Page 11 of Companion Required

Before he second-guessed himself, he picked up the phone and called the number.

“I want to offer you the job, but clearly with certain conditions. You’ll still need to play the part of companion, but I wouldn’t expect anything else from you.”

“Sex, you mean?”

“No, I meananypublic displays of affection. Sex was never a part of the deal. So are you interested?”

Only soft breathing came from the other end of the phone. Irritation started to rise in Kennedy again, but just as he started to speak, Kieran cut in.

“Look, Mr Grey, I truly am interested. I was just—I was going through your clothing requirements and, well, I don’t have half of the items listed there. And rather than waste your time, I was going to call to say I’m afraid that financially I’m not exactly in a position—”

Kennedy had already begun to chuckle, which brought Kieran to a halt.

“What?”

“Don’t you have a module on law in your management programme?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Then maybe you should read the fine print. The first two lines on the beginning of page six.”

Kennedy could hear the faint sound of a mouse clicking a couple of times before the line became quiet.

“You’ll provide the clothes for me?” came the confused voice. “Why would you do that?”

“Think of these items as your uniforms. I can hardly expect an employee to pay for clothes which, let’s face it, might not be to his taste, and some he’s unlikely to wear again. That would hardly be fair. Which is why, if you look further down, you’ll see that I need your key measurements, to make sure we get you the right size. Or if you’d prefer, we can go shopping together on a day you have free. Maybe the same day you get your health check done.”

“Our health checks,” said Kieran firmly. “If I’m to suffer the indignity of getting tested, then so are you.”

Kennedy inhaled deeply. This companion would be a challenge, but what choice did he have?

“Our checks, then. And once the holiday is over, you get to keep whatever clothes you want or give them away. You decide. So I guess the only question that remains is—are you in or not?”

“Yes. Yes, I’m in. Thank you very much for the opportunity, Mr Grey.”

“Oh, and Kieran. That’s the last time you call me Mr Grey. It’s Kennedy from now on. Are we clear?”

Kieran chuckled.

“Crystal clear. Although, can’t I call you Ned? I had a hamster called Ned when I was a kid. Loved him to bits.”

Kennedy found himself enjoying the banter and struck back immediately.

“If you’re going to reduce Kennedy to Ned, then I’m sure you won’t mind if I refer to you, Kieran, as Key. Can’t wait to see my friends’ faces when I introduce them to Key West.”

The burst of laughter coming down the phone was unexpected, and made Kennedy smile.

“I think that’s your way of telling me no, so let’s keep to our original names.”

“Smart boy.”

“And that, Kennedy Grey, is the last time you get to call me a boy. Deal?”

The comment caught Kennedy off guard and he laughed aloud.

“Touché.”

Before signing off, they agreed to meet on a Saturday for tests and shopping. Tossing his phone onto his desk, Kennedy stared down at the blank display, shaking his head and grinning to himself.

Kieran West was going to be an interesting handful.

---