Page 65 of Role Play (Off the Books #1)

Forrest

By now, Marianne Wescott must be furious. She booked me for the night—not for some charity gala or social function where she needed arm candy, but for what Rina diplomatically calls “the full package.” Five thousand dollars for services I can’t bring myself to provide.

I’ve never stood up a client before. Not once in four years. But tonight, as I stood outside Marianne’s luxury high-rise on Park Avenue, something in me simply…refused. I can’t do it. The thought of being with another woman, even professionally, feels like betrayal.

Because of Sora.

All I can see is her face when she found out about tonight’s “appointment.” The way she smiled too brightly and said she understood, that it was just business, that she was fine with it.

But her eyes—those expressive eyes that can’t hide a damn thing—told a different story.

She tried to be brave, but the hurt in her eyes practically undid me.

It kills me how Sora smiles right before she’s about to cry, like she doesn’t want to inconvenience anyone.

And then she turned away, claiming she needed to work on her new manuscript, thinking I didn’t see the tears.

The memory twists in my chest like a knife.

I’d rather scrub toilets or flip burgers than see that look on Sora’s face again.

I can’t lose her. I won’t risk it. Not for anything. I just need a new plan. Quickly.

Somehow, my aimless wandering has led me to the Upper East Side, and now I find myself standing in front of Rina’s elegant brownstone, staring up at the warm glow emanating from her windows. My finger presses the doorbell before I can talk myself out of it.

The door swings open almost immediately, as if Rina has been expecting me.

She stands in the doorway wearing a burgundy silk pajama set, her tan skin glowing in the warm light of her foyer.

Her dark hair, usually styled straight, falls in loose curls to her shoulders.

Without her usual power suit and three-inch heels, she looks softer, but no less formidable.

She crosses her arms over her chest, one perfectly arched eyebrow rising. “Something told me you’d wind up here tonight.”

No “hello.” No “what are you doing here?” She’s always been able to read me like one of her legal briefs.

“May I come in?” My voice sounds rougher than I intended.

She steps aside, gesturing me into the marble-floored entryway with a grace that reminds me why her wealthy clientele find her so intimidating and don’t test her.

“I was about to pour myself a glass of Macallan. I think you might need one too.” She turns without waiting for my response, leading me through to her study, where a fire crackles in the ornate fireplace. The room smells of sandalwood and old books, a comforting contrast to the chaos in my head.

“Marianne Wescott called me.” Rina pours amber liquid into two crystal tumblers. “Four times.”

“I’m sorry.” I accept the glass she hands me, but don’t drink.

“Don’t be. That woman is insufferable.” She settles into one of the leather armchairs by the fire, tucking her legs beneath her. “Though I do wonder what could possibly have made my most reliable escort stand up a high-paying client.”

I remain standing, too wired to sit. “I quit, Rina.”

There it is. All the words I’d been rehearsing during my hours of wandering, reduced to just those three. But they’re out now. No going back.

She sips her whisky, studying me over the rim of her glass. “I can’t say I didn’t see this coming. But why?”

“I’m in love with someone.”

A slow smile spreads across her face. “Ah, your private client , Sora.” She shrugs. “Taio,” she offers as an explanation to my unasked question.

I shouldn’t be surprised. “Yes. She’s not a typical client which is why I didn’t tell you about her. I wasn’t trying to do anything behind your back?—”

She holds up her palm, stopping me. “I wasn’t worried, Forrest. You know what happens when you build years upon years of trust with someone?”

“What’s that?”

She blinks like I’m clueless. “You give them the benefit of the doubt. You’re not on trial here, Hawkins.”

It’s not like Sora was a paying client. Well, technically, yes. But I never intended on keeping her money. The ten thousand dollars was just leverage so she’d have to see me again. Although now, I may need it.

“Thank you. But it doesn’t change anything.” I set my untouched drink on the mantelpiece. “I need to end this. All of it.”

Rina leans forward, her expression suddenly serious. “And what exactly are you planning to do for money? Your debt to Sean’s firm isn’t going anywhere. Dakota’s school tuition isn’t going to pay itself. And let’s not forget your father’s ranch.”

I run a hand through my hair, frustration bubbling up. “I don’t know, okay? I haven’t figured that part out yet. But I’ll find something. Bartending, security work, hell, I’ll deliver packages if I have to.”

“All of which would pay a tiny fraction of what you’ve been making.”

