“Someone take one for the team, and the rest of us will deal with Mr. Gretzky.”
“Shut the fuck up, Grace.” Chelsea looked so exasperated that she almost passed out.
“Ladies,” Monique interrupted with finality, “I will go downstairs and tell them that no one is available today if itpleases the lot of you, but keep in mind that this may happen again, and we should establish an age policy beyondnot going to jail.”
“Twenty would be good,” Yvette mumbled. “Virgins are delicate enough as it is. One that’s still in high school? Fuck that. I’m grossed out.”
“Just think, if it were a girl the same age, there would be no question if it’s wrong.”
“There is no right or wrong in this situation,” June interjected. “He’s eighteen. It’s legal. For fuck’s sake, one of your lot’s brains isn’t even fully developed yet.” She shot that comment to Holly. “We are professionals, and this is a part of our job. Is it archaic? Yes, but so is a lot of other paternalistic shit we deal with every day. It’s our job. That said,” she could see the reddening cheeks and furrowed brows all around her, “there may be no right or wrong, but there are comfort levels and our own hard boundaries. We all have the right to turn down a client if we think it pertinent, for whatever reason. I understand, but watch the language. There will be no judgment if someone decides to take on this kind of client. Because, regardless of his circumstances and who is paying for his fun, he is still a client who deserves professionalism on our part. As long as that young man consents, he has the privilege to ask for our services. We also have the right to say no.”
“No,” Chelsea said. “Hell, no.”
“That young man is young enough to be my brother back home. I don’t think so.”
“I may be the youngest one here, but that’s pushing it for me. I was done with teenagers when I graduated high school.”
The only one not jumping in to say no again was Grace, who studied the carpet with a pensive look. “I’ll do it.” She turned to Monique. “Double my rates for him. I want to keep the difference for myself. That way, you still get your cut sinceit’sjust another client, and I get fairly compensated for how frustrating this is.”
“Done.” Monique braced herself against the arms of the lounge chair and heaved herself up. “Go get ready.”
“I will.”
“As for the rest of you,” that was not directed to June, who was already picking her bags up again, “I want all three of you down in the Receiving Room to make sure the first Mr. Gretzky is comfortable.”
“What about June?” Yvette asked.
“She has an appointment soon. None of you do.”
Grumbling, the others filed out of the room, leaving Monique alone with June.
“Nice speech,” the madam said, slowly heading toward the door. “I must admit, I didn’t see this situation coming anytime soon. We are all thinking the same thing.”
“Yeah, well, I’ve done more ethically ambiguous things in this business, and that was when I wasyounger.” June slung some bags over her shoulder. “I’d be too much for that kid, anyway.”
“Probably. You would probably scare him out of the room.”
“I can be demure too, you know.”
“Do you want to be?”
They were at the door. “Only for the right one.”
“Speaking of the right one, both Dr. Christie and Ms. Bolivar have upped their bids.” Monique grinned. “They’re quickly approaching $50,000 for your monthly fee.”
“Excellent.” That kind of money would go a long way, even if she only kept a percentage and had an expensive image to maintain. “Who was the last to bid?”
“Ms. Bolivar, with 45k.”
“Then I’ll make sure that Sette has a good time today.”
“Do that.” Monique turned toward the grand staircase. “See you later.”
June was almost to her room when a familiar face popped out of her own and tore across the hall to intercept her.
“Hey!” Holly shoved herself into June’s doorway, one arm stretching across the frame and blocking the poor woman’s entrance. “Can I talk to you for a second?”
Sighing, June dropped her bags and turned to the boisterous troublemaker who was more issue than an annoyance. “What is it? Have a problem with what I said back there?” Holly would be the kind to raise a stink.
