Stranger - Megan Hart

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had no idea how much training Mrs. Smith gave her gentlemen, only that each was an independent contractor. They set their own rates and negotiated their own dates, and gave Mrs. Smith a cut of the fees for the privilege of providing the scheduling and clients. Both times I’d called the service to arrange for Jack’s company, I’d had to list exactly what I’d wanted for the date with the understanding that anything additional would be taken care of in cash between the two of us. That was the way it worked.

      “Huh,” I said. “Well…far be it from me to tell you how to do your job, Jack, but…”

      He groaned and fell back on the bed, arms flopping out. “Wrong again?”

      I laughed and rubbed his denim-clad thigh. “It’s not wrong if it works for you.”

      He looked up at me through the fall of his hair. “This job didn’t come with an employee manual, okay?”

      “I guess not.”

      He groaned again, then sat up and tried to put the envelope back in my hand. “You don’t have to give me this.”

      “Yes, I do!”

      Laughing, we tussled for a minute until the envelope landed on the floor. We both looked at it. I nudged it with my toe.

      “Don’t you even want to know how much is in there?” I asked.

      Jack shook his head. Then nodded. Then shook it. We laughed again. He was still half-naked and the warmth of his shoulder against mine felt good. I kissed it, tasting the clean salt flavor of sex-earned sweat, and got up. I picked up the envelope and put it in my pocket.

      “Stand up.”

      He did, obedient.

      “Okay,” I said. “You read my file.”

      He grinned. “Yes.”

      “What sorts of things do I like to do, Jack?”

      He thought for a spare second. “Movies. Dancing.”

      “What else?”

      “You like to play games?” he said, less certain. “Roleplay. Like what I tried to do with you tonight.”

      “Yes. I like to play games. So we’re going to play the game right now, and it’s called making a date.”

      Jack raised both brows. “Okay.”

      “I’m calling you.” I demonstrated. “Hello, is this Jack?”

      “Yes.”

      “Jack, I’d like to see you for a date. I’d like to go to the movies and then dinner.”

      “Okay.”

      We were both trying hard not to laugh. “And if things work out, I’d like to spend some time with you after the date.”

      “Okay!” Jack gave me a thumbs-up. “Awesome.”

      “Don’t say awesome,” I said.

      “Why not?”

      “Well…it doesn’t sound professional.”

      “Right. Okay. Um…very well, miss, I think I can accommodate you.”

      We laughed again. “That’s better. Okay. So, how should I compensate you for your company?”

      “Gee, Grace,” said Jack. “Nobody’s ever said it that way before.”

      “Just go with it.”

      “Okay. Um…two hundred dollars.”

      “And what about the additional time?”

      Jack scuffed the carpet with his foot. “All the other times it was more up front. You know. Meet them somewhere and screw. That was it.”

      “Huh.” I looked him over. “So you don’t ask for more?”

      “Nope.” The smile. “I just consider it a bonus.”

      Now I really started laughing, hard. “Jack!”

      “What?” He shrugged. “What can I say? I’m twenty-four, I like girls.”

      I was all at once very fond of Jack. “It shows.”

      He laughed, too, and ran a hand through his hair again. “You want to know something?”

      “Sure.”

      “I thought this would be easier.”

      I chuckled. “I’m sure you did.”

      He looked at me. “I’m not a total loser, Grace. I do know how to take a woman out on a date.”

      “I’m sure you do. You’re very cute.”

      He made a little face. “It’s just that this is different. I want to do a good job, you know?”

      I nodded. “I know you do. And, Jack…you’re not doing a bad job. Really.”

      Thumbs-up. “Awesome.”

      I kissed his shoulder again, then patted it. I pulled the envelope from my pocket and handed it to him. “This is for you. Don’t look at it now. That’s tacky.”

      He gave me a scornful look. “I know that.”

      “And next time, negotiate ahead of time,” I told him as I headed for the door. “Get the money for additional time in advance. Excuse yourself to go to the bathroom to count it so you’re not getting scammed.”

      He turned the envelope over and over in his hands. “Won’t they think it’s rude?”

      “The ones who do this a lot will expect it. The ones who are new won’t know any different. Watch out for yourself, Jack. Even women can be pricks.”

      He nodded. “Sure. Okay. Next time.”

      His voice stopped me at the door. “Grace?”

      I turned. “Hmm?”

      “Will there be a next time?”

      I gave him a thumbs-up. Jack smiled.

      Awesome.

       Chapter 05

      The call came as soon as I got home, patched through to my cell from the answering service. I returned the message at once.

      “Hi. Miss Frawley. It’s my dad. He’s gone.” I heard Dan Stewart swallow hard as if against tears. “I’m sorry to call after hours, but the message said to call at any time, and we need to make arrangements.”

      I never fail to be touched and amazed at the courtesy of those who have just lost someone they love. It’s easy to be rude when you’re being slain by grief. Dan Stewart wasn’t rude. In fact, he was bending over himself to be polite.

      “It’s not a problem at all. It’s what I’m here for. Where did your father pass away?”

      “At the hospital. My mom was with him. I wasn’t here, I was at home.”

      I recognized the tone of shock. The need to explain. It’s my job to be smart for those whom grief has made temporarily stupid. I helped him through the order of things and made arrangements to meet the family first thing in the morning.

      Since I was already home, I called Jared to have him pick up the body from the hospital while I stayed to let in the chevra kadisha. They’d be responsible for preparing the deceased for burial according to Jewish law, and their tasks included washing, praying over and dressing the body. At least one would stay to watch over the body, another Jewish custom.

      An hour later Jared had come and gone and Syd Kadushin was knocking at the back door. He shook my hand and offered me a peppermint the way he always did, but when I let him into the dark hall, he was all business. He went right away to the

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