CHAPTER TWO
NORA
I PULL IN SHORT, JERKY BREATHS while I force my wobbly legs out of a cab and through the doors of Prosecco. The tantalizing smell of garlic, cheese, and tomato sauce hits my nose, reminding me I haven’t eaten all day.
“Hello. How can I help you this evening?” the maître d’ asks, clueless to the turbulence flowing through me.
“I have a reservation for Shaw.”
He glances down at a book in front of him before answering. “Your table will be ready shortly. Would you like a seat at the bar while you wait?”
“Um. I’m meeting someone here...” Fruitlessly, I glance around the restaurant. “But I don’t know what he looks like,” I add.
“Oh, a blind date. We see a lot of those here. If your date arrives before your table is ready, I’ll send him to the bar.”
“He’ll be wearing a black shirt,” I blurt. “And he knows to ask for Nora.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Holding my clutch in my hand, I nervously make my way to the bar.
Three weeks ago, Liv let Allie and me in on her dirty little secret. After countless one-night stands with men who either didn’t do anything for her or ones who didn’t get the hint that she wasn’t looking for a relationship, she contacted a male escort service. For the last fourteen months, Liv has been a satisfied customer…very satisfied. When she insisted on making both Allie and me appointments, I refused, and not because I’m still holding on to my childish fantasy, but because paying for sex feels dirty.
Last week, after Allie discovered her boyfriend had already moved on, she caved and allowed Liv to arrange an evening for her. The next day, while buzzing with enthusiasm, she claimed she had the best night of her life. I’m currently experiencing a twenty-month dry spell, and apparently, I did nothing to hide the jealously I felt listening to her proudly describe every sensual detail.
Telling Liv no was hard enough; fighting both of them became impossible…which leads me to now.
I’m sitting at a bar in a fancy restaurant—wearing my short black cocktail dress that proudly displays my boobs while hugging my hips, leaving little to the imagination—and hoping—no scratch that—praying the man I’m paying to have sex with me finds me at least a little desirable.
“Oh, God,” I groan to myself, closing my eyes while inhaling a breath, trying to muster up the strength I need to get through tonight.
A deep voice from the other side of the bar interrupts my panicked thoughts. “What can I get for you?”
“Vodka tonic.” I open my eyes and look up at the attractive bartender.
“Coming right up, sweetheart.”
My stomach flutters while the bartender, who’s covered in tattoos and sporting a sexy bun, eyes my chest like he’s a starving man who’s about to feast on his first meal in weeks. With my confidence slightly renewed, I sit up straight, ready to test my ability at holding a meaningless conversation, when I feel a hand slide up my back.
“Sorry I kept you waiting, baby.” After tucking a strand of my long, wavy, ash-brown hair behind my ear, a man wearing a black long sleeve shirt standing next to me brushes his lips across my cheek. Then he places his hand over mine—almost possessively—as he motions to the bartender with his head. “Make that two.”
I turn on the bar stool, capturing my first real look at the man who accepted money from my friend to sleep with me. From the moment I agreed to Liv’s crazy plan, I’ve allowed my mind to run wild. I pictured a muscular model who lives in a gym. Instead, I’m greeted by a sexy down-to-earth guy with short, lightly tousled copper hair, warm chocolate eyes, and a nice bronze tan who’s sporting a short beard that’s dusted with a few grey hairs, which tells me I’m dealing with a man, not a kid.
“Hello,” I say through a nervous breath. “You’re from…from…”
He nods his head with a smile that barely tugs at the corner of his mouth. “Yes, and you’re gorgeous.”
The bartender sets our drinks down and moves on without another look my direction.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr.…” I clear my throat, hating the fact that tonight, I’m a foregone conclusion.
“James.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you Mr. James.”
“James isn’t my last name,” he corrects with a laugh as the maître d’ appears next to us. “Your table is ready.”
I pick up the glass in front of me and down my drink in one long gulp before grabbing my clutch off the bar. “I’m ready.”
James chuckles next to me, but I choose to ignore him and follow the man to our table. As I’m walking through the restaurant, it feels like everyone is staring at me. I might as well have a bright neon sign with the word whore flashing above my head because, right now, that’s exactly how I feel.
“Your waiter will be with you in a moment.”
