Page 14 of Fake it For Good
I looked to Denton, who nodded. “You have nothing to lose.”
“Just my dignity.”
“I assure you, your dignity will be intact,” Della said. “We are very discreet here. No one will know unless you tell them. However, I would caution against that until you’ve talked to your date about it. Some of my ladies are students or work in professional settings. They have their own reputations to protect.”
I sighed and threw up my hands. “Where do I sign up?”
6
NOELLE
We slowed to a walk after a jog left me breathing hard. Marie and I were on a health kick. More likeshewas, and I had somehow been roped into her newest idea of a good time. I wasn’t sure where the fun in running was. I put my hands on my hips and gulped in the cold air, which only made me cough. As if I needed any more proof about how out of shape I was.
“Why are we doing this again?” I gasped.
“Because it feels good!” Marie bounced on her feet like a boxer in the ring. “Your heart is pounding. Your lungs are tight, and your skin is tingling.”
“I think you misunderstood what the definition of feeling good is,” I said. “That’s misery.”
She clapped her hands together. “Tomorrow we’ll run two miles.”
“You run two miles and I’ll meet you at the bench with some water,” I muttered.
“It feels good,” she said again. “Just think, a month ago we could barely make it a mile.”
“I need a drink,” I said. “Something hot and spiked.”
“One lap,” she said. “We have to cool down or we’re going to regret it in the morning.”
I didn’t mind the cooldown. I didn’t mind the walking. It was the running that kicked my ass. While we were walking, Marie got a phone call. “It’s them!”
“Who?”
“The dating agency,” she said while jumping up and down. “I’m rich, I’m rich!”
“Don’t you think you should answer it and find out if you’ve got a date or have been rejected?”
She ignored me. “Hello,” she answered in her phone voice.
I leaned close to hear the conversation. I was curious to know what was happening. “Hello, Marie,” I heard Della say. “I have a client I would like you to meet. He’s the owner of a toy company and in search of a few dates. He’s looking for someone that is outgoing and enjoys the holidays.”
“Can you hold on just a second?” Marie asked.
“Yes.”
She put the phone on mute and looked at me. “This could be good foryou,” she whispered even though the phone was on mute. “A toy company? Come on. You could work for toys!”
“I don’t think it works like that,” I said with a roll of my eyes.
“He needs a companion for several dates,” she said. “You could meet people and do some networking. Talk about the nonprofit and make some connections. This is perfect.”
“What about you?” I asked. “This is your date. Della chose you. Obviously, she thinks you’re a better match for him. I don’t want to piss her off by stealing your date.”
“Yes, I’m sad I would have to give up my first job, but I’m sure I’ll get another,” she said. “I don’t need the money as bad as you do.”
“Thanks,” I muttered. “Now, I sound desperate.”
“Youaredesperate,” she said. “I’m going to tell her.” Marie quickly unmuted the phone. “Della, hi, I know this is going to sound weird, but I was thinking Noelle would be a better fit for this guy. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful or tell you how to do your job, but Noelle is all about Christmas.”
