“But it’s so horrible!” I lean my head against his shoulder, and he laughs, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
He pulls me close against him. I smile to myself, sipping my coffee, and he doesn’t mention anything else about me being in a quiet mood.
If there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s dodging a question and changing the subject. I don’t want to talk about Louis, since I might break our contract to help him out. I don’t want Brady to know anything about that.
I also don’t want to lie. So, it’s easier just to redirect him away from that stuff.
I don’t know how long I can keep it a secret, though. Louis scared me and I’m worried he’s coming unhinged. If that’s happening, he may just get worse. Then it’ll be impossible to hide.
One thing at a time. I need to keep my head in this game. There’s a lot at stake here, and not just the money.
Brady leans closer to me. “Let’s go back to your place,” he says softly.
“Oh, yeah?”
“Show me what you do with your clients normally.”
I laugh a little. “It’s boring.”
“Show me the fun version, then.”
I look back up at him. There’s a smirk on his lips and a shiver runs down my spine.
“Okay then. Come on.” I stand up, take his hand, and we head back to my apartment.8BradyI follow Aria up into her building and I can’t help but feel incredibly curious.
This is where she brings all her clients. All those men, looking to talk to her about… what? About their wives, job, kids? Probably all that and more.
It’s a quiet building made up of a few different units. Her place is on the ground floor and the door is straight ahead.
She unlocks it and pushes it open. She flicks on a few lights automatically, like she’s done this a million times before, which I guess she has.
I shut the door behind me. The place isn’t large, but it’s not tiny. The kitchen is a typically old apartment kitchen, with just a little stove and an outdated refrigerator.
But what strikes me is the simplicity of the place. It’s decorated, but tastefully. It looks modern but understated.
“Very nice,” I say to her.
She shrugs and walks into the room. She automatically grabs a long lighter from a drawer and starts lighting candles that are spread all throughout the room.
I lean up against the counter, sipping my coffee and watching her. When she’s done, she gets a little watering can and waters all the plants she has. When she’s done, she looks back at me.
“I guess that’s a little ritual I do,” she admits.
“I didn’t even notice.”
She laughs a little. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s nice,” I say.
“Yeah?”
I nod. The living room is made up of a couch and a stereo system, a decent high-end one, if I’m not mistaken. There’s a flat screen television against one wall, along with a comfortable couch and a large armchair across from it. Aria walks over to the chair and folds herself into it.
I watch her for a second. “So, this is your element.”
She nods. “Sure is. I’ve spent a lot of time in this room.”
“Looks like a therapist’s office,” I say suddenly.
“That’s exactly what it is.”
I laugh a little bit. The effect is uncanny. It’s simple and modern and clean and calming. There’s no unnecessary clutter, barely any clutter at all. There aren’t any distractions.
“Good job,” I say. “Honestly, it’s impressive.”
She grins at me. “Thanks. It took me a little while to get the effect right.”
I wander over to the couch and sit down. “Is this where they usually sit?”
She nods. “Yep. Sometimes I put on music, sometimes I don’t. Sometimes they put it on. Kind of all depends on their mood, I guess.”
“And then, what, we just talk?”
“Sure.”
“About what?”
“Whatever you want, really.”
I smirk a little. “You think this is a session?”
“Sure,” she says. “If you want it to be.”
I sigh. “You’re in character.”
“I’m always in character. It’s just who I am.”
“Okay then. I’ll play along.” I cross my legs and sip my coffee. “I want to talk about this girl I’m seeing.”
She nods. “What’s her name?”
“Aria.”
“Pretty name.”
“Barely does her justice.”
She smiles a little. “Do you see a lot of women?”
I hesitate. “Sort of. I’m with a lot of women, but I don’t really do… exclusive.”
“Are you exclusive with her?”
“For now,” I say.
“Why would you want to be exclusive with her, but never before with anyone else?”
“Good question,” I say. “She has this sexy therapist vibe to her, you know? It’s impossible to resist.”
“Sounds pretty hot. Does she make you happy?”
“So far.”
“I’m happy for you then. I think it sounds amazing.”
I laugh a little. “So that’s it? You’re just overwhelmingly positive?” I ask her, breaking the story.
“More or less,” she says. “Not always. It depends on their mood, on the conversation, but yeah. As a rule, I’m positive and optimistic for them. I’m an escape into something nicer.”