“Wow, you look pretty. Are you going somewhere?” Shae asks.

“I have a date with Robert, remember?”

“Are you still going?”

“Of course, why wouldn’t I?”

“Han, a guy just gave you fifty grand for three dates. I thought you were going to retire and invite me to go with you to a paradise island where hot guys would serve us cocktails and give us massages.”

“Anyone in particular in this fantasy of yours?” I play along.

“Jason Statham, Hugh Jackman and Gerard Butler.”

“You’ve given this a lot of thought, huh?” I mock.

“Oh yeah. We’ve all agreed to live in a polygamy community and repopulate earth in case a zombie apocalypse happens.”

I laugh at the certainty of her statement. “You have a type.”

“Big and delicious? And the hair, I’m a sucker for great hair and in Jason’s case, it’s just because he’s yummy. But stop trying to distract me from the matter.”

“Right. Well, I already arranged a meeting with Robert and I thought it would be rude to cancel. He’s been really attentive every time we message and he called me last night to confirm our date.”

“Hannah, I’m having a proud moment. I feel like this is your graduation day and I’m the mom yelling at the back.”

Shaking my head I offer, “Not even close. You’re more like the little demon trying to corrupt me.” Pointing a finger at her I remind her I’m still a little pissed, “I still haven’t forgotten that you set me up yesterday. I thought you were on my side.”

“I am,” she states. “I saw your face when you rejected that guy, Hannah. You wanted to see him again and I just gave you the little push you needed.”

“What happened with rule number two?”

“That doesn’t mean you can’t like a sugar daddy. It’s okay to look.” She wiggles her eyebrows as she adds, “and touch.”

“You’re impossible.” I’m thankful that she messaged Tristan, but I won’t admit to that, not today anyway.

“Besides, we saw his profile and his information is accurate. What he told you is true. Cordelia confirmed he’s been a member there for almost six months and so far, he’s never had any contact with any of the sugar babies that have tried. Which means he really likes you.”

“I feel weird thinking about him as a sugar daddy, he’s not that old,” I admit.

“How old is he?”

“I don’t know. The only thing I know about him is his name and that he’s a gentleman.”

“Good thing you’ll have plenty of time to get the rest of the details.”

“Well, we have a couple of days before I go back home.”

“What? Why? You can send your dad and Holly the money and stay a little while longer.”

“I would love to, but I can’t abuse the help Nat and Danny are giving me right now.”

As if on cue my phone rings. When I see my dad’s number I smile.

“Hey dad, how are you doing?”

“How many times do I have to tell you I’m doing fine. I’m just checking in, like you insist I do every day.”

“I’m sorry. Are you annoyed at me for wanting you to keep me updated?” My tone is playful, my dad was getting stronger and better each day but his immune system was still weak and caught pneumonia. The doctor ordered him to stay at the hospital and Nat has been keeping me informed of everything happening with him and Holly. I feel a little homesick and miss them like crazy, but I remind myself that this is what I need to do to help them.

“I’m supposed to be the one checking up on you and asking for hourly calls. I’m your dad, remember?”

“Well, I’m well, thank you for asking. I’m enjoying Shae’s company and we’re about to go out to do a little sightseeing.” Shae shakes her head at me. I know she doesn’t approve of me lying to my dad about the real reason why I came to New York, but he has enough on his plate and a little white lie won’t hurt.

“Then go already. Why are you still on the phone with me?”

“Because I love hearing your voice, Dad. It makes me happy. How’s Holly?”

“She’s okay.” His tone turns from playful to sorrow and I know something’s not right.

“What is it? And don’t tell me there’s nothing wrong because I can hear it in your voice.”

“She’s lonely,” he admits. “The doctor allowed her to come see me once a day but with me being sick, he doesn’t want to risk her health and now we can only speak over the phone. I know she loves having Nat to help her but she can’t be there all day. You know how a nurse goes by the house to help her get clean and check on her progress?”

“Yeah.”

“I hate that every time the nurse leaves she’s left there alone until Nat gets there late at night. I can sense her fear. You know she hates the dark.”

“I’ll think of something, I’m sure there’s a way I can help her out.” I haven’t told my dad about the money, there’s no way I could explain how I earned fifty thousand dollars in exchange for three dates with a man I don’t know. But knowing I can provide them with whatever they need, and that I can get my mom’s ring back, makes me realize I made the right decision.

