Hooker by J. L. Perry Page A

with thoughts of Jade, and I hate myself for that. Part of me wants to forget I ever met her, the other part of me knows that’s never going to happen.
    What I had with her was special. It was like nothing I’d known with any other woman. I honestly thought she felt that too. Maybe it was just wishful thinking on my part.
    ‘Mr Weston,’ Amy says through the intercom. ‘Theo James, your 3 pm, is here.’
    ‘Thanks, Amy. Send him in.’
    Amy knocks once and pauses briefly before opening the door. I’m not sure why she does that. Maybe it’s because she caught me buried balls deep inside Renee, my father’s secretary, last year. I had her bent over my desk as I gave it to her from behind. It was awkward all around, I guess, but it didn’t stop me from finishing what I started. It took Amy a good week or two to make eye contact with me again. I chuckle to myself as I stand. I’m lucky she’s a good sport because she’s a great secretary. I’d be lost without her.
    ‘Mr Weston,’ Theo says when he approaches my desk.
    ‘MrJames.’ I extend my hand to him. ‘Call me Brock.’
    ‘Theo.’
    ‘Take a seat,’ I say.
    ‘Thank you.’
    ‘So, I believe you’re a friend of my brother’s.’
    ‘I am,’ he says. ‘I frequent his bar.’
    ‘Good,’ I reply, leaning back in my chair. ‘I believe you’re in need of some security for your development sites.’
    ‘Yes. The current company I’m using seems to be falling short. I have a range of expensive equipment and building supplies that remain onsite when the builders knock off. In the past few months the incidence of theft has risen dramatically.’
    ‘Well, that’s something we can definitely help you with.’ The majority of our dealings are corporate based, but we can easily accommodate Theo’s request.
    We spend the next hour or so going over the layout of his sites, including all the finer details. When he’s satisfied with my suggestions, the meeting comes to an end.
    ‘I look forward to working with you, Theo,’ I say when he stands. ‘I’ll have Amy draw up an appraisal, and then we can discuss this further. If you have any questions in the meantime, just call.’
    ‘I appreciate you agreeing to take this on.’
    ‘Any friend of Joshua’s is a friend of mine.’
    He smiles. ‘Listen. I’m having a party at my home next weekend. I’d love it if you could come. Some of my investors will be attending, as well as my board members. I think it will ease their minds if I can introduce you to them, and explain what your company has planned. These thefts are proving to be quite costly. Everyone’s a little on edge.’
    ‘That’sunderstandable. Give all the details to Amy on your way out. She can pencil it into the diary.’
    ‘Thank you. I will.’
    After making a few notes, I page Amy into my office. ‘Could you type up a proposal for Mr James, please?’
    ‘Of course,’ she says, taking the folder out of my hands.
    ‘I have that charity function tonight, so I’m going to head home early. Can you organise for my driver to meet me downstairs in thirty minutes?’
    *
    ‘I’ll have a scotch on the rocks,’ I tell the waitress when I take a seat at the bar. This is the first time I’m flying solo at one of these events. I didn’t have it in me to bring a date. There’s been no one since Jade.
    I’ve tried to forget her, but I haven’t been successful. I know in my line of business I could easily track her down, but I decided against it; I need to keep what little dignity I have left. She knows my name and I told her where I worked. If she wanted to find me she could, but it’s fucking obvious she doesn’t. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hurt by that.
    I’m pathetic
.
    Fuck her. This shit stops today. Brock Weston doesn’t pine over women, and he sure as hell doesn’t chase after a piece of arse either.
    Keep telling yourself that, buddy
.
    ‘So, you decided to leave your whores at home tonight.’ I don’t even need to