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later…”
    He stared at my empty plate.
    The waiter brought the tab and Nathan immediately slipped his card inside, like he was in a hurry. Then he returned to sipping his wine.
    I didn’t understand Nathan sometimes. One moment he acted like I meant nothing to him. But then it seemed like he really wanted to keep a good relationship with me. And then he was distant all over again. I really wish I could just stop caring. Or I really wish I could be the girl he was obsessed with. I wanted to be the woman who changed him, who forced him to wear his heart on his sleeve. I knew both of those scenarios would never happen, unfortunately.
    “Ready to go?” he asked when the waiter returned with his card.
    “Sure.”
    We left the restaurant and his driver drove us to my apartment. When Nathan got out to walk me to the door, I felt a slight sense of thrill that he was being a gentleman for me. I knew I shouldn’t be excited about it. The gesture wasn’t that grand. But it was better than him just dropping me off and hitting the gas.
    He walked me to my door with his hands in his pockets. “Thank you for having dinner with me. I hope this makes you…not hate me as much.”
    “I could never hate you.” I wished I could sometimes.
    “Because I do care about you. I’m sorry I didn’t make that clear.”
    I liked hearing those words. He cared about me. “It’s okay.”
    “Good night, Meadow,” he said. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    Disappointment, for the zillionth time, filled me. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting. I guess at least a hug. He never embraced me or touched me. The only affection we shared was a handshake when he initially hired me. I felt like a sister to him, someone he liked but kept at a distance. “Good night, Nathan.” I watched him go, knowing he carried my heart deep in his pocket—along with lint, loose change, and probably a paperclip.
    ***
    I sucked it up and headed to Beautiful Entourage. It was clear Nathan had no clue I existed. I wasn’t sure why because I considered myself to be his type. I was pretty, thin, and I had nice legs. What was wrong with me? Why did he view me like I was another guy?
    I met with Danielle, the secretary of the business.
    “What exactly do you need him for?”
    I still couldn’t believe I was there. “Well, it’s a long story…”
    “I’m here until five anyway.” She patiently waited for me to speak.
    “I have a thing for my boss.” That was an understatement. “And he doesn’t even know I’m alive. I guess I just want him to notice me.”
    “And you think having a gorgeous boyfriend would do that?”’
    I shrugged. “It might. Maybe if he sees someone else want me, he’ll want me.”
    She nodded then turned to her computer. “Have any preference?”
    “Preference for what?” I asked.
    “For your escort.”
    “Uh…no.”
    She typed on her computer.
    I listened to the sound of her moving fingers as they tapped against the keyboard. Her hands were moving fast and it seemed like she was writing a novel. I felt more insecure as the minutes passed. “Do people do this often…?”
    “Do what?”
    “You know…come in here.”
    She caught my unease. “A lot of girls do. Why do you think I have a full-time job? And they are all nervous in the beginning. It’s a little weird, I admit. But I’ve had clients come in here for the exact same reason as you.”
    “Because they are trying to get a man to notice them?”
    “Yep.”
    At least I wasn’t alone.
    “You’ll meet River tomorrow at noon,” she said. “Any questions?”
    River? I’ve heard that name before. But where? I searched my memory until I remembered the man from the charity event. He was extremely good-looking and sweet. I wondered if he was one and the same. “Do you have a picture of him?”
    “I sure do.” She turned the screen to face me.
    I stared at his face, recognizing him immediately. “I’ll be there.”

River
    When I looked at the name in the folder, my