“I know that,” I snap, then immediately regret it. “I’m sorry. I know how this sounds. Impulsive. Irresponsible. But I had to make a choice tonight, and I chose Sora. I’ll have to figure out the rest.”

Rina’s dark eyes soften almost imperceptibly. “You’re giving up financial security for a woman you barely know?”

“It’s not just about Sora.” I pace the length of the Persian rug. “It’s about me. Who I am. Who I want to be. For years, I’ve justified this job because it was the only way to keep my life from falling apart. But now…” I trail off, struggling to articulate the shift I feel inside.

“Now it’s keeping you from building the life you actually want,” Rina finishes for me.

I nod, grateful for her understanding.

“Sit down, Hawkins. You’re making me dizzy.”

I comply, sinking into the chair opposite hers. The fire pops and hisses between us, casting dancing shadows across the bookshelves lining the walls. There’s an entire row of old academic books, from Rina’s teaching days. The days I knew her as Professor Colt.

“I’m sorry to let you down,” I say quietly. “After everything you’ve done for me. You saved me when I had no other options. I’ll never forget that.”

“I know what you’re thinking, and you are not in my debt. You did a job, you were compensated. I’ve never pitied you, Forrest, and I respect your choices.”

A small, reluctant smile tries to tug on my lips. It barely succeeds. “You sure? I’m not close with my mother, but if I were, I imagine the look on your face right now would be similar to what I’d see if I’d deeply disappointed her.”

Rina places her glass on the side table, leaning forward to meet my gaze directly. “On the contrary, I’m incredibly proud of you.”

That catches me off guard. “Proud? I’m bailing on you, on my responsibilities?—”

“You’re choosing integrity over convenience. Don’t misunderstand me—I’m not saying there’s anything inherently wrong with what we do. But it’s clearly no longer right for you. And recognizing that takes courage.”

I feel something tight in my chest begin to loosen. “So…you’re not mad?”

“Oh, I’m furious about Marianne Wescott. I’ll have to send Saylor or Marcus to salvage that disaster, and I just know she’s going to be insufferable about it.” She waves a dismissive hand. “But at you? No, I’m not mad.”

She rises gracefully, crossing to a sleek desk in the corner of the room. From a drawer, she withdraws a manila folder, which she hands to me before returning to her seat.

“What’s this?” I ask, opening it to find what looks like legal documents.

“A way out,” she says simply. “I’ve been thinking about this for weeks.”

I scan the first page, confusion mounting. “These are loan papers.”

“From my personal accounts, not the business.” She meets my startled gaze calmly. “Enough to pay off Sean’s firm and keep Dakota in her school through the end of the year. That should give you time to find your feet.”

Shock renders me momentarily speechless. It’s nearly a million dollars. “Rina…I can’t accept this.”

“You can, and you will.” Her tone brooks no argument.

“Instead of being indebted to Sean, you’ll be indebted to me.

The difference is, I’m not going to blackball you out of the legal industry.

Go take the bar. Find a good job. I’ll do as much damage control as I can.

Not every single law firm in the city is under Sean’s reach. We’ll find you something.”

“But it’s a lot , Rina. I don’t know when I can pay this back. This is more of a gift than a loan.”

“It’s not a handout. You’re a big boy, Hawkins, and this is the real world. The interest rate is favorable but not charitable. Let’s both assume you’ll be paying me back for quite some time.” A hint of mischief flashes in her eyes. “I may be proud of you, but I’m still a businesswoman.”

I stare at the papers, struggling to process what she’s offering. “Why would you do this for me?”

Rina is quiet for a long moment, staring into the fire. When she speaks again, her voice holds a note I’ve never heard before—something raw and honest.

“Do you know why I started this business after my divorce from Sean?”

I shake my head. “Revenge?”

“Partly.” She gives a short laugh. “I love the idea of scandalizing his arrogant, blue-blooded family. But it actually started with something else—my own encounter with an escort four years ago. I would’ve never done something that daring and risky, but…

” She trails off, getting lost in some memory.

I blink, terrified she’s about to give me details about a risqué night she had with a hired date. In a weird way, Rina can pimp me out no problem, but hearing about her sex life is quite frankly like hearing about my own mother having sex. I can’t think of anything more uncomfortable.

“Um…”

“Now, I don’t kiss and tell?—”

“ Thank god ,” I mutter a little too loudly, and am met by her icy stare.