LISA
"Hey babe, guess what? You have a brand-new client tomorrow." Jihyo is ringing just as I'm driving home from my last job of the day.
"Oh... It's been a while since I've had a first," I say. "But I suppose the summer season is starting." Approaching a traffic light, I slow down and groan at the line of cars in front of me. The roads are getting busier by the day and soon it will take me double the time to get anywhere. "Where am I going? Hotel? Home?"
"Southampton, private home. Jennie Kim. I ran a check, she's all clean." Jihyo sighs when I don't reply. "What's the matter? Not feeling it? I can email her and cancel."
Opening the window, I suck in fresh air. Even after our forward exchange this morning I didn't expect Jennie to book me so soon—if not at all—and it comes as both a pleasant surprise and a terrifying shock to my system. Jennie Kim. The car in front of me is coming to a halt again. So many traffic lights. "No, don't cancel her," I finally say in a strangled voice. It's like I'm back in my old life in New York, looking forward to a night with a woman I'm seriously into, and I forgot what it felt like. The butterflies, the anticipation, only this time it's much, much stronger and I feel nervous as hell.
"Okay. What's up? Do you know her?"
"Yeah." The tightness in my core is killing me and I squeeze my thighs together as I drive down the main road at a snail's pace. "Remember that woman I told you about? The one whose pool I service?"
Jihyo gasps. "Don't tell me it's her. Is it her?"
"Yeah. It's Jennie. I can't believe she's booked me."
"Did you tell her about Hamptons' Escorts?"
"No, it was just a crazy coincidence. She saw me on the website and recognized me." I pause. "Ji, this has never happened to me before. Being booked by someone who knows who I am."
"Well, you did say you had the hots for her," Jihyo says.
"Yes, I'm insanely attracted to her." I clear my throat and try to sound less on edge than I am right now, because sleeping with Jennie Kim is pressure personified. "So, eight-thirty? Any requests?"
"No, nothing in the notes."
"I'm not surprised. I don't think she knows what she wants, and she may not even go ahead with it. As far as I'm aware, she's never been with a woman." I bet I'm just as on edge as Jennie is right now, but Jihyo doesn't need to know that. "Don't be surprised if she cancels."
"Well, you know the deal. No refunds ten hours before booking."
"I know, but I doubt the money would be an issue to her."
"Hmm… You like her, she likes you. Go figure." Jihyo chuckles. "She'd make a perfect sugar mama."
"Hey, that's not funny, you know I'm not like that." Blowing out my cheeks, I release a deep sigh. "Sorry, I didn't mean to snap. I'm just worried that… What if she's not into me?"
"You mean what if she's not into lesbian sex? Are you kidding me? You never say stuff like that." Jihyo is laughing out loud now. "Where did my ultra-confident friend Lisa go? You used to brag you could convert any woman to your team."
"Yeah, well, I'm a different person now," I say. "Besides, I haven't slept with someone I've actually been into for years. It's a little daunting."
"You'll be fine, it's like riding a bike" she assures me, still in an amused tone. "And if Jennie decides that she's not into women after all, then that won't be on you. It will simply confirm her preference of gender. And then that will put an end to it."
"Right." I drape my arm over the edge of the window and take a deep breath. This morning when I was face to face with Jennie and longing to kiss her, everything seemed so simple. It was like my one-track mind from three years ago, from before Lily, had taken over and I'd lost all ability to think straight and weight out the consequences of my actions. What was I thinking? That it would be a good idea for her to hire me for sex just because I wanted her? That after that, everything would go back to normal and that I'd show up to service her pool and we'd have a coffee together as if nothing had happened? "I just haven't thought this through. If I'm being honest, I did encourage her, and I shouldn't have done that."
"Don't worry," Jihyo says, once more trying to put me at ease. "You're making too big of a deal out of this. It's a transaction for a service and Jennie's no different from your previous clients other than that you find her smoking hot. And I don't see how that can be a bad thing." When I don't reply, she says: "Lisa? Are you there?"
A car horn beeps behind me and I realize I'm standing still in front of a green light. "Yes, I'm here." I clear my throat and pull myself together as I move away. "You're right. I'm making a big deal out of this and it's not. I'll make sure Jennie Kim has the best time tomorrow."
"That's the spirit. Listen, I'll send a cold bottle of champagne along with your driver. Courtesy of Hamptons' Escorts for our new client. I've got another call here, so I've got to go. Good luck tomorrow, okay?"
After Jihyo hangs up, I continue my drive in a state of mild anxiety. But then I remember that I have to pay three months upfront for the storage unit I've just signed the lease for. Just a little longer. And in the months I have left, I might as well have some fun along the way.