A feeling of dread crept into my stomach as I realized what Desiree was about to suggest. “Sis, I don’t think Tori is gonn—”
“Don’t worry about it! Tori is my friend, and she’s super professional. I think if you give her a real, sincere apology — and a hefty tip— , she’ll take you on as a client. And you’ll need to prove you aren’t an asshole too, which is probably gonna be the biggest challenge.”
“Des, for real, I don’t thin—”
“Avery, relax,” Des said, offering me what was supposed to be a reassuring smile. “I can talk her into it, it won’t be a problem. I mean, it’s not like you guys slept together or anything,” she laughed. “That would be awkward!”
I reopened the bottle of bourbon, and poured myself another drink. “Yeah. Awkward.”
— Tori —
“You want me to what?” I nearly dropped my cell phone into the bucket of peas I was shelling. Even though I was drained after a week where all of my clients seemed to be hell-bent on repelling potential partners, I was keeping my commitment to my parents to join them for Sunday dinner. When I’d arrived a little over an hour ago, I had been unceremoniously handed the freshly picked peas, and told to get to work— with a smile, of course.
Laughing, I turned on the speaker function and placed the phone on the table. “I’m sorry, Des. You’re going to have to repeat that. For a second I thought you asked me to take your brother on as a Matched client.”
Desiree gave a loud sigh on the other end of the line. “That is what I said, and you know it. Stop trying to be funny, Tee.”
“I’m not trying to be funny. It is funny. What makes you think I would ever accept Avery as a client?”
“Because you love me?”
I giggled again as I pulled open another pod, sending peas flying all over the porch. “Sorry doll, love isn’t gonna be enough this time.”
“What about money? I told him your fee was double what it actually is, and he didn’t blink!”
Hmm. That was appealing, but still.
“Nope, not enough money in the world,” I said.
“Tori!”
“Des!”
“Tori, please? Avery needs this.”
“And I should care because… ”
“Because you’re a good person, and when you see someone in need, you help them out. And let’s not act like you don’t owe me.”
I rolled my eyes, knowing Des was about to cash in the ‘bad friend’ credit I had extended her after not telling her about what was going on between Rafael and I. “Owe you for what?” I asked anyway, feigning ignorance.
“Girl, please. You know why.”
Digging into the bucket for another pod, I breathed a heavy sigh of my own. “Fine, Des. I’ll meet with him, but that’s all I can guarantee. If he’s rude to me, I’m punching his ass again, and I will not work with him.
“That’s completely understandable, Tee, but I promise, nothing like that is gonna happen again.”
“It had better not. And you can tell him I want triple my normal fee, and make sure he knows he’s paying extra.”
“Not a problem.”
Hearing movement behind me, I glanced up to see that my stepmother, Lynne, was eyeing me from the door to the porch. “Hey Des, I’ve gotta go. Have Avery send me his availability, and we’ll set the meeting up.
“I will. Thank you so much Tori. He appreciates it.”
“I don’t need his appreciation, I need his participation. Make it very clear that if I take him on, he will do anything I ask, or I’m dropping him. I’m only doing this for you, and I don’t want my time wasted..”
“Well, I appreciate you. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Des.”
We exchanged goodbyes, and I reached into the bucket beside me for the last few pea pods.
“So… Who is Avery?” Lynne stepped out onto the porch to peer into the nearly full bowl of peas I’d shelled.
I shook my head as I dropped the last of the peas in with the rest. “Just a new client— Des’ brother.”