“Elise Berry. How may I help you?”
Kathleen cleared her throat. “Hello. This is Dr. Kathleen Knowles. I—I was wondering if I might—um—book an escort for a night for dinner,” she added hastily.
Elise’s voice came through low and refined. “That could be arranged, Doctor.”
“Um—please call me Kathleen.”
“I’d be happy to, Kathleen. Would you prefer one of the other ladies.”
“No, no,” she said quickly. “I only want Veronica if she is available.”
“Hold a moment while I check her appointment list.”
Kathleen’s heart sank. She should have known Veronica would be popular. She’ll probably have to wait in line for God knows how long. At that thought, she felt a twinge of somethingshe’d couldn’t quite put her finger on. Whatever it was, it wasn’t pleasant.
Elise came back on the phone and asked, “Do you have a date in mind?”
Kathleen replied hopefully, “Tomorrow night. If she’s available.”
“She is. Same pick-up arrangements?”
“No. I’ll meet her at the restaurant.”
“Very good. We’ll send you a confirmation text once it’s set.”
“Thank you,” Kathleen said in a low voice, then added after a beat too long, “She was... very kind to me the other night.”
There was a slight warmth in Elise’s voice now. “She has that effect on people. Do you have a restaurant in mind?”
“Um, I want somewhere quiet. Do you have any suggestions.”
“Marinos is said to have a good menu and it has quiet booths. Shall I book you one for say, seven o’clock. Would that be acceptable?”
“It sounds fine,” said Kathleen with relief.
“Very good,” said Elise softly.
When the line went dead, Kathleen set the phone down slowly, heart fluttering against her ribs.
It wasn’t a big deal. Only dinner.
Another transaction, except it didn’t feel like one.
She turned the card face-down and rested her palms flat on the desk, trying to still the quiet tremor in her breath.
She didn’t know what she wanted from the evening, but she knew what she did want deep down.
She wanted Veronica to notice her.
What to wear was the problem. She’d worn her only decent evening wear dress to the gala, and she wanted to look nice. Tomorrow, as soon as Ted turned up, she’d do some shopping. Tonight, she’d ask her mother to take her to some of those boutiques she loved. Her mother would jump at the chance; sheconstantly nagged her to upgrade her wardrobe and she loved shopping.
In the meantime, she’d plan what she was going to say.
She would show Veronica she wasn’t a total loser when it came to socializing.
CHAPTER SIX
At wit’s end, Marise sat at the desk in her hotel suite, scrolling through her laptop. Ten days she’d waited for Kathleen to book another night with her, but it hadn’t happened.
