Lustly(27)
Author: Jennifer Foor

“Why me?”

She leaned forward and pushed the money my way. “I can assure you that this money comes from his pocket. He hasn’t taken a dime from me since he was in college. He’s very successful and quite boring. Why he chose you is beyond me. I suppose he saw you and felt sorry for you in some way. He’s always trying to help people.”

I sat down in the chair in front of her. “Am I even your employee, or am I his?”

“You work for me. If you want more clients I can give them to you. My son is not the boss here, I am.”

“He doesn’t agree with that.” Silently I felt relieved, even though I was yelling. When I left the hotel I hadn’t felt like an escort. Sure, the situation was severely messed up, but Frankie wanted to keep me safe. That much was obvious.

“I’m very sorry I let this happen, Lily.”

I stood up, just wanting to get out of there. “Me too.”

I got halfway out the door before she called me back. “Wait. Take your money. Obviously you earned it, and you need it.”

I took it from her and laughed. “That’s the thing. I didn’t earn it. He paid me to do nothing. I don’t get it. What kind of man pays this kind of money for a woman he doesn’t know?”

“Do you plan on seeing him again? Do you need me to make other arrangements?”

“I’ll let you know.”

I left the house and drove straight to Eli’s office. I was supposed to be there an hour before, not that I had set times, but he’d been calling me for thirty minutes, and I didn’t have the heart to respond, after what I’d done.

Before I got inside my phone started ringing again. I picked it up when I saw the name. “I’m outside.”

“You don’t sound harmed.”

“I was just running late. Thank you for caring.”

“You always call.”

“I had an appointment and it ran over.” I hated myself for letting Eli care about me. I needed to stop it before it got harder for both of us. Now more than ever we couldn’t have any kind of relationship. “I’m coming inside.”

While walking across the parking lot I spotted the woman from my very first visit. She was in tears as she passed me and I didn’t feel like prying, so I kept going.

Eli met me at his office door and closed it behind us. He pinned me against it and leaned in to kiss me. As guilty as I felt I couldn’t push him away. Thankfully it was only a peck on the lips. “You probably think I’m some kind of stalker.”

“I appreciate that you care about me, Eli. Sometimes I feel like you’re the only one that does.”

He brushed the hair away from my face and tucked it behind my ear. “For two months I’ve watched you walk in and out of this office and every time I want you. I know you said we couldn’t be more, but I’m not going to pretend anymore that I’m alright just being your friend. I’m not asking you to go against your vows to your marriage, but when you’re ready to move on I hope we can be more than just friends.”

I looked away, unable to face how much guilt I felt. “That’s just it, Eli. I’ve done things that I don’t know if I can live with. They have nothing to do with my marriage, and as much as I wish I didn’t have to do them again, I know it’s the only way I’m going to get out of my predicament.”

“What are you talking about? Lily, if you’re in trouble you can tell me.”

“No. As much as I trust you, I can’t. I refuse to tell anyone about it. It’s my burden to live with. Just know that if things were different I’d love to see what you and I could have been together. You’re such a kind man. I’ve never felt as safe as when I’m around you, and I appreciate that, but from here on out I need you to be my lawyer, not my friend. I need you to draw up the separation papers and whatever else you do to scare the shit out of cheating spouses.”

He reached for my arm and I pulled away. Tears were already running down my cheeks. “Lily, I’m still going to be your friend. We have to see each other here.”

“That’s just it. We don’t have to anymore.” I pulled out the thousand dollars cash and placed it in his hands. “This should cover whatever I owe you, and to draw up the papers. I’ll pay you the rest when the job is done.”

He looked down at the money and back up at me completely confused. “How did you get this money? Why would you give it to me? Don’t you need it?”

“I need my attorney to be paid.”

Eli stared at me until I would finally look up at him. I could see the hurt in his eyes and it made me cry more. I closed my eyes and felt him grabbing my hand, shoving the money back in it. “Your money is no good here, Lily. For two months you’ve become more than a friend to me. I refuse to let you give me money when I know you need it. I’ll draw up any papers you want. I’ll take everything that man owns and make sure you get it. I’ll do anything to make you smile.”

“Stop it.”

“What?” He tried to grab me again.

“Stop being nice to me. I don’t deserve it, and I certainly don’t deserve you.” I shook my head and pushed past him. “I have to go.”

He followed me out into the parking lot and stopped when we both reached my van. He spun me around before I could get in. “You’re just going to walk away? My friendship means that little to you?”

I shook my head and cried harder. If he only knew how much it meant to me. “That’s not it.”

“Then tell me, Lily. Tell me why you don’t want to see me anymore. Tell me why we can’t be friends. I won’t ask for anything more. You know that.”

“I can’t talk about it.” I covered my face with my hands, feeling embarrassed that we were in a busy parking lot.

He lifted my chin and removed my hands, then started kissing away my tears. Finally he pulled me into his arms and let me cry. We stood there for a while just holding each other. My tears stopped, and I felt calm enough to be able to talk without losing it. Eli spoke first. “Take that money and put it toward a new place.”

“If you knew the truth about me, you wouldn’t want to help me.”

“That’s my decision to make, not yours.”

“Eli, you’re successful and too kind for your own good. You don’t need someone who is so damaged. You need a young woman that can give you children of your own, who only knows what loving you feels like. I can never be that kind of woman again, not after everything. I can’t trust. It’s impossible.”