laughs.

  “As if that’s a consolation.”

  I chuckle too.

  “For me, it is.”

  She pauses for a moment.

  “So what do you plan to do? Are you giving up on this idea?”

  I take another sip of coffee as I mull over for a moment.

  “No. Not at
all.”

  “No?”

  She sounds surprised.

  “Nah-uh. I like the idea of an escort a lot. And also the fact that these men are willing to offer me what most guys didn’t bother to give me. I’m glad that I’ve had this experience. And I’m happy that I experienced more than just sex. The man knew how to woo me without being obvious, and that was new to me. He was skilled and experienced, and those two things were well worth the money.”

  “I sense another but.”

  “There is no but. Next time, I’ll be more prepared, and I’ll go all the way if the opportunity presents itself.”

  “I’m glad that you got something out of it.”

  “Yup, I did. Had I had this experience a few years back, I wouldn’t have wasted so much time with the wrong men,” I murmur as my eyes shift to the digital clock on the phone screen. “Oh. Time to get ready. Today is the big day. Can you stay with me a little longer? I want your opinion on some of my clothing choices.”

  “Gray or blue?” I ask, standing in front of my cell phone that’s propped up on my desk.

  Holding the hangers up, I make sure that she can see my clothes.

  “Help a girl out,” I say as Rain moves her eyes back and forth, studying the two options.

  “How’s the weather there?” she asks.

  I whip my gaze to the window.

  Gray clouds cover the sky, and it slowly drizzles. I move a step closer and shift my gaze down to the sidewalks.

  Wrapped in winter coats, people clutch their briefcases and umbrellas, walking briskly to their workplaces.

  Cabs zoom by, swooshing through the intersections.

  The colors are dull–– gray, black, navy and brown, here and there a dash of red or yellow enlivening the gloomy view.

  I pivot back to my desk.

  “The weather is nasty right now. It’s raining, and the wind has picked up. The streets are a mess. Regardless, I need to look my best. And it doesn’t even matter how the weather is this morning. The forecast predicts that the temperature will rise and the sky will clear by noon.”

  She remains quiet for a moment, a small smile creasing her lips.

  “What is it?” I ask, grinning.

  “Fall is beautiful in New York,” she says, looking down for a moment.

  Melancholy sets on her face before she continues.

  “But it’s beautiful here as well. You should see the sky and the leaves–– the aspen trees. The air smells like smoke. Except for downtown, where it smells like fresh baked cookies.”

  My arms slacken.

  “Why are you doing this to me?”

  She raises her eyes and looks at me.

  “What?”

  A smile flashes through her gaze.

  “What am I doing?” she asks again.

  “You’re bringing back all these memories, and it’s not as if I’m not thinking about it. I had flashbacks a few days back.”

  Her grin widens.

  “I’m not doing anything,” she argues, smiling. “Besides, you like living in New York.”

  “Yes, I do,” I say with a clipped voice. “And now I want to find something to wear because today is my big day.”

  “Okay. Back to your problem,” she says, focusing on the two dresses. “Considering the weather, you should probably opt for the gray dress. But since you want to look your best, I’d say go with the blue one. You can’t go wrong with blue.”

  “You think?”

  I lift my left hand and run my eyes up and down the dress.

  “Put it on. I’m sure I’m right.”

  “Okay. Can you wait for a minute?”

  “I’m not going anywhere,” she says, lifting her mug of coffee to her lips.

  I dash out of the living room and enter the bathroom.

  Swiftly, I pull on the dress, slide it past my shoulders, and zip it up at the back.

  I let my dark hair cascade down my shoulders before I spin around and dart back into the living room.

  Her eyes are tipped down.

  “Are you working on something?” I ask as I near the desk.

  She shifts her focus to me.

  “I was sifting through a few pictures I received from Thea.”

  “Recent ones?”

  “Mmm-hmm. Can you believe that Ed is going to be a father soon?”

  “No,” I say, evading her eyes.

  My grin gives me away.

  “Do you still have a crush on him?”

  I lift my gaze and wag my finger at her.

  “That is an exaggeration. There’s no way I can still have a crush on him. Besides, I had so many crushes on so many people. He was just one of them.”

  Her chest rocks with laughter.

  I breathe out a chuckle too.

  “Good thing that you can see the funny part.”

  “I always do. So, what do you think about my dress?” I ask before I twirl for her.

  “It fits perfectly,” she says.

  I couldn’t agree more.