The flutters in my stomach return when James pulls my chair out for me. “Thank you,” my voice cracks while I sit down as Mazzy Star’s “Fade Into You” starts playing in the background.
“You’re welcome,” he replies before taking the seat across from me. James’ gaze locks with mine. Minutes pass and I start to feel sick to my stomach as an uncomfortable silence lingers between us. “I’m sorry,” I say, leaning into the table. “This is awkward. I feel awkward, don’t you? No, of course, you don’t, you’re just doing your job but I’ve...never done this before.”
His eyes soften, and he reaches his arm across the table and slides his hand into mine. “Relax, Nora, and trust me to take care of you.”
His words wash over me, instantly calming the storm raging in my mind. “Oh…kay,” I sputter, wondering what in the hell I managed to get myself involved with.
EVAN
I told myself I was done. I’ve made more than enough money to pay for Aidan’s schooling and I can’t…no, I won’t risk him knowing I’ve accepted money in exchange for companionship…for sex. Jason, Dylan, Damian, hell, most of the guys don’t think twice about what we’re doing, but I’m raising a teenaged son, and that’s not exactly the example I want to set for him. Unlike some of the guys, I took Jason up on his offer because I’ve already loved and lost. That ship has sailed and, somehow, I convinced myself I wasn’t harming anyone. But I am…I could…and that person is my world.
I met Jason for a beer and explained my concerns. He immediately told me family comes first, and that I should do what I think is best for me. Next, I set a plan in motion. I talked to my regulars and referred them to one of the other guys, then I stopped taking appointments altogether. Two weeks later, I noticed how lonely my life truly was, especially on the nights when Aidan was out with his friends.
Meeting Nora tonight is a pure fluke. I happened to stop in the shop to see how things were going when a woman came in wanting to schedule a night for her friend. Jason was about to turn her down or ask her to reschedule because everyone was busy when I spoke up and told him I was available.
After the details were finalized, I started to regret my decision when I learned I had to dress up and drive clear across the city only to eat at a stuffy restaurant. But a strange ache formed in my chest the second my eyes landed on Nora. She’s fucking beautiful, yet I watched with interest while she sat at the bar doubting herself. I have no idea how long I stood there staring at her, but when I noticed the way that jerk-faced bartender was checking her out, I decided it was time to come to her rescue.
On the way to our table, I had to fight an erection while I watched the way her ass swayed in that fucking tight little dress, a dress I very much want to rip off her body.
Snapping out of my thoughts, I make sure to smile while I squeeze her hand. “Tonight doesn’t have to be anything more than you want it to be.”
Her eyes go wide. “Shit. I was right,” she groans, pulls her hand from mine, and places both of them over her face. Before I have the chance to ask her what she’s talking about, a voice, one I’d recognize anywhere, hollers through the restaurant.
“Oh my…Evan,” my mother says, her face beaming with excitement as she stops at our table. “Your father and I are here with the Thompsons. Sandy said she thought that looked like you, but I knew she had to be wrong, only…she’s not.” Mom turns to my date, holding her hand out. “I’m Heather, Evan’s mother. It’s so nice to meet you.”
“Evan?” Nora sputters. Her eyes are now as wide as sliver dollars when she glances in my direction. I open and close my mouth several times, trying to decide what I should say while my mother continues talking like I wasn’t just stabbed in the chest with a ten-inch butcher knife…pun intended.
“How long have you two been dating? Aidan mentioned that you’ve been going out a lot, but I didn’t believe him, at least, not until now.” She places her hand over her heart. “Oh, Evan, I can’t tell you how happy this makes me.” Tears shimmer in her eyes, and I’m suddenly presented with a serious problem.
My parents loved Bethany. Like me, they were devastated when she died, but unlike me, they feel enough time has passed, that I should be ready to move forward with my life, romantically speaking. I haven’t seen my mother appear this ecstatic—at least not regarding anything that directly involves me—in a very long time.
“I’m Nora Shaw, it’s very nice to meet you.”
“Oh, Nora. That’s a beautiful name.” Mom’s eyes continue to gleam. “I want you to come for dinner tomorrow night. I’ll fix Evan’s favorite, City Chicken.”
Nora gapes, immediately looking at me for help. “Mom. I think Nora has plans.”
