Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
“We are,” my friend responds immediately while fixing me with a look. “Which is why I want you to tell me if you need help. I’d do anything for you, Avalon. You know that. You saved my butt while I was working here at Northstar more than once.”
I laugh lightly, but don’t respond because actually, when Court needed money, I wasn’t able to help at all. Out of desperation, Court signed on to be a model for a line of rubber vaginas. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like, and even talking about it grosses me out a little. But it worked out for my friend because the artist taking her mold of her cunt was none other than the handsome Jack Dawson, and after a couple of steamy sessions in the studio, Court ended up marrying him!
But now, I couldn’t possibly ask for money from my friend when I wasn’t there for her when she needed help. As a result, I lie through my teeth.
“No, I’m just doing it for kicks. I mean, the money’s good, but that’s not the only reason why I joined Sweet Lies. I figured it could be fun!”
Court throws me another long look.
“There are lots of things that a girl can do for fun, Avalon, that have nothing to do with Sweet Lies. You could browse a bookstore, or take yourself out for a cup of hot chocolate. You could go on-line and meet guys—”
“I’m definitely not doing that,” I say quickly. “Ugh, dating online sounds awful.”
“I know,” Courtney says in a slow tone. “But you’re single now, and ready to mingle, right? There are many ways to meet men that have nothing to do with an exclusive gentlemen’s club.”
I nod cheerily.
“I know, but I wanted to be dangerous, and to challenge myself. I wanted to think outside the box, and not be a boring barista who goes home and watches reality TV for hours after work!”
Courtney pauses delicately, her hand on the back of her sleeping newborn’s head.
“Okay, but again, there are lots of ways to challenge yourself without doing this, Avalon.”
“But you don’t even know what ‘this’ is!”
Courtney takes a deep breath before looking straight into my eyes.
“So tell me.”
I smile brightly, like we’re discussing the latest celebrity gossip.
“Well, basically Sweet Lies started a service where members can buy gifts for one another as a show of friendship. So that’s what I’m doing.”
Courtney stares at me.
“Buy what gifts? What do you mean?”
I smile helplessly.
“Well, basically members can pick out a girl that they think their friend will enjoy. Then, they make the arrangements, and I show up at the recipient’s door. See? A gift! Kind of like Candygrams.”
Courtney stares at me.
“Girl, you know this is nothing like Candygrams. Candygram deliveries are about delivering sweets. Here, the gift is you.”
“Exactly!” I say brightly. “It’s a genius idea, and I’m excited.”
Court pauses again, thinking. Then my pretty blonde friend fixes me with another look.
“You’ve already been gifted, haven’t you, Av? You’re already on assignment.”
Damn, my buddy can read me like an open book, and I nod.
“I’ve already been selected for gifting, yes. Evidently, there’s a member who wants to me to pay a visit to his friend in the woods because this guy has a vacation cabin up there. But it’s cool. I figure I’ll hang out a little, flirt, show him some sexy times.”
Courtney stares at me.
“Avalon, you must be kidding. You’re going to a remote cabin in the woods to meet some single guy? And you know what the men do up there: they hunt. That cabin is probably filled to the brim with guns and ammunition because Minnesota men are avid outdoorsman. You can’t tell me you’re going up to that cabin alone to meet a strange man.”
“No, no, it’s not that bad, because you see, the gift recipient is also a Sweet Lies client. So he’s been vetted up the wazoo, and Sweet Lies already knows everything about him. Don’t worry, I’m not in any danger.”
Courtney shoots me another skeptical look.
“That’s better, but still, this sounds crazy shady, girlfriend. I don’t like it…”
“No, it’s fine!” I insist. “Besides, there’s an extra layer of insurance to all this: the gift recipient has his five year old daughter with him at the cabin. My arrival isn’t even a surprise because I’m supposed to be the babysitter for the little girl, so how crazy can it get? Shenanigans in front of his daughter? I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
Courtney shakes her head.
“I don’t know, Av. I mean, a lot of cults keep their kids close, and that doesn’t stop them from committing atrocities.”
I fix her with a look.
“Which cults?”
Courtney shrugs helplessly.
“I can’t name any right now, but I could look it up for you. Just let me ask ChatGPT—”
“No, no, it’s fine,” I say quickly. “I believe you. But honestly, I don’t think this guy is going to murder me in front of his innocent five-year-old daughter, and I don’t think I’m in danger because Sweet Lies is keeping tabs on the whole thing. Besides, maybe he won’t be interested in me at all, and really will want me to babysit his kid.”