Wow, this man was tall.

If I weren’t wearing heels, I was pretty sure I’d look like his kid standing next to him, which was a weird thought. His blond hair was shinier than any person’s I’d ever seen, and he was built like a superhero.

If Thor were a supermodel, he’d look like Warren Gold.

Still, there was something too perfect about him. Something in his eyes I found unappealing. But maybe I was being too judgemental. Incredibly good-looking men were very intimidating, after all. Not to Elodie, of course, but to Ellen they were mythical creatures to be gazed at and never spoken to.

It was a good thing I was here as my alter ego tonight.

“So, Elodie, how did you and Julian meet?” he asked as we danced. It was hard to hear him over the music, which was probably why he leaned close to speak in my ear. His hot breath danced across my skin.

“We live close by and met at our local coffee shop,” I replied, answering as honestly as I could in case he happened to ask Julian the same question. I sensed an uneasy vibe between them and suspected Warren’s date, Marie, might be an ex of Julian’s. The woman had practically eaten Julian up with her eyes, even though she was on the arm of the most attractive man in the room.

“How quaint. I thought you might’ve been a client of his.”

A client? I realised I still hadn’t asked Julian what he did for a living. When we spoke, I always got so distracted, fascinated by every word that came out of his mouth. I didn’t want to give anything away, so I simply replied, “No, I’ve never been his client.”

Something I said piqued Warren’s interest. “Well, if you’re ever interested, I’d be more than happy to take you on.”

“Oh? You’re in the same business?”

“We are. Just ask Marie if you’d like a reference.”

Okay, now I was confused. Luckily, the song ended and Julian swooped in. “My apologies, but I have to steal Elodie away. There’s someone I’d like her to meet.”

“Of course,” Warren replied, taking my hand and kissing it in farewell, a seductive glint in his eye. “Until we meet again, beautiful Elodie.”

I linked arms with Julian and he led me away. “Wow, he’s intense.”

Julian gave an amused laugh. “That’s one way of putting it.”

“How do you know him anyway? Is Marie an ex of yours?”

He arched an eyebrow. “What makes you think that?”

I shrugged. “The way she looked at you.” A pause as I glanced at him. “The way you looked at her.”

He seemed hesitant to answer, not meeting my gaze. “I guess you could call her something of an ex, though we were never in a relationship.”

“So, she was a hookup?”

“Along those lines, yes.”

“And you don’t like Warren because she’s with him now?”

We walked by a table of hors d’oeuvres and I swiped a little cracker with salmon and cream cheese. I’d been so nervous for tonight that I’d barely eaten all day and hunger was starting to creep up on me. Julian exhaled deeply and guided me further through the fancy room.

“There are many reasons why I dislike Warren, but none of them have to do with his current relationship with Marie.”

I popped the cracker in my mouth and chewed. “Okay, so tell me one of them.”

“Has anyone ever told you it’s impolite to speak with your mouth full?”

“Elodie never claimed to be a lady. Now spill. I want to hear why you hate Thor, Supermodel Edition.”

Julian laughed at this. “Hate is a very strong word. But one of my main gripes with Warren is that he tried to seduce Rose a few years ago, with every intention of discarding her afterward.”

Huh. Rose was the woman who’d come with him to the bookshop. “Were you and Rose together at the time?”

He shook his head. “Rose is my closest friend. We’ve known each other since we were children and our mothers entered into a polyamorous relationship with one another. In fact, she’s more like a sister.”

“A polyamorous what?” I gaped at him. If I hadn’t already swallowed, I might’ve choked.

“Polyamory is when you enter into a relationship with more than one person. Unlike me, my mother was bisexual, though she had a preference for men. Anyway, the point is, Rose and I have been through a lot together, and I was not going to allow Warren to hurt her. Luckily, she was wise enough to see through him.” He eyed me meaningfully.

“Don’t worry. I can see through him, too. There’s something not right about his eyes.”

Julian appeared relieved. “I’m glad to hear it. Warren will love you and leave you, Ellen…I mean, Elodie.”

“Well, it’s a good thing Elodie isn’t looking for a relationship right now.”

“And what about Ellen?” he questioned, seemingly interested.

“Ellen will be happy enough just to get by without having a panic attack every time a stranger tries to talk to her.”

Julian tutted. “That’s no life for a pretty girl like Ellen.”

He thought I was pretty? Colour stained my cheeks as I whispered, “We can’t always have it all.”

He turned to face me now, his face full of sincerity and warmth. “My dear, you can have anything you set your mind to.”

A silence fell as I looked around the room. These celebrities lived in a whole other world, and I certainly understood the ordinary person’s fascination. It was a world where everyone appeared to be living their best life. Julian didn’t seem to be a part of it, but rather, on the fringes. A welcome guest but not a fully-fledged member. I glanced at him and found him studying me.

“What are you thinking about?”

“About you,” I answered honestly. “You have quite an interesting life.”

His eyes held a sparkle. “Oh Elodie, you don’t know the half of it.”

I was locked in his gaze again. If I wasn’t careful, I could get lost there. I looked away, scanning the room. “So, who was it you wanted to introduce me to?”

His tone was playful. “Are you familiar with the work of J.K. Rowling?”

My mouth fell all the way open. “Shut up! She’s here?”

Julian motioned me forward. “Come along. We met while I was holidaying in Fiji last year. The woman is a delight.”

