Page 108 of Angels & Whiskey

I groanedas I checked my back office. Fuck, I had a date tonight. For the last few days, all my thoughts were of Autumn and what she was going through. I had no idea how I was going to slip away and go on this date.

“Is it okay if I go to coffee and dinner with Brandi?” Autumn asked as we cuddled on the couch.

“You don’t need to ask permission.” I laughed, but then stopped when I saw the expression on her face.

“Sorry. Habit.” She shrugged.

I kissed the top of her head. “Go have fun. I have stuff I need to take care of.”

She sat up and smiled. “Work stuff?”

I stared into her hazel eyes, contemplating if I should tell her the truth. I knew I should, but I didn’t want to drop the bomb on her when she was finally in a good mood and not crying. Before I met with my client, I would tell my boss it would be my last date. After that, I’d finally explain to Autumn why I was an escort.

“Actually, yeah. I need to do some work.”

“And what is it that you do?”

“We don’t have time to get into all of that. I’ll tell you tonight. Go enjoy your time with Brandi.” I kissed her lips before she stood, then texted my boss and told him I wanted to meet with him before my date.

I arrived at S&R an hour before I had to pick up my date. I was to meet Liz for an early dinner next door to her ex-boyfriend’s workplace. We never questioned why a client wanted to have a date a certain way. Usually with jealousy dates, the ex-boyfriends got one look at us and didn’t do anything because most of the time we were bigger than them and much stronger.

After the date, the ex-boyfriends typically came crawling back because they realized what they had with the woman was something another man would want—and they didn’t do well with having it flaunted in their faces.

“Gabe, what can I do for you?” Mark asked as I entered his office.

I sat in the oversized, plush black chair in front of his desk, crossing my leg over my other knee. “I know you transferred me because you needed more guys at this location—”

“Right.” He nodded.

“I hate to do this man, but today’s my last day.”

He cocked an eyebrow and tilted his head. “Why?”

“I met this girl—”

“Ah, it’s always about a girl. They don’t like to share.” He smiled.

I instantly relaxed and chuckled. “I haven’t actually told her what I do, but yeah … She probably doesn’t like to share.”

“All right.” He nodded. “I’ll keep you on the books just in case, but I’ll make you inactive on the website. If you ever change your mind, or if it doesn’t work out with your girl, you’re always welcome back.”

“Thank you.” I stood and shook his hand. “I’ll come by tomorrow to get my cut for this evening’s date.”

“Perfect.”

“Oh, about the house. Is it okay if I stay? I’ll still pay rent, of course.”

“Sure no problem.” He waved off my question as if it were ridiculous. “The house was rented so you two had a place to stay when you relocated. Since Paul’s still living there, I don’t see why you can’t as well.”

“Okay, thank you.”

“Plus, I’m hopeful you’ll change your mind and come back.”

I chuckled. “Honestly, I hope I don’t. I really like this girl.”

And just like that, I was one step closer to starting a real relationship in—forever.

I met Liz at a small café next door to a coffee shop. After Liz and I had made introductions, we sat on the patio near the front doors.