The Arrangement

Chapter 11

"To the world you're going to be known as a personal assistant intern," Carl says as he walks me out. "Theo is surrounded by people every day. We want you to get lost in that crowd so as not to draw suspicion to your... extracurricular activities that I have no interest in knowing much about." Carl laughs. I wonder what else he knows.

Tabby is on the phone and casually waves at me as we walk past.

"One question for you, Carl?" I ask.

"Yeah, kid?"

"Can I put it on my resume?" I ask.

Carl laughs. "If you get sick of being a stripper, you should try being a comedian."

"Thanks," I say, but I take note that the way he said "stripper" was amplified.

Carl gives me a look. It's like he doesn't know what to think of me.

"Theo is working on a movie currently, he's directing for the first time and it takes up most of his energy," Carl says. "It's a big deal for him to branch out into this. Lots of good things are in the works for him."

Directing? That's hot...

We arrive at the exit and Carl hands me a phone. "This is a burner phone. It is to be used exclusively for this job. No more Instagram messages between you two," he scolds. "I about had a heart attack when I saw that you were talking. Theo won't respond to anymore of those, don't take it personally."

"You knew about that?" I ask.

"Of course! Honey, I have access to all his social media accounts, you definitely were in the danger zone in that," Carl says, and I blush. "Don't feel too guilty about it. I'd be hitting on Theo too if I were you. He was being an idiot responding. But you know how scandals happen. Some celebrity in a relationship messaging and flirting with a pretty stripper."

There's that word again. Stripper. It's not that I necessarily find the word offensive to describe exotic dancing, but Carl keeps using it in a condescending kind of way. As if it's a rank or social status. As if I'm beneath everyone.

"He doesn't have to worry about that from me, but I totally understand. It's better to play it safe. So... that thing with Jessica was a bit jarring," I say.

Carl sighs dramatically. "Tabby will take no prisoners. So as hot and flirty as you are, make sure you always behave around Theo. She's very possessive of him. They did this two years ago and it practically broke their relationship, I actually thought they were going to split, which would have been terrible for them both. Their rules are there for a reason."

I try not to think too much about that, but I wonder at his choice of words again.

"This is where we say goodbye, Evie," Carl states, standing right by the resort exit. "See you soon!"

I walk to my car, but stop at the door as I breathe in the saltwater air. It's as if some primal force is pulling me to the beach, to feel the sand under my toes and get a good splash of seawater on my my legs.

Why not? I'm here anyway.

I turn on my heel towards the sound of the beach behind the resort, the sun is beginning to set and I kick off my shoes as I reach the sand and run for the water. I know I'm wearing a fancy dress still, I know I've got make up on that's going to smear, but I just want to celebrate this moment.

Besides, Mac bought me this dress... who cares if it gets ruined because I'll buy a new one!

Closing my eyes, I drink in the fact that I just got accepted for an extremely lucrative four months of work. I let the waves splash up against the hem of my skirt and I do a little twirl.

I turn back to the sand and am shocked when I see Theo and Tabby sitting on beach chairs behind me. My eyes widen, my face heating up.

"Oh, hey, guys," I say.

Tabby looks confused and perhaps even slightly worried at my antics, Theo raises a hand to chin to cover a smile.

"Celebrating?" Tabby asks me, crossing her long, toned, tan legs over each other. She's wearing a jaw dropping white bikini. She looks like a goddess.

"I don't live on the beach, so I figured while I was here I should wade in real quick," I say with a shrug.

A rush of fear goes through me, however, Mac hated when I acted like this. Told me I was embarrassing him and being childish. What if Theo feels the same way?

Who cares what he thinks? Once again, this isn't you dating him, this is (as Jessica so elegantly put it) you making him all hard for his girlfriend.

"Don't stop on our account, Evie," Theo says, waving a hand at me as if giving me royal permission to continue in my revelry. I laugh and shake my head.

However, the wind has been taken out of my sails just enough that I kick the water once, and walk up from the shore to where they sit. I do a curtesy because I'm a dork, "see you soon, Mr. Thatcher. Have a good evening, you two."

"Wait," says Theo. "Let's take a picture together." He reaches out to me. "Give me your phone."

I obediently give him the new phone I'd gotten from Carl.

"Hey, you!" Theo calls to a fellow beach goer. "Will you get our picture?"

The beach goer obliges and snaps a few of us and then gives it back to Theo.

"Send me a few. I want to see them," Theo tells me with a wink. "Have a good night."

I smile shyly at him, when he winks at me it gives me butterflies, and I walk awkwardly over the sand back to where my shoes are.

Autumn is eating dinner when I arrive back at the apartment with sand sticking to my legs.

"Did you get the job?" Autumn asks. "Or did you decide to go to the beach? Also, Toby is stopping by in an hour."

"Yeah? I challenge the two of you to a race in MarioKart then." I say, opening up the fridge to rummage for some leftovers, only to find Autumn has eaten all of them.

Two hungry women in one house. I feel like most of my life is centered around going out to find food.

"You didn't answer my question, Evie," Autumn says, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Theo Thatcher said it was a yes," I tell her casually, trying to hide my triumphant grin.

"Ha ha, very funny," Autumn says, rolling her eyes at me. She thinks I'm joking since I just binge watched him.

"I'm going to be a personal assistant to him for the next four months," I say.

"No way," Autumn states, her eyes widening. "You're just yanking my chain."

"Trust issues much?" I say, shaking my head at her. I open up my phone and show the photo I took with Theo and Tabby.

"Shut up!" Autumn squeals. "Holy shit! What the fu—"

"Hey, language, don't make me put out a swear jar!" I say with a laugh.

I get a text from Theo. "Expect a package tomorrow, there are some things you'll need for your wardrobe next time I see you, and for your personal use that I'm sure you'll find enjoyable."

"I'm so jealous right now," Autumn says. "He's texting you and everything. That's why you were watching his movies, wasn't it? This is so freaking cool!"

She can't stop gushing, and I let her go on. A knock on the door sounds and I walk to answer it.

It's Toby. "Hey, man," I say, stepping aside. "Come on in."

Toby is a tall, gangly 18-year-old boy-almost-a-man. He smiles shyly at me. "Hey, Evie."

"Toby! Guess who Evie is working for as a personal assistant?" Autumn exclaims.

"I'm going to shower off the sand and order a pizza. You guys want anything?" I ask. "Pizza's on me."