Total pages in book: 15
Estimated words: 14086 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 70(@200wpm)___ 56(@250wpm)___ 47(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14086 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 70(@200wpm)___ 56(@250wpm)___ 47(@300wpm)
“I was drunk off my ass and acting like an obnoxious party boy when you met me, so no wonder. Besides, everyone thinks I’m an airhead.”
“Then everyone is wrong, because you’re amazing.” When he shifted around, trying to get comfortable, I held out my arms and said, “Come here.” He curled up at my side, with his head on my chest and his leg draped over mine. I covered us with the tablecloth, because it was the closest thing we had to a blanket, and said, “If you’re cold, I can pull the tapestry off the wall.”
“This is perfect.”
We ended up talking all night, curled up together in the pool of light from those fake candles. The conversation ran the gamut from trivial things like our favorite movies, to deeper subjects, including the frustration we both felt at our stalled-out careers. He’d seemed so different from me on the surface, but it turned out we actually shared a lot of common ground, once I bothered to look a little deeper.
As the first light of dawn tinted the stained glass window and Ryan started to drift off, I found myself asking, “When can I see you again?”
“I thought this was just supposed to be one night. You’re still getting over the terrible thing your ex did to you, and I’m—well, let’s just say there’s a lot you don’t know about me, and you wouldn’t like me very much if you knew the whole story.”
I kissed his forehead and pulled the makeshift blanket over his shoulder. “Let’s talk about it in the morning. And possibly all day tomorrow, if the power’s still out.”
We both settled in, and after a while, he whispered, “Thank you for tonight. It meant more to me than you know.” Ryan fell asleep soon after, as I held him securely.
The first thing I saw when I raised my lids a few hours later was sunlight streaming through that magnificent stained glass window. It splashed a kaleidoscope of colors onto the walls and ceiling, and I sat up and looked around for Ryan, so I could show it to him. But he wasn’t in the room with me, and the hoodie he’d been wearing was draped over the back of the couch.
Since the double doors were open and the lights were on, the city had obviously restored power sometime during the night. Ryan was probably downstairs talking to Benji, so I put on my shoes and hoodie and started to go find him.
That was when I saw the note. It was written in a small, tidy script on the back of one of the clue letters, and it said:
Dear Rick,
Thank you for your kindness, and for being so open with me. I’m sorry I wasn’t brave enough to be open with you, too.
When I said you wouldn’t like me if you knew the whole story, I meant it. The thing is, I’m a prostitute. I was off the clock last night, but I was working the night of the charity raffle. The reason I could afford it was because I gave some guy a blow job in the parking lot, and I used the money on a ticket because it seemed like the perfect place to find some rich clients.
That’s who I am. I wish I wasn’t, but it’s how I survive. And no, I didn’t lie about being a barista, but that part-time, minimum wage job isn’t enough to keep a roof over my head.
It was so tempting to agree to see you again, but guys like me don’t end up with guys like you. We just don’t. As soon as you found out what I was, you’d never look at me the same way again. That would break my heart, because I really liked the way you looked at me.
Anyway, I hope last night started you moving in the right direction, in terms of putting the past behind you. Your ex was a dick, and he never deserved you in the first place. You’re an absolute treasure, Rick, and it’s just a matter of time before you find a man smart enough to realize that. I wish you nothing but the best.
Love always, R.
I swore under my breath as I rushed from the room and down the stairs. Benji was sitting behind the desk, and he exclaimed, “Good morning, Rick! My uncle called a little while ago, and we both want to apologize for what happened with the locks last night.”
“Where’s Ryan?”
“He left about an hour ago, right after the power came back, and he asked me to let you sleep. I hope that was okay.”
“Do you have his address or phone number from the raffle?”
“No, I was only given your names.” He stepped around the desk and stuck an envelope in my hand. “This contains a lifetime pass to The Great Escape. I gave Ryan the same thing. My uncle and I know we screwed up big-time with that lock thing, but we hope you’ll come back and see us.”