“We won’t do anything. No kissing, no touching, nothing, just talking. That will be all, and, of course, a pretty dress.” He steps closer and why is that excited sparkle in his eyes bringing down my defences already? I can’t do this. I shouldn’t be doing this. But I also can’t afford to pay for the repairs myself...
“Liam...” Even Max doesn’t seem convinced.
“There’s no rule against it, and last time I got stupid drunk and you slept through most of the party.” He gives Max a pointed look and when I glance up, Max gives me an awkward smile.
What? How did he manage that?
“I fall asleep easily.” He loosens his arms around me and I kind of don’t want him to let me go just yet. “I still don’t know if it’s a good idea. But it’s up to you.”
“I...” I shake my head. “I can’t. I’m sorry. I’ll... I’ll pay you back for the repairs. Just... I...” My tears start all over again.
I’m so tired of the money problems, and this isn’t even going to fix them. Even if they give me these repairs for free, I still won’t be able to pay for everything this winter. It’s not like it’s going to make much of a difference. Why not give up now and just...
“How much do you get paid for the princess stuff?” Max’ voice is quiet. “We’ll double it. Since I’m pretty sure that your boss or agency is getting that much for the parties. I’d be surprised if they gave you even a third of what the people have to pay for it.”
“So, we triple it, to keep things fair.” Liam nods, looking more serious now. “We’ll hire you. No freebies. You get to play a grownup princess for a couple of hours. I’m saying ‘grownup’ not ‘adult’.” He gives me a quick smile. “You get to be a real princess and for once you won’t have to keep twenty kids in line while you do it. You get to do the other side of being a princess, the eating of pretty foods and drinking of bubbly drinks, or water, if you prefer that.”
Fuck. I shouldn’t take the offer. I really shouldn’t. But if it means that I won’t be in debt to them... It might be worth it.
Max is smiling softly and my stomach’s all fluttery. “Any money you’d earn on top of the cost of the repairs, we’ll pay you. And if we leave the party early for any stupid reason from our side, we’ll still ‘pay’ you enough to cover the repairs. Since that wouldn’t be your fault, and that shouldn’t be taken out on you.”
Fuck. What is it with sexy guys looking at me like that lately? I’m not used to it and I don’t want to get used to it.
“What do you say?” Liam reaches out and I carefully take his hand. “It’ll barely be any different from being a princess at the kids’ parties, just that the entertainment is more grownup, fewer bright pink and bright blue balloons all around, and conversation instead of silly games.”
I put away my pride, locking it up deep and strong. This is the best chance I’m going to get. I’m not selling myself for sex or perviness or whatever. I’m just going to be their companion to a party. I’ll make sure to take my meds and use lots of ‘human’ scents so that they won’t notice. I’ll be safe. I’ve been safe for years, I can manage a simple evening. It’ll work out.
It has to. Because if anything goes wrong, everything falls apart. But from where I am right now... It’s falling apart already. So what’s the difference, really?
“I’ll do it.” I push the words out, fear making it hard to speak. Fear of things going really really wrong at the party.
“Cool.” Liam shakes my hand and grins. “Looking forward to it.”
I glance at Max, who’s smiling, even though he still doesn’t look fully convinced, but in a flash, he takes that away and his smile grows. “I’m looking forward to it already. This year it might actually be fun.”
Fun for some, but I’m not so sure that I’ll be the one having any of the fun. What did I just agree to? Crap.
“I...” Fuck.
“We’ll take care of the dress, and the shoes.” Max touches my shoulder softly. “I promise we’ll send pictures of them to you so that you can veto any that you don’t like.”
“Nothing too revealing, please.” I’m already feeling like I’m selling myself, and that’s a crappy enough feeling.
“Noted, nothing too revealing. Are you good in heels?” Liam looks down at my legs, catching sight of the low heels I’m wearing. They look nicer than the sturdy shoes I’d prefer to wear, but sometimes you have to look the part. “I’ll make sure they’re not too high.”
“Thanks.” I nod.
“Anything else?” Liam looks at Max, who shrugs.
“I think that’s it.” Max nods. “We’ll pick you up on Saturday evening at eight.”
“I can’t get dressed in two minutes. I’ll need the dress sooner than that. Gotta do hair and makeup and everything.” I almost laugh at the idea of trying to get ready for a fancy party in two minutes, even dressing up as a princess for the kids takes longer than that.
“Right.” Max shrugs. “I can drop the dress off, Friday evening?”
Friday evening... I don’t have anything then, and the cafe doesn’t close too late. But it does mean that the dress will be in my house, able to pick up my scent, for a whole day... But I don’t see another way of doing this. “Sure. Friday evening is fine.”
“Are you sure?” Max eyes me, he’s getting all hesitant now. “I can drop it by sooner or later, if you want me to.”
I quickly shake my head. “It’s fine.”
Then I carefully take a step back, my heart a little lighter, but