“Oh,” Mom replies, a crestfallen expression replacing her earlier excitement. It feels like someone is twisting that fucking knife in my chest, at least, that’s my only reasoning for what I say next.
“Unless…you’re free?”
At my comment, Nora’s head twists back and forth like she’s in the Exorcist. “Ummm…oh…yes? I’m free?” she finally mumbles, making her comment sound more like a question.
Mom instantly claps her hands. “Six o’clock, Evan, and make sure Aidan is with you.” She turns and looks directly at Nora, placing a hand on her shoulder. “It was a pleasure to meet you. I can’t wait until tomorrow.”
Nora’s voice cracks, “Yeah, it was great meeting you.”
Mom directs another huge smile toward me before she walks back over to where my dad and the Thompsons are seated.
“Well, shit,” I say through a long exhale.
“Did I just get invited to your mother’s house for dinner?” Nora questions, with a raised brow.
“I should have told her no. Sorry. I’ll come up with an excuse tomorrow.” I rub my temples, wondering how I’m going to get myself out of this mess.
“Evan…that’s your real name?”
Jason set up a virtually bulletproof plan when he asked his friends if they wanted to be a part of The Meat Market side business. Clients don’t have my phone number or my real name…at least, not until now.
“Yes. My first name is Evan; my middle name is James.”
“Okay.” She blinks her eyes a few times before asking, “Who is Aidan?”
I hate the fact that I’ve finally—no matter how insignificantly—involved him in my business. I lower my voice and answer, “He’s my son.”
Instead of judgment, she nods like she’s processing the last five minutes. “Okay, and your mother clearly has no idea what tonight’s truly about, but now she thinks you have a girlfriend.”
“Fuck,” I groan. “I’m not even sure how this happened. I’ve never run into my parents before when…” I wave my hand back and forth between us. “Well, you know.”
The waiter walks up to the table and, without asking Nora what she wants, I order for the both of us, including an expensive bottle of wine. When I glance back at her, she’s watching me, with a gleam of interest. “I hope you’re hungry,” I joke.
“What should I call you? Evan or James?”
I chew on my bottom lip, deciding how I should answer. More days than not, I feel like two completely different people. James is fun, carefree, relaxed, while Evan is faithful, caring yet somber. But now that she knows my real name, it feels weird to continue to be someone I’m not. “You can call me whichever name you prefer.”
“Okay, but…I’m confused. Am I going to your parent’s house tomorrow? Because I think I just gave your mother the impression that I am, and I’d hate to lie.”
I burst out laughing while relief soaks through my skin like a hot summer day. “You lying to my mother is the least fucked up part of this situation.”
She smiles at the same time the waiter fills our wine glasses. “I was worried when I got here. You’re not at all what I pictured. Better…” she quickly adds when I lift a brow in question. “I just thought this whole night would be crazy awkward but now that I know you’re...I guess for lack of a better word, normal, my nerves have finally settled.”
“Good to hear.” I glance across the restaurant, taking in the way my mother is casually watching us. “Why don’t you tell me a little about yourself?”
Her amber colored eyes sparkle while she unknowingly plays with a strand of her long, silky hair. “Oh, that’s easy. Boring but easy. I work for Shiver Investments. I’m a transplant from New York. I’ve only been in Chicago for a few months.” She sucks her bottom lip into her mouth for a quick second before she adds, “Sadly, this is the first time I’ve been anywhere other than work or my apartment.”
“Did you leave anyone behind in New York?” My question comes out of nowhere. I don’t inquire about anything personal. I smile and listen. I’m a shoulder to cry on when needed. Unless a client volunteers information, I steer clear of anything personal…until now.
“No, I left New York free and clear. However, if I’m being honest…” She places her chin in her hand. “I’m not even sure why I’m here tonight. This…you...what I agreed to…it’s not me.”
Her confession doesn’t surprise, what does is the amount of relief I feel knowing she doesn’t make a habit of calling escort services. When I first noticed her, she appeared sweet, almost innocent, and I’m happy to know my first impression wasn’t wrong. “I’ll repeat…relax, and trust me to take care of you.” Her mouth quirks up, and I swear, it’s like I can see the unease drain from her body as she nods her agreement.