“Yes,” Cyrus said, his shoulders broadening with pride. “He’s a talented designer.”

I stood attentive as they conversed about Patrick’s attributes and promise of success. The entire scene was surreal. If only I didn’t know the backstory, if only I didn’t know that Cyrus had met Patrick with the help of this woman and Infidelity, I could take everything they said at face value. Now, however, with my knowledge, everything I heard was skewed.

When the elevator moved, I knew we were moving upward, but how far up or the number of floors. The control panel had only two buttons: O and I. Karen had hit I. When the doors opened, I had the distinct impression we were now at the real Infidelity, the reason for our visit.

We were again met with a large glass desk, a receptionist, and the word Infidelity in beautiful scroll upon the wall behind her. The difference here, versus the other lobby, was that there was only one door beyond this woman and to pass through that door, a security code was required.

Karen’s office was lovely with a full wall of windows that looked out on the financial district and beyond to the Brooklyn Bridge. While Cyrus and I sat in the two chairs facing the desk, Karen asked, “Would you like anything to drink? Water, tea, coffee, perhaps something stronger?”

They both looked at me.

“I’m fine. Thank you.”

Karen settled behind her desk and opened a screen on her computer. “Alex Collins, twenty-three years old, soon to be twenty-four, recent graduate of Stanford University, graduated with honors, and currently enrolled at Columbia Law.” Her eyes widened. “Is that you?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Alex, tell me why Infidelity should consider bringing you into our fold.”

I sat straighter on the edge of my seat. “Ms. Flores, I’m not well versed enough with Infidelity to answer that question. I was given a brief synopsis of this company and what it does, but while it may be unusual, I’d prefer to learn more from you. While I’m intrigued, I have my future to consider. Besides the obvious financial benefit, I’d like to know what Infidelity can do for me.”

Karen smiled and sat back against her chair. “Yes, indeed.”

She continued to watch me as the silence grew. Finally, when I didn’t speak, she leaned forward and began, “I’m sure from the brief description that you received you have questions. Miss Collins, let me make this clear, at Infidelity we do not sell sex. That is not what Infidelity is about. I’d like to get that misconception off the table right away. At Infidelity our clients buy class, poise, companionship, and compatibility. Our clients are exclusive and successful. Our employees are confidential and classified. Currently, we have over one hundred employees in extremely high-profile relationships. Whether the client is a CEO, politician, or in the arts, no one, not even their closest friends and family, know where they found their significant other. The beauty of our service is that relationships take time. If a client is high profile, every potential partner is under suspicion. Here at Infidelity, we guarantee that nothing will ever be disclosed. That is one of the reasons that we are very selective as to whom we employ.

“I’ll be honest, Miss Collins. You are many things, but your life goal is what makes you a potential candidate for Infidelity. Yes, you’re beautiful. You’re also young. Youth spurs beauty. I can find beautiful women in every city or town in the country. You’re intelligent. Your education speaks to that. However, we have intelligent employees who were never granted access to institutions such as Stanford. It’s because of your dream for your future that you stand out.

“I’d venture to say that one day you’d like to be a successful attorney, perhaps even enter the judicial system. You obviously have the résumé, assuming you complete Columbia. Maybe your goal is politics… my point is that you will adhere to our strict code of ethics and confidentiality. If you don’t, it’s your closet that will be decorated for Halloween.”

I nodded. That made sense. “Are your clients as well screened as your employees?”

“Yes.”

“I apologize for repeating myself, but what can Infidelity do for me?”

Karen stood and walked to the front of her desk. Sitting on the edge, she leaned back. “Miss Collins, your background check has just begun. From what I could obtain, it appears you didn’t have financial concerns while at Stanford. Your tuition, as well as monthly payments to your savings and checking accounts, was all paid by a trust fund brokered by the Savannah law firm of Hamilton and Porter. That trust fund is now gone.”

I swallowed and looked from Karen to Cy and back to Karen.

“Miss Collins, that is my business—our business. I know about my clients and about my employees. I don’t share that knowledge, but I make it my business to know.”

“Everything you said is correct,” I confirmed.

“The next natural conclusion is that you’re in need of money. If we broker a mutually beneficial agreement, Infidelity reimburses its employees well. The average employee receives twenty thousand dollars a month for living expenses. You see, it’s important for our employees to fit in with the clients and their world. While all of our clients agree to provide housing, their generosity beyond the basics—very high-end basics—is at their discretion.

“May I assume that twenty thousand dollars a month would be helpful in meeting your tuition expenses?” she asked.

No shit.

“Yes.”

“Beyond that, Miss Collins, while it may not seem as if it would, Infidelity will open doors for you. You’ll be seen with the best of the best. You’ll brush elbows and interact with people who may one day consider you for their law firm or vote on your nomination.”

“And they’ll know that I was—”

“No. No one knows where you and your client met except you, him, and me.” She looked to Cyrus. “Cyrus is officially your sponsor. No one comes to us without one. While he knows that you’re here, no one will inform him of the client who purchases your agreement.” She shrugged. “That said, Cyrus Perry is a smart man. He’ll figure it out, but if he were ever to share that, he would be removed from the Infidelity network.

“That is why you’ll never meet other employees, not in the capacity of colleagues. The few office staff and medical staff with whom you’ll interact are restricted by rather strong do-not-disclose agreements. They’re paid very well to keep secrets and forget who and what they see.”

Just like the house staff at Montague Manor.

“I would venture to guess,” Karen went on, “that you have met clients and employees alike without ever being the wiser. That is the beauty of Infidelity.”

“I-I…” I leaned on the arms of the chair. “…can’t… the man can’t be married.”

Karen smiled and walked back to the other side of the desk. “Cyrus, could you please give Alex and me a couple of hours. Let’s say until three thirty?”

Cy stood and looked at me. “Alex?”

I took a deep breath and slowly released it. “I’m willing to continue this discussion. Thank you, Cy.”

He smiled and turned back to Karen. “Take good care of her. She’s important to Pat and to me.”

The last part of his sentence sent an unexpected flow through me, bringing warmth to my chilled extremities.

For the next two hours Karen and I discussed everything that could be expected of me as well as things I deemed unacceptable. Our conversation wasn’t limited to sex, though we did discuss that. We also talked about living conditions and my need to have time for classes and studying. We discussed travel and whether or not I had a passport. We discussed schedules and domestic responsibilities.

She even asked me about my preferences when dating. What I liked or looked for in a man. It often seemed as though I was completing a profile for an online dating service. I agreed to a photo session after our interview. Pictures were needed for my file.