offer you platitudes or sit with you while you process this very out-of-the-box situation.” Her face hardened. “She won’t be there for you the morning after your first time with a client.”
“But you will be?” I pressed.
“Yes. I have a master’s in psychology with an emphasis on post-traumatic stress counseling. That’s my real job here; the rest of what I do just fills the gaps between the time I spend with the girls.”
A laugh escaped my lips. “You’re a counselor to courtesans?”
Annika’s stare was penetrating and finally she said, “Speed dial two, Sterling.”
“My name is Eden,” I corrected.
Her stare was intractable. “Speed dial two,” she repeated softly. “I’m here for you when you need me. I hope you remember that.”
With that final pronouncement, Annika closed the door, leaving me alone in a very beautiful suite with nothing but my riotous thoughts.
I set the binder down on the coffee table and reached for my new cell phone. I unlocked it and scrolled through the numbers. Genevieve, Annika, Security, and the front desk were on speed dial. I added Tiffany to the speed dial list.
I set the phone aside and then went into the bedroom. A heavy wooden bed rested in the center of the room. A matching dresser sat across from it. I opened the top drawer and the scent of lavender wafted to my nose, tickling my senses.
Lingerie and undergarments in my size were neatly folded. I pulled out a bra and panties set.
Lace. Delicate. White.
I put the garments back in the drawer and shoved it closed.
The middle drawer had pajamas. A pink satin set with a button down top and bottoms. They were classy and stylish, and not at all what I expected.
I took out the pajamas and set them on the bed. A knock on the door startled me and I went to answer it.
“Hey girl,” Tiffany said from the doorway of my suite. “Just wanted to check in on you.”
I waved her inside. “That was thoughtful. Come on in.”
She wore a pair of black yoga pants and a faded T-shirt that hung off her shoulder and revealed a red bra strap. Her blonde hair was piled on top of her head in a messy bun and her face was free of heavy makeup.
She crossed the threshold and took a seat on the couch. Tiffany ran a finger across the leather binder.
“It’s not completely altruistic of me to visit,” she said. “Genevieve told me to give you a run down. Basic rules, that sort of thing. She also asked me to help you learn the names and faces of the girls.”
I let out an exhale. “I thought I wanted to be alone. You know, to process everything in silence, but I think it’s better that you’re here.”
“Have you eaten?”
“Annika said dinner will be sent up at seven,” I said, moving toward the bedroom. “I’m not that hungry right now, but I could use a drink.”
“Ah, one of the rules I have to tell you about. We’re not allowed to drink the night before an event. We need to get a good night’s rest, and alcohol…well, we all know what that can do.”
“I don’t even know how I’m supposed to sleep tonight.” I left the door of the bedroom cracked so I could hear Tiffany speak while I changed.
“There’s a light sedative in a medicine bottle by the sink. The same one I gave you the night before your interview. You should take it in a few hours. It’ll conk you out, let you rest, but you won’t feel hungover in the morning.”
I quickly kicked off my shoes and then slid out of my jeans. The satin pajamas were cool against my skin, and I breathed in the soothing scent of lavender as I adjusted the shirt collar.
When I came back into the living room, I saw that Tiffany had flipped open the binder and she was looking at the first page. She glanced up when I joined her.
“What do you want to do first? Memorize? Or get the run down?”
“Let me look at the photos first. Let them sink in. Then we can talk. I’ll review the photos later again tonight before bed.”
“It won’t be difficult to learn them all.”
“Will they all be there at the party tomorrow night?”
“Yes.”
“Is that standard? Every girl works every event?”
Tiffany shook her head indicating it wasn’t. She picked up the binder and handed it to me. I took it and sat down in the chair, tucking my feet underneath me.