Learning the Hard Way by Bridget Midway Read Free Book Online Page A

reply came with a growl.
    “But don’t pay him for it. That’s prostitution.” Dina couldn’t leave that detective side of herself.
    “And for God’s sake. Make him wear a condom.” Vonda laughed.
    “Vonda, I can’t believe your stance on this.” Ava stretched her legs out in front of her and pressed her back against the headboard.
    “We all deserve to get a little something-something after Richard, right? He can’t be the only player out there. It would be nice to see the table turn for us for a change. So why not?”
    Ava took a deep breath. “Just don’t set me up with anyone crazy or demented.”
    “We won’t,” Dina and Vonda said at the same time.
    “And, Ava, don’t feel obligated to give the guy a happy ending, got it? If it happens, great. If not, don’t push it. Just go and have a good time.” Vonda sounded more like a mother than a friend right now.
    “I should give you guys some money or something for this, right?”
    “If we find the right guy, consider it a gift on us,” Vonda said.
    “I expect some sort of payment,” Dina quickly followed. “If anything happens with you and this guy, I want blow-by-blow details of the date, got it?”
    Ava laughed. “Got it. But don’t expect to hear much. The event is formal so he’ll need a tux.”
    “We’ll take care of it,” Dina said. “Just tell us a time he should meet you.”
    “I have a cousin that owns a limo service. I’ll have her send one out to pick you two up, that way the guy won’t have to know where you live.” Vonda sighed in satisfaction.
    “Looks like you all covered everything.” Ava could have used friends like these a long time ago. Keeping her head buried in books for most of her life prevented her from making any kinds of friendships, especially not lasting ones.
    “Not everything.” Vonda waited a beat before continuing. “Um, Miss Ava, when was the last time you had your va-jay-jay waxed?”
    Ava gasped.
    “Hey, if she’s going to do it, she had better be prepared.” Her new friend cackled and it didn’t sound so cute anymore.
    “She’ll need new underwear, too,” Dina said.
    Were these women looking at her right now?
    “Let’s just make a day of it. Shop for a new dress, makeup, hair, nails, the works.” Vonda got that giddy teenager voice again. “Next Saturday morning, ladies?”
    “I’m free,” Dina said.
    How could she say no? Actually she could have but curiosity got the better of her. “Sure. Why not? It’s been a long time since I’ve been relaxed, plucked, waxed and painted up.”
    “Then it’s a date. And, Ava?” Dina cleared her throat.
    Ava listened intently to Dina’s pearls of wisdom she began to impart. “Yes?”
    “No snorting when you laugh.” She complemented her request with a chuckle of her own.
    For that, Ava couldn’t stop laughing or snorting.
    “She’s a lost cause.” Dina laughed with her.
    “But she’s our cause, and our friend.” With Vonda’s sobering statement, Ava stopped laughing.
    This whole plan could be a very good thing or blow up right in Ava’s face. She didn’t know how the ladies had convinced her that going out with a paid escort to a company function could work. Now that the date train chugged along, she didn’t want to get off. She had to see this thing through…for the other women. Right, she would do it for them. Yes, that seemed convincing.
     
    * * * *
     
    “Dude, are you serious?” With a wide clown-like smile plastered on his face, and his body hunched over like he was ready to explode, Gross couldn’t hide his excitement.
    As much as Troy didn’t want to succumb to his friend’s request, he realized that getting a jump on life didn’t have to just mean a new career. While he searched for the next Miss Right, in the meantime he could accompany a few Miss Deep Pockets.
    “As much as I hate to say it, I’ll do it.” Troy avoided looking at his friend. When Gross remained quiet, Troy brought his attention to