Dolly (Joshler)

Chapter 2

After Michelle had sent Tyler to get ready for dinner with Josh, he had rushed back to his room in the staff wing of the resort. Tyler, not planning on being an escort when he applied for the job, hadn't packed any formal attire. The closest thing he could find to fine evening wear was a white button-down shirt, black slacks, his sleek work shoes, and a black tie he borrowed from his roommate/fellow employee. Tyler was frantically trying to make himself look nice, so frantically that he didn't hear Haley knock on his door, or come into the room, or call his name several times to get his attention.

"Hey!" Haley shouted, finally getting Tyler's attention. Tyler froze and turned to face her, his hair a mess from trying to style it and his tie loose since he had no clue how to tie it.

"Hey," Tyler replied, unsure what else to say.

"Do you want some help?" She asked and he nodded. Haley made Tyler take a seat and she began to style his hair.

"Anything you want to tell me about when you took Mr. Dun's bags to his room?" She asked and Tyler looked up at her, confused.

"Nothing happened! I just took his bags, made some small talk, and then left," Tyler replied and Haley nodded.

"Sorry, I guess we're all just a little confused. Never pegged him for a gay man," she said and Tyler's eyes grew wide.

"He's gay? Does he think I'm gay?" Tyler asked and Haley laughed quietly.

"It's ok, Tyler. I think everyone knows you're gay," she said as she gave his hand a comforting squeeze. It was true, Tyler was gay, he had just gotten in the habit of trying to hide it. Tyler's parents didn't approve of gay couples and Tyler never wanted to upset or disappoint them so he kept his sexuality to himself.

"I... yeah ok, I'm gay. But what does that have to do with Josh? You said you never thought he was gay, what if he's doing all this to be mean or something?" Tyler asked, unsuccessfully hiding his worry from her.

"I'm sure he's not planning on doing anything mean. Sure, he's stuck up but all rich guys are. I've seen him come here for several years and he's never asked anyone for dinner. Anytime he calls for a companion he won't see them till late at night when he needs to get off. With you he actually asked you if you'd want to go to dinner, like a date," she sat down next to him and tried to calm him down. What Haley said did make Tyler feel a bit better, but not much.

"I'm just nervous. I haven't been on a date with a guy since college, and I've definitely never been in one with a millionaire who could have me fired if I'm not interesting enough," Tyler sighed but Haley shook her head.

"You will be just fine. I don't think he will get you fired, if anything he may like you so much he wants to take you away with him. I have a good feeling about this, just give it a chance," she said as she fixed his tie for him.

"Ok, I'll give it a chance," Tyler replied and she smiled.

"You better go do it now, it's almost 6," Haley said as she pulled him up and straightened his tie.

"Just act like it's a date, nothing more. You're not on the clock, you're just going to dinner," she tried to reassure him. Tyler smiled and thanked her before leaving the room and starting the walk back to the restaurant. Tyler tried to focus on what Haley said but he couldn't help but be nervous. He was on the clock, he was being paid to be a companion to a multi-millionaire. It was almost too much for Tyler, he tried to focus on his breathing but stopped when he caught sight of Josh. Tyler could tell he had changed suits and restyled his hair. Josh took his breath away, quite literally. Tyler momentarily forgot how to breathe, causing him to struggle for air before tripping and falling to the ground. After he fell he took a moment to catch his breath before opening his eyes to see Josh kneeling beside him.