“Oh, didn’t you know?” Helen smiled sweetly, though her eyes looked vindictive. “Elizabeth is an actress that works for Candy Grams, a company where you can hire people to do whatever you want them to do. She was hired by me two weeks ago for this position to fool you into thinking she liked you, just so she could embarrass you at this party. Everything she has been saying and doing is an act.”

“Elizabeth?” He looked at me, his eyes shocked. “Is this true?”

“Yeah, she even asked for more money.” Helen said and laughed before I could speak. “She negotiated for more money after she saw your photo.”

“You got this assignment two weeks ago?” He frowned. “Before we met at the bar?”

“I can explain,” I said weakly.

“And you’d seen my photo already?” He frowned. “So at the bar, you knew who I was?”

“Kinda…I, I didn’t know if…” My voice trailed off. I didn’t know what to say. I’d well and truly fucked myself.

“So it was all an act.” He jumped up. “Your rage, your hurt, your story about your dad. All of it was an act.”

“No, of course not.” I jumped up and grabbed his arm. “Please, Scott. Let’s talk about this.”

“You truly fucked me in every way possible.” His head fell back and he laughed bitterly. “And you tried to make me feel bad.”

“It’s not like that. I slept with you because I like you. And I was going to tell you the truth. I really was.”

“You’re no better than a prostitute,” he said, looking disgusted.

“I’d say an escort.” Helen said as she looked at me with a superior look. “She’s basically an escort.”

“I’m not a prostitute or an escort. I slept with you because I liked you. I like you, Scott.”

“So why didn’t you tell me what was going on, if you like me?”

“Because I saw you and Helen in the office and I got confused. I thought she was your girlfriend and you were cheating on her with me and lying to us both.”

“So essentially you were lying to me, yet you didn’t trust me?” He looked at me with narrowed eyes and a tight voice.

I nodded and took a deep breath. My chest felt tight and I could feel that tears were about to fall. “You have to understand, Scott. I wanted to trust you. I just had a hard time. I came to your office to tell you and I saw you talking with her. I saw you telling her that all that matters in that moment was what was going on then, just like you told me.”

“What?” He frowned.

“You said that same sentence to me and her. ‘All that matters in this moment is what’s going on right now.’” I cried out. “I thought it was your thing, what you say to all your girls.”

“It’s a bloody saying, Elizabeth.” He looked angry. “It was obviously applicable in both situations. Don’t worry about what’s going on in my life if everything is functioning fine for us. When I said that to you, I meant you were the only girl for me, there were no exes of importance, and when I said it to Helen, I meant that I’m doing my job quite well, so she should just focus on that.”

“I didn’t know that.” I said. “If I’d known I would have come to you still. Please, Scott, I messed up. Can we at least talk about this?”

“Save it.” He shook his head. “I’m done. I can’t deal with this. I can’t believe you would do this to me. All you’ve done is judge me and not trust me. And you’re the one that’s been lying this entire time.”

“Scott.” I reached out to touch his arm and he shook me off.

“Don’t,” he said. He stared at me for a few seconds and his eyes looked pained as he gazed at me. “I thought we had something special. I thought that from the very first time I met you. I knew there was a fragility to you. I knew you’d experienced hurt. But you still had spunk. You were shy and naïve at the same time as being bold and kinky. I never knew what to expect. I loved that. I thought, here’s a girl that will constantly surprise me. I thought, here’s someone that could be really special in my life. Shit, I thought you could be the one. But you fooled me. You got me. I guess you really are a good actress. Look out Hollywood, here comes Elizabeth Jeffries! I’ll look for you at the Oscars next year. I’m sure you’ll pick up the award for Best Actress.”

“Scott.” I bit my lower lip. “Please let me explain.”

“There’s nothing you have to say that I want to hear.” He shook his head. “I’m done. I don’t need more drama in my life. I have more important things to deal with right now. Like keeping my job.”

“I’m sorry,” I said and grabbed my bag. I walked out of the room slowly, feeling embarrassed and heartbroken. How had it all gone so wrong so quickly? How had I fucked it up again? I walked back to my car and let my tears flow. It was over and I’d ruined everything. And all for what? Two hundred dollars?

PART 2

The Second Time I Worked For a Taylor Brother

A Month Later

Chapter Thirteen

“Bob called. He said he wants you to call him as soon as possible.” Lacey looked up at me as I walked into the living room. “How was your shower?”

“Hot.” I smiled at her and then groaned. “Ugh, I don’t want to talk to Bob.”