“Why do you ask?” Giselle asks in a different tone. “You’re not getting a thing for this guy, are—”
“No! Of course not. I was just thinking about you and Steve and was curious.”
She believes me, so we’re able to let the topic die. We chat for a few more minutes before I hang up.
My sister has replied to my message, so I chat with her over text for several minutes as I wait. The time passes quickly, and I’m surprised when I glance up and see Hugh walking into the coffee shop and holding the door for a slim, pretty teenage girl.
She’s wearing a school uniform of a plaid skirt, white blouse, and blue jacket. She’s got brown hair the same shade as her father’s, but her face is a lot more delicate and finely chiseled. She’s not smiling. When she gets closer, I see her eyes are the same hazel as Hugh’s.
I stand up and smile. I briefly consider initiating a handshake, but she slips into a chair before I can decide, so I sit back down too. “You must be Candice,” I say in my warmest voice. “I’m Danielle Blankenship. You can call me Dani.”
She nods and says, “Hi.” She looks down and pulls something up on her phone.
Hugh sits down beside his daughter, giving her a close look that she must sense because she reluctantly puts the phone down. “I wanted you and Danielle to meet each other so we can see if she would be a good fit for our trip.”
Candice’s big eyes shoot over to me quickly before they return to her dad. “Yeah.”
This conversation is going to be like pulling teeth unless I can break the ice a little. I’m not normally one to take charge in a conversation, but sometimes it has to be done. “I know it will be a little weird since I’m a stranger to you. If it works out, I hope we can get along okay, but I’m not going to try to be your best friend or anything. I’d just help out as much as I can and go with you places on your trip.”
She looks at me again. Nods. “Yeah.”
Hugh’s expression is faintly impatient—which I’d imagine is typical for the parent of a teenager—but not annoyed or surprised. “Candice is into art and history, so she’s been talking about visiting a lot of museums and going to historical sites and the like.”
“That sounds great to me.” I’m smiling as naturally as I can, trying to look friendly but not fake. “I’d enjoy all of that.”
“Okay.” So far, I haven’t heard anything more than one-word answers from the girl, but that could be for any number of reasons. She might be shy. Or awkward with a stranger joining her and her dad on the trip. I’m not going to take it personally.
At least she’s not mean or confrontational. She certainly doesn’t seem to be particularly wild if she wants to spend her summer going to museums and historical attractions instead of shopping and partying.
“Since you like art, do you paint or sculpt or do anything like that?” I ask after searching my mind for an appropriate question that might lead to more than one word in response.
“I paint,” she says, once more darting me a quick look.
“Oh, that’s great. Maybe you’ll get a lot of new inspiration on your trip.”
Hugh’s eyes are still on his daughter, but he nods at my response, as if I’ve said something good, maybe something they’ve talked about before.
Candice nods too, grabbing her phone like it’s her support. “Yeah.”
Despite her return to one-word answers, I’m actually encouraged. Because Candice obviously is going to take time and effort to get to know, but she doesn’t appear very difficult to manage.
I don’t care if she likes me or even if I like her. I simply need to be able to do this job.
We talk for ten more minutes in the same guided, stilted way about what she likes and her expectations for the trip. Neither our discussion nor her behavior worries me at all.
She hasn’t warmed up to me by the end of the conversation, but I’m getting excited anyway.
I think this job is something I can do. It might actually work. And it won’t even be too difficult or painful.
When it’s clear we’re wrapping up, Candice excuses herself to go to the restroom. As soon as she’s left the table, Hugh asks, “So what do you think?”
I blink. “Oh. I… I, uh, it’s going to take a little while for her to get to know me and feel more comfortable with me, but she seems like a nice, smart girl.”
“She is. She’s kind of shy, but she’s never gotten into any trouble, so I don’t think you’ll have a hard time with her.”
I straighten my shoulders. It sounds like he’s made his decision.
“So,” he goes on, “do you think you’d be interested?”
“Yes. Of course. I’d be happy to.” I manage not express surprise, but he sounds like I’m the decision-maker here rather than him. “If you think I’d be a good fit.”
“I think so. I’d like to go with you, if you’re okay with it.”
“I am. I’d be very happy to.” I’m starting to repeat myself, but I have no idea what else to say. Excitement is fluttering wildly in my chest.
“Good.” He nods. “Good. Excellent.” He pushes his chair back.
Since that’s clearly a sign that he’s ready to leave, I collect my purse and stand up. “I believe once you tell Aurora your decision, we’ll all meet in the Companions for Hire offices to go over the details of the job and finalize the contract.”
“Yes. That’s what she told me. I’ll call her right now so we can get everything squared away.”
“Okay. Good.” I feel like I’m blushing, so I glance away and take a deep breath.
“Good. Very good.”
My cheeks even warmer, I decide it’s time to get out of this situation. I have no idea why I’m so self-conscious, but it’s a strange situation, so maybe that’s reason enough. “Okay. It was very nice to meet you.”
“You too.” He extends a hand, so I reach out to meet it.
I feel a tingle of excitement at the touch. His hand is big and strong and warm, and I like touching it far too much.
I pull my hand back as quickly as I can. When I turn toward the restrooms, Candice is on her way back. She’s watching me, and I’d swear there’s suspicion in her gaze.
Great. Perfect. She’s somehow decided I’m after her dad. If anything is going to make her resent me, it will be that.
It’s not going to happen. This job is the best thing to happen to me in the past year, and I’m not going to blow it all by getting an irrational thing for Hugh.
He’s an attractive man, but that doesn’t matter. He’s not where my focus needs to be right now.
Do this job. Be a good companion to Candice. Make a lot of money.
Those are the only things that can matter to me right now.
2
Three and a half weeks later, I’m walking into an upscale apartment in Rome.
It looks and feels like a corporate apartment, and according to Hugh, that’s what it is. He’s an executive at an international tire company, and the apartment belongs to the Italian branch of his company.