I chew on my lips, contemplating her words. I've never considered taking this route before. What do I know about escorting other than the crazy stories I hear online? Heck, I wouldn’t know what to do. These men would want an experienced girl, right? They’d probably turn me away if they found out I’m a virgin who doesn’t know the first thing about pleasing a man.
“Oh God!” I bury my face in my hands, hating myself a little for considering this option. “They’ll probably take one look at me and kick me out.”
“Are you insane?” Audrey tugs at my hands, pulling them from my face. “You are exactly the type rich guys pay top dollar to spend an evening with. One look from your big brown doe eyes and they'll be begging to be with you.”
I don’t mind the little ego scratching as it gives me a boost. “Do you really think I should give it a shot?”
“I do,” she says, her eyes dropping back to my measly tips. “It's rare for the casino to have open positions and it’s even more unusual for the casino to have interviews like this. It’s a long shot, I know, but you have to try. For your family.”
For my family.
A part of me feared I’d resort to something like this to make anything close to the money needed for my brother’s care,but I didn’t want to admit it to myself or acknowledge that little voice.
But this is what I have to do. For a few months, maybe longer, then I’ll quit. I’ll leave before I lose myself in a world that I never intended to set foot in.
***
I’m nervous, trembling in my heels as I climb out of the taxi and make my way to the casino. I’ve never been to one before. Spent my entire life in Vegas but never once set foot in a casino, and to think that I’m about to enter one and interview for a position as an escort…
Push it out. Don’t think about it, Sienna.
The bouncers at the entrance are boulders, huge mountains of men with scowls that nearly send me running back the way I came but I fiercely twist my mother’s wedding ring that I wear on my right index finger. The simple gold band reminds me of my family, of the reason I’m doing all of this. I don’t know how much luck it’ll give me, or that I necessarily believe in that kind of thing, but I could use all the luck I can get.
The casino is intimidating. All twelve floors of it. I've seen it before, passed by it frequently but never once given it a single thought and to think I'm about to seek employment with them. All the intensive research indicated that escorts just offer men companionship but I am not naive enough to believe that will come without offering sexual favors. And I’ll have to learn on the job how to do all that.
I have to do this…
I wobble in my heels toward the bouncers. One of them runs a metal scanner over me, his face a mask of steel as he doesso and doesn’t once touch me. The other scans my ID and once they’re both certain I am indeed of legal age, they ask me what I am here for and they let me through, directing me in a cool voice to head up to the conference room on the fifth floor.
I don't breathe until I’m in the elevator, leaning back against the cool walls and forcing myself not to keel over on the floor. It would be humiliating to pass out on my way to an interview.
“Slow deep breaths. Count one, two, three…” I murmur to myself, repeating the instructions I give Jude when he wakes up in pain.
Jude. Just the mental image of my seventeen-year-old brother with his sad eyes and guilty look on his face is enough to kick away some of the nerves. I'm barely trembling when the elevator doors open on the fifth floor. I make my way to the conference room as instructed and when I get to the open door, I freeze.
It shouldn’t surprise me that there are other women here but the sheer number gives me a sinking feeling that I might not get the job after all. The room smells of expensive perfumes and the women are all drop-dead gorgeous with legs for days and the kind of boobs I used to dream of having when I had time to worry about my looks.
Objectively, I’ve always known of my appeal. Hard to be blind to it when my own mother is stunning with features she gave to me. Still, I can't help but feel inadequate in a room with women who probably spent a ton of money on grooming themselves for the day. Shiny hair, nails done, and outfits that probably cost a pretty buck.
And I, well…I wore one of my old dresses with heels a little worn at the soles, but barely anyone will notice unless they takea closer look. I question if I should’ve invested more in my looks today but I shake my head; every penny counts to take care of my brother and besides, there is no need to waste money on a job I might not get.
Think positive thoughts, Sienna. Only positive thoughts.
With another sigh, I walk into the room and I’m about to grab an empty seat when I spot a familiar face. Audrey is seated alone, looking a little less nervous than I am, but I see it in the way she twists her fingers on her lap. Oddly enough, that gives me comfort so I move to occupy the seat next to hers. She startles and looks up, relaxing when she notices me.
“You came,” she beams, reaching over to take my hand and I feel the tremble in hers. “I thought you wouldn’t.”
Truthfully, I wasn't going to but last night, when I arrived home, my brother was in so much pain. His meds were running out and we can’t get him any more without money, so I decided I had to give this a shot.
“You didn’t tell me you were coming either,” I point out.
“Well…I wasn't going to, but…” She bites her lip and I read the conflict in her eyes. Audrey isn’t one for sharing and I never push her for it. To be fair, we’re more colleagues than friends and she has no obligation to tell me her secrets.
“How many do you think they’ll take?” I ask her and I read relief in her eyes when I don’t push for answers.
“There are five open positions,” she responds, turning to look at the ladies in the room with us. There are already ten of us in here and if more show up, it's going to be a fierce competition for those spots.
“Do you think we have any shot here?” I ask, studying the women and up close, they’re even more stunning. Beautifuland sophisticated in ways I can only ever dream of. They seem confident too, more outgoing as they chat among each other and smile as they fill out their applications and paperwork. It's odd to see so many women excited and happy at the prospect of being escorts when I'm a mess of nerves.
