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Back The Companion Project Save as PDF
Chapters (89)
  1. Dedication
  2. AUTHOR’S NOTE
  3. ONE
  4. HENRY
  5. TWO
  6. EMMA
  7. THREE
  8. HENRY
  9. FOUR
  10. EMMA
  11. FIVE
  12. EMMA
  13. SIX
  14. SEVEN
  15. HENRY
  16. EIGHT
  17. NINE
  18. TEN
  19. HENRY
  20. ELEVEN
  21. TWELVE
  22. EMMA
  23. THIRTEEN
  24. HENRY
  25. FOURTEEN
  26. HENRY
  27. FIFTEEN
  28. SIXTEEN
  29. EMMA
  30. SEVENTEEN
  31. HENRY
  32. EIGHTEEN
  33. HENRY
  34. NINETEEN
  35. HENRY
  36. TWENTY
  37. TWENTY-ONE
  38. EMMA
  39. TWENTY-TWO
  40. EMMA
  41. TWENTY-THREE
  42. HENRY
  43. TWENTY-FOUR
  44. EMMA
  45. TWENTY-FIVE
  46. EMMA
  47. TWENTY-SIX
  48. EMMA
  49. TWENTY-SEVEN
  50. HENRY
  51. TWENTY-EIGHT
  52. EMMA
  53. TWENTY-NINE
  54. HENRY
  55. THIRTY
  56. HENRY
  57. THIRTY-ONE
  58. HENRY
  59. THIRTY-TWO
  60. EMMA
  61. THIRTY-THREE
  62. HENRY
  63. THIRTY-FOUR
  64. EMMA
  65. THIRTY-FIVE
  66. EMMA
  67. THIRTY-SIX
  68. HENRY
  69. THIRTY-SEVEN
  70. EMMA
  71. THIRTY-EIGHT
  72. HENRY
  73. THIRTY-NINE
  74. HENRY
  75. FORTY
  76. EMMA
  77. FORTY-ONE
  78. HENRY
  79. FORTY-TWO
  80. FORTY-THREE
  81. EMMA
  82. FORTY-FOUR
  83. EMMA
  84. FORTY-FIVE
  85. HENRY
  86. EPILOGUE
  87. ALSO BY CHELSEA CURTO
  88. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  89. ABOUT THE AUTHOR

That was not the response I was anticipating. I was expecting an expletive-laced reply, berating me and telling me where I could shove my out-of-control price tag. It’s obvious this is an extremely important event to JD, and it sounds significantly deeper than a simple dinner party, holding substantial weight and purpose.

Guilt makes its way up my throat as I reread his speedy agreement. He didn’t bother to ask any additional questions or challenge the total. Booking me for a single night out only runs my clients between $300 and $500. I’m seriously price gouging this dude.

Shit. I feel bad.

I never feel bad.

Why is this one different?

Shaking off the remorse, I read the email again, then a third time, picking the loose skin around my pointer finger as I digest his approval. Finally satisfied with my decision, I type out words my brain has yet to process.

To: JD7683

From: RBCompanions

Subject: Re: New Inquiry

Date: September 1

JD,

I’m on my phone a lot for work, so I’ll always answer quickly. That’s a pet peeve of mine, too. The P.I. is going to reach out to you to conduct a background check, so keep an eye on your (fake, I’m guessing, but still super original) email account so you can get that completed.

Looking forward to talking to you more soon!

Thanks,

RB

I click my phone off for good, hiding it under the towel on the edge of the tub. After that October weekend, I’ll finally be debt free—something I never thought would happen. I could jump for joy right now, and I let out an excited, high-pitched squeal.

I found my one good thing of the day.

JD.

And not because he’s paying off the last remaining bit of my debt. A handful of messages back and forth, and I’m already intrigued by this mystery man, eager to learn more.

FIVE

EMMA

Exhaustion.

Population: Me.

It’s becoming a trend at this point. I’m a permanent resident.

Every inch of my body groans and protests as I rub my eyes, staring blearily at my computer screen. The first round of interviews for the partner position are happening soon, and to say I’m anxious would be the understatement of the century.

All of my work is triple-checked, ensuring its accuracy. I arrive at the office early, and I stay late. I’m taking on additional cases and reviewing interview techniques online, practicing the STAR method while jotting down questions to ask my interviewers.

I’m doing nineteen different things at once and attempting to juggle a work/life/social event balance. It’s becoming more and more difficult. I’m ready for this madness to be over already.