Free Dark Escort by E. L. Todd Page B

with me.”
    “Thank you for dinner,” she said politely. “And the milkshake I shouldn’t have finished.”
    “Hey, you can afford a few extra calories,” I said with a smile.
    She smiled slightly but didn’t respond.
    “I’m really glad we went out. And I’m glad you and I are friends.”
    “Me too,” she said. “Listening to you insult me left and right got old…” There was a teasing note in her voice.
    “Yeah…sorry about that.”
    “I really wish I knew what your problem was.” She looked to me for an answer, silently hoping I would finally tell her.
    It was best to leave the past where it belonged. She was opening up to me and I didn’t want to make it awkward. Hopefully, she would realize it on her own. If not, maybe I could have a second chance anyway. Now that she relaxed around me, it reminded me why I liked her so much to begin with, and not just because she was beautiful. “You remind me of someone I used to know.” That was all I said.
    “Well, I’m glad your unfair prejudice is over.”
    “Yeah.” I moved in and hugged her without permission.
    She stiffened at the touch, clearly not expecting it, and then she returned the embrace.
    She felt exactly the same as before. She fit into my body perfectly, and her face barely reached my shoulders. The smell of vanilla came into my nose and her soft hair brushed my shoulder. I’d give anything to touch it, to fist it once more.
    The hug lasted longer than I expected and I didn’t want it to end.
    She eventually pulled away. “Good night, Cato.”
    “Good night, K.”
    She turned to me. “K?”
    That was what she left in the note on my nightstand. I used it now without thinking. “It just slipped out.”
    She didn’t question it. “I’ll see you later.”
    “Okay.” I watched her close the door.
    Once she was gone from my sight, hope burned through me. That playful and fun relationship was back. Maybe we could recapture that night. But this time, I would see her the following morning.

Katarina
    My parents invited me for dinner, and of course, they wanted me to take Cato along. They were still shocked I was seeing him and they weren’t sure what to make of it. They wanted me to be happy, but at the same time, they wanted me to be with the man they preferred. It would unify our families and only make us stronger.
    Being married to Joey wouldn’t be terrible. We were great friends and we respected each other. He was extremely handsome, so a physical relationship would probably be satisfying.
    But I didn’t love him.
    When Cato told me he would pose as a husband, that really caught my attention. It would be perfect. I would never have to worry about hurting him because he was only doing it for a paycheck. He would come along and see my family at my beck and call. And everyone would get off my back and stop telling me to move on.
    It was perfect.
    And Cato wasn’t as much of a jackass as I thought. After he apologized and we started to get along, I realized he was someone I genuinely enjoyed being around. He was friendly and charismatic, and of course, he was easy on the eyes. I’d take him on my sheets if there weren’t so many complications with it. Meaningless and detached sex was the only type of flings I had.
    No love was ever involved. Ever.
    It was all I could give.
    When I came home from work, I called Cato. “Hey.”
    “Hey, Milkshake.”
    I cocked an eyebrow. “Sorry?”
    “Milkshake. That’s your nickname.”
    “Do I get any say in this?”
    “Nope. So, what can I do for you?”
    “I need your services.”
    “Superman to the rescue,” he said dramatically. “What do you need?”
    “Dinner with my family tomorrow night.”
    “I can do that,” he said. “Just tell me what you want me to wear.”
    “I get to decide?” I asked incredulously.
    “Yep.”
    “Wow…money well spent.”
    He chuckled. “I’d let you dress me up even if you weren’t paying me—or undress me.”
    I smirked even though I wished