I groaned at the implication. Feeling like a fool, I placed my forearms on the kitchen counter and rested my forehead on top of them.
Katy walked around behind me. Rubbing my back, she said, “No, no, honey. You don’t understand. I’m not saying that’s such a terrible thing.”
I lifted my head and looked at her, incredulous.
“What!?” I exclaimed. “Have you lost your mind or are you so desperate for a new microwave that you’d put me out on any street corner to get it?”
“Well, no. Of course, not. I’d never do that.”
Relieved, I shook my head. “Good.”
“I wouldn’t put you on any street corner. Greyson’s? Yes.”
“Katy!”
“Oh Maddie, you know I’m only teasing you,” she said with a smirk. “The point I was trying to make is how many times in your life have you given it up to a guy for less? And by less, I mean, way less. For nothing at all.”
“Yeah, I know. But that’s different. I had feelings in those situations. This is not like that.”
“Not yet,” she said with rising tone in her voice.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Well, nothing right now. All I’m saying is you never know what this could turn into if you just give it a chance.”
I scoffed. “Okay, but you’re making me feel like that’s not what’s happening here. On the one hand, you’re saying I’m pretty much a whore and then on the other, you’re suggesting that there's the potential for us to have a relationship? I am totally confused right now.”
“Well, like I said, it’s not happening yet,” she said. “In fact, there’s no way to know for sure without taking the risk.”
I threw my arms skyward in frustration. “You are talking crazy, Katy. Why in the world would Greyson Sinclair be interested in me? He can have any woman he wants.”
Katy paused for a moment. Nodding, she pointed her index finger in my direction and said, “Well, has he asked you to find him any other escorts?”
“No,” I replied. “In fact, I only managed to get one for him, which he hated. He tore up her picture and stepped on it in the floor of his limousine.”
Katy laughed. “There you go.”
“Where do I go, Katy? What does that prove?”
“Maddie, Greyson is communicating to you in his own way that he wants to spend time with you.”
“I’m so confused. If that’s true, why not just tell me that?”
“Simple.”
“It is?”
“Sure. If he asks you out and you say no, you win. But if he pays you and you say no, then it’s just a business deal that didn't work out. He doesn’t lose.”
“But, that’s not what happened.”
“Right, so you’re both getting what you want, for now.”
“For now?”
“Yes, you get the money you need and he gets the opportunity he wants. To use some biz jargon, it’s a win-win deal.”
I felt my shoulders slump. Not that I thought there was any real truth to Katy’s interpretation of this situation, but if there was, did I want to start a ‘relationship’ like this? It sure didn’t seem romantic. Not in the least.
I exhaled. “So, you’re suggesting I just go along with whatever he wants to do with me? To me?”
“No. But, this is Greyson freaking Sinclair we are talking about here. He’s only one of the most intimidating, powerful, sexy, rich, insert whatever adjective you want, men on Earth and he’s paying you to spend time with him! Maddie, wake up!”
“Ugh,” I groaned as I looked up to the ceiling. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore. I’m going to bed.”
“Okay,” Katy said, as I began to walk down the hallway towards my room. “But Maddie…”
Stopping mid-stride, I did a half-turn back towards Katy. “What?”
“Look at it this way. What’s the worst that can happen? So long as you keep it professional, like Greyson does, you’ll have a great time. After all you've been through, don’t you at least deserve that much?”
“I don’t know. I guess so. I’m just sick of screwing up.”
A soft smile lit Katy’s face. “I know sweetie. You won’t. Try not to worry about it.”
“I won’t. I just want to do my best.”
She walked up next to me. Hooking her arm inside mine, she started to walk down the hallway with me towards our rooms.