  I found this gem on the clearance rack at Saks. I couldn’t believe my eyes how much the price had been slashed. Imported fabric, designer label. Beautifully tailored with fine stitching and a golden tone zipper.

  It’s a classic hourglass dress with a pencil skirt, nipped waist, round neckline, and short sleeves.

  “You need something on top of it.”

  From an armchair, I pick up a cream blazer. I put it on.

  Fitted as well, it follows the line of my body, the two-piece ensemble showing off my toned body.

  Rain’s eyes brighten with a smile.

  “Oh, my... You look like a movie star.”

  “Shut up,” I say, laughing.

  “No, no. Seriously. You look like one of those Old Hollywood movie stars.

  “Sure.”

  “Yes, sure. What is this meeting all about?”

  I make a clipped gesture.

  “It’s the first meeting with a new client. The big boss makes the presentation, but I am part of the creative team. It’s important how I present myself. Professional yet creative. Oozing confidence. This is the idea. You know the drill.”

  She scrunches up her nose, an amused smile growing on her lips.

  I give her a double take. She’s still in her bedroom, clad in her pajamas, a cup of coffee in her hand, her hair in disarray.

  I laugh.

  “Look who I’m talking to,” I say.

  “I’m sorry that I’m such a disappointment to you,” she says humorously.

  “No, no. You’re not... Where is your man?”

  “Working out downstairs.”

  “At six o’clock in the morning?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good for him. How are things with you two?”

  A slow smile curls her lips.

  “He. Is. Heaven. You were so right about him.”

  I flick my hands up.

  “Thank God. I finally get some credit.”

  She giggles entertained.

  “I always knew that you were right.”

  “I’m happy that things worked out in the end for you two.”

  “Yes, they did,” she says with a softer voice, her eyes glinting with unending love for him.

  Her gaze goes vacant for a moment as she relives a memory that belongs entirely to her.

  “I so much envy you,” I say with a mellow voice as well.

  She lifts her gaze and looks at me with sparkling eyes.

  My heart clenches, filled with joy for her.

  A few seconds pass by before I gesture in her direction and speak again.

  “I’d love to spend more time with you, but I need to go now. Thank you for giving me hope.”

  She laughs quietly.

  “I’m sorry,” she mutters.

  “Don’t be. I’m happy to see you in love with him after all this time. You have no idea how lucky you are.”

  She smiles, her chin trembling with emotion.

  “I need to go now, or I’ll
be late,” I say.

  “All right. Call me tonight.”

  I tap the screen to exit the app before I set my phone on my desk and walk to the window.

  I tug the curtain to the side and look down at the streets again. People hug their coats and trenches closer as I almost feel a shiver swooping down my spine.

  I may need another cup of coffee. Or perhaps, I’ll buy an espresso on my way to work.

  I let the drape fall back in place before I turn around.

  Colorful pillows are scattered all over the velvet sofa, the lamp sitting on the side table casting a soft glow around the room.

  This is the kind of day when I wish I could stay home, spend some time on my own, read a good book, drink a cup of coffee, and eat takeout food.

  Maybe I’ll order something tonight when I come back from work. With this thought in mind, I make another trip to the walk-in closet where I pick a pair of cream shoes, silk stockings, and a matching purse.

  A few moments later, I’m back in the bathroom where I finish applying my makeup.

  I brush my hair and look in the mirror.

  “That will do.”

  5

  EVE

  So far, this Monday is perfect.

  I get to work on time, my fashionable cream heels navigating the sidewalk without getting a scratch or a smudge as I take a few steps from the cab to the entrance of the building where I work.

  On my way up, I cross paths with people from the other firms. The mood is generally good, considering that the weather is gloomy and the first day of the week is always a bit of a challenge.

  Lilian, my secretary, greets me with a smile as I walk into my small yet modernly decorated office.

  She compliments my dress and shoes and quickly points to the flowers lounging in a glass vase sitting on my desk.

  “What is this?” I ask, eyeing the roses.

  “One of your clients,” she says before she presses her lips together, trying to suppress a smile.

  I pick up the card.

  It’s been a pleasure to work with you. Let me know what you think about my proposal.

  All the Best,

  Lars Swenson

  I slide the card to the side and check the flowers.

  Exploding with color, they animate my working space.

  The man has impeccable taste, the flowers–– this is the third bouquet this month, the box of chocolate, and the tickets to the Opera that I reluctantly accepted, suggesting more than good business etiquette.