Everyone Likes a Jerk

Chapter 2

I know what you're all thinking. Tara, it's only Wednesday! Early update? Well, yes it is! Now, I was very disappointed in the response to the last chapter, or lack thereof, but I guess i'll deal. So, me being the nice person that I am, I uploaded chapter 2 a day early and I hope y'all like it. It's a little dry, but it's kind of a bridge chapter, so bear with me, okay? I promise it's not going to be like this for the rest of the book. I'm just building the connections. Anyways, here ya go! Enjoy, vote, comment, and fan!

Chapter 2

                At 3:30 on the dot, there was a heavy knock on the door and looking through the glass front, I saw the form of the woman I hadn’t seen in three years and hadn’t expected to see for many more years to come, if ever. I took a deep breath as I gripped the doorknob and finally swung the door open to see the face that last I had seen it, had been teary and hurt. She used to be a happy-go-lucky young woman, but now she looked fierce and world-wary. It was quite the change, but I had to say, she was still damn hot.

                “Put your tongue back in your mouth,” she smirked. I clamped my jaw shut in embarrassment.

                “Hello, Elise,” I greeted. She regarded me coolly with pursed lips and then pushed past me and into my house. A little feisty, I kind of liked it.

                “Nice place,” she commented, not sounding overly impressed, but ever the lady.

                “Thanks,” I responded awkwardly. “Uh, here, we’ll sit at the table. Do you want some water, coffee, tea…?”

                “No, thanks.” I nodded and we both sat at the table stiffly, me across from her and her legs crossed primly. I remembered a time when she had been comfortable around me. This was her professional look, the one she saved for her clients. I knew it all too well.

                “What did you call me here for, Parker?” she inquired.

                “I thought Elena had already explained it to you on the phone?”

                “Oh, she did, I just wanted to see you a little flustered. But whatever. Basically, my answer is yes, but I want some compensation. How much money are we talking here?” she demanded forcefully. Whoa. That was not what the Elise I had known would have done. That Elise had been sweet and funny and happy. This Elise was kind of…aggressive.

                “Er, it’s $1200 per ‘date’ if you will, and I pay for all your expenses during the time of the contract. You’d also be living with me here, and I’d be buying you an entirely new designer wardrobe, et cetera,” I explained, listing the benefits to the job.

                “LIVE HERE WITH YOU?!” Elise exclaimed. I nodded slowly, beginning to think that this chick was nuts and I had gotten out just in time.

                “Yes…It’s easier to access you that way,” I uttered.

                “Look, Parker, I realize you think you’re hot shit and all but I have a huge dog and a life in my own house, and I don’t think we’d really fit in here,” she said, motioning to the huge house we sat in somewhat distastefully.

                “What are you talking about? There’s plenty of space, I have a huge yard, and you’d have your own room. It’s not like we’d be dating in the house, just…living together, I guess. You could consider us roommates.”

                “No offense, but I’d rather room with a komodo dragon on its period,” she muttered angrily. I quirked my lips in amusement and my eyebrow raised of its own accord. Elise had always had the weirdest expressions.