“Don’t worry about it, I’m sure I’ll get discharged soon and then I’ll spend all day with your sister. She might feel different about being lonely then.”

“Mr. Hartley, it’s time for your medication.” I can hear the nurse in the background.

“I have to go, nasty pills time,” he jokes.

“Okay dad, I’ll talk to you tomorrow. I love you.”

“Love you too, take care.”

When the call ends I see Shae giving me a look, but before she can say anything I hug her goodbye and get out of her apartment, not wanting to be late for my date.

* * *

“And this is my daughter, Alicia.” Robert says, showing me a picture of him with a beautiful blonde teenager with sparkling green eyes. In the photo, they’re camping and they look like they’re having a great time.

“She’s gorgeous. How old is she?”

“Sixteen. She’s the best daughter in the world. Smart and with a great sense of humor.” I can see the pride shine through his eyes when he speaks of his daughter and I smile.

“I bet you have to scare the boys away.”

“I’m sure I will have to at some point. She’s very mature and focusing on school right now. After her mom and I separated, I expected her to be upset and maybe throw a tantrum or two, but it never happened. She’s a straight A student and she keeps doing her activities as usual.”

“What worries you then?” I inquire when I see the worry on his face.

“You’ll think I’m crazy but it’s too perfect.”

“How so?”

“Her mom and I decided to separate on good terms mostly because we didn’t want for Alicia to feel like she needed to choose a side and we were prepared for her to react, but she never did. I don’t know if that worries me more.”

“Have you talked to her about it?”

“Yes, and every time I get the ‘I’m fine dad.’”

“What about her mom? What does she think?”

“She’s wary, like me, but so far she hasn’t notice any change in her behavior. I think we were expecting a different outcome because all our friends who’ve gotten divorced had trouble with their kids. Some even started taking drugs, trying to get their parents attention.”

“We all react differently.”

Robert nods. “That’s true, and unlike our friends, we didn’t hate each other, we just felt like we grew apart. I know I still love my wife, but we got to a point in our lives where we changed and the connection doesn’t feel the same.”

“But it’s still there, maybe you just need to make a few adjustments. Take a step back and think of what made you both fall in love and work from there,” I offer.

“You know, you’re the first person to tell me this. Most of my friends just told me to get a good deal and move on. Which is why I’ve started going on dates.”

“And how do you feel about it?”

“Honestly, this is the first time I don’t feel like I’m a pervert,” he laughs and rubs his forehead.

“You didn’t give me the pervert vibe at all,” I joke, trying to lighten the mood.

“That’s more me than the girls I’ve seen. I just like having nice conversations. I miss having someone to talk to after a long day at work.”

“Why don’t you tell your wife that?” I know I might be overstepping some boundaries, but Robert doesn’t seem the guy who’s looking for a new girlfriend and the way he talks about his family shows how much he misses it. “In fact, I’m going to call our date short and I’m going to leave you so you can call her right now and tell her exactly that.”

“What? She’ll think I’m a fool for saying that.”

“Robert, I’m not the kind of girl who likes to bet, but I’m so sure I’m right that I’ll bet you -” I open my wallet and remove a five dollar bill, holding it so he can see it. “- five dollars that she will be glad that you called and talked to her about it.”

I stand and he follows. “At least let me take you home, I didn’t bring you a present and it’s the least I can do,” he offers.

“I appreciate the offer, but there’s no need.” I move around the table and give him a little hug. He kisses my cheek and says, “thank you, Hannah. I really had a great time.”

“Me too,” I admit. “Remember we have a bet, send me a message and tell me how it went.”

“Will do.”

Walking along the sidewalk, I think about shooting a quick message to Shae and see if she’ll be home so I can bring some takeout when my phone rings and Tristan’s name appears on my screen.

“Hello.”

“Hannah. I just wanted to tell you how gorgeous you look today.”

His words made me giggle. “And how would you know that?”

“Because I love that shade of blue on you.”

I stop and glance at my blue silky top. “That was a really good guess, Tristan.”

“Blue top, black fitted pants and a pair of black heels. Did I mention how much I love when your hair falls and waves around your face.”

“Holy shit, are you here?” I turn from one side to the other until I see a hand waving from the opposite side of the street.

“Right here.” I hear his deep voice through the phone and see his mouth moving in the distance.

“I’m gonna pretend I’m not slightly concerned about this weird coincidence and just say hi,” I wave back and I see him smile.

“Now that we got that out of the way. Are you ready?”

“Ready for what?”

“Our first date.”