By the time the night was through, Julian had introduced me to so many celebrities my head was fit to burst. I was on a buzz as we climbed into a cab to head home. I’d be high off the adrenaline of that party for months. And the fact that they all believed Elodie was a real person? So exhilarating.

It was a victimless crime. Well, except for Suze. I was still trying to figure out what to do about her. Maybe it would be best if Elodie just ghosted her, but the idea of letting her go hurt. I’d come to like Suze a lot.

When we arrived at my house, I turned to Julian. “Do you want to come in for a little while?”

His smile was teasing. “I never sleep over on the first date.”

I swiped him on the shoulder. “Not what I meant! I just…I still feel too excited to sleep. Tonight’s been amazing.”

His expression was tender. “It was certainly a lot of fun painting the town red together.”

I opened the door to the cab. “So…”

Julian pulled out some money to pay the driver. “Fine, I’ll come in for a little while, but I’m warning you, if you get handsy I’m gone.”

The cab driver chuckled quietly in the front. I rolled my eyes. “Trust me, your virginal body is safe with me.”

We stepped out of the cab and Julian gave a loud hoot. “This body hasn’t been virginal since the Monica Lewinsky scandal.”

I slotted my key in the door, chuckling. I wasn’t tipsy since I’d only had two drinks. I’d been too busy taking it all in. The party. The people. The thrill of pretending.

Rainbow and Skittles chirped in their cage when I came in. “Hello, my babies!” I greeted jovially, high on life. Julian walked into the kitchen behind me as I opened their cage. Skittles flew out and perched on a wood beam close to the ceiling, while Rainbow came to sit on my shoulder, fascinated by my wig.

“Vocal little things, aren’t they,” Julian commented as he took a seat by the table.

“Yep. This house wouldn’t be a home without them.”

“How long have you had them?”

“Almost six years. I got them soon after I moved to London. But lovebirds can live for up to fifteen years, so they’ll be around for another few years yet.”

“Will you be sad when they die?”

“Of course! It’s like losing any pet. They’re my best friends.”

Julian’s expression softened, and I realised how sad that sounded. My closest friends in the entire world were my pet birds. I grimaced.

“It’s not as pathetic as it sounds, I promise.”

“I don’t think it sounds pathetic at all. Look at this beautiful house and those wonderful birds. You’ve got it made.”

“Yes, well, I could stand to try for a little more human interaction.”

“You’re already doing it. Tonight, you were charming celebrities like you’d been doing it your whole life.”

I held up a finger. “Correction. Elodie charmed them. Ellen would’ve hidden under a table and waited for it all to be over.”

“You do realise that you are Elodie. She’s right there inside of you. You just need to dress up in order to let her free.”

I petted Rainbow’s head and placed him back in the cage before he decided to poop on my wig. It was often a hazard of letting your pet birds sit on your shoulder.

“Yes, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to be like her while I’m…me. This is going to sound confusing, but when I’m Elodie, I’m more myself than when I’m actually being myself.”

Julian was quiet a moment, thinking. I pulled two bottles of water out of the fridge and handed him one. He took it and silently unscrewed the cap. “What if you try a slow progression? You could keep being Elodie until one day you feel comfortable not to wear high heels. Then, maybe a couple of weeks later you’ll wear jeans instead of a dress, and so on.”

I exhaled. “You’re making it sound simpler than it is. This is a psychological block. It’s not so easily overcome.”

“Well then, you just keep going out as Elodie and see where it leads. What’s the worst that could happen?”

“I could suffer the ultimate mortification of being found out. Oh, wait, that’s already happened,” I deadpanned.

Julian smiled. “Exactly. And did the world come to an end? No, it didn’t. If pretending to be Elodie makes you happy, then you keep on pretending. Lots of people have alter egos, just look at drag queens. You’re no different.”

I pointed my water bottle at him. “It’s funny you should say that. Elodie actually began when I won a makeover at a drag show I went to with Bernice and Felicity.”

Julian slammed his hand down on the table. “Shut up! I love that. So, you got made over and just decided to keep doing it?”

I nodded as I swallowed a gulp of water. “I met Suze that same night. I think I was just so excited that someone like her wanted to be my friend that I kept up the ruse. Now I’m in too deep.”

“Not necessarily. You can always come clean when you feel ready. I’m sure Suze will understand. Besides, you’re more comfortable to be yourself as Elodie, so Suze still knows you, Ellen. She just knows you with more makeup and different hair.”

I worried my lip. “Yes, but…I’ve lied to her about so many things. All the stories I’ve told her about my adventurous love life, they’re all fake.”

His expression sobered. “If Suze isn’t willing to forgive you for lying, then there isn’t much you can do about it. You made a mistake, but you’ll move on from it.”

My chest deflated at the idea of losing Suze. “I guess you’re right.”

Julian levelled me with a sincere look. “My philosophy in life is to do what makes you happy. So long as you’re not hurting anyone else, there’s no reason to feel shame.”

“More people should have that philosophy.”

“That’s what I say but who listens to me?”

“I do.”

A flash of affection. “Well, you’re special.”

Something in his tone made my heart beat faster. I drank more water then finally asked a question that had been nagging at me. “Julian, what do you do for a living?”

His face clouded. “Why do you ask?”

“Tonight, when I was dancing with Warren, he said you two were in the same business. I realised I still haven’t asked what you do.”

Julian stared at the table, then his magnetic eyes flicked up. “Do you promise my answer won’t change our friendship?”

“Of course it won’t.”

He still seemed unsure. Nonetheless, he held my gaze as he answered. “I’m a male escort.”