Chapter 5 Hannah 1 blinked at her . " Jess ? Quiet , studious less , who's always at the library ? " " The very same . She met this finance guy on a sugar dating app . He's 45 , divorced , and works crazy hours . They meet up twice a week ; he takes her shopping , gives her an allowance , and yes , they have sex . " Emma wiggled her eyebrows . " Apparently , he's amazing in bed . Something about being grateful and compensating with enthusiasm . " " Jesus , Emma ! " I covered my face with a throw pillow . " I don't want to hear about Jess's sex life ! " " The point is , " Emma continued , yanking the pillow away , " he pays her tuition . All of it . Plus , spending money . " I stared at her . " You're serious . " " Dead serious . She showed me her profile . These guys are loaded , Han , CEOs , doctors , lawyers . And they're willing to pay big for companionship . " And sex , " I added flatly . " Well , yeah . Eventually . But Jess says most of them just want someone pretty to talk to . Someone who makes them feel young and interesting . " Emma leaned forward . Think about it . A few dates with the right guy could solve your problem . " " By selling myself ? The words came out harsher than I intended . Emma's face softened . " I know it sounds bad when you put it that way . But is it really that different from what people do in regular dating ? Everyone trades something . Looks , status , security . " I stood up and paced around her living room . " I don't know . It feels wrong . " " Wrong , like having a creepy loan shark threaten you ? Wrong , like potentially getting kicked out of university with one semester left ? " Emma's voice was gentle but firm . " I'm not saying it's ideal . I'm saying it might be your best option right now . " 1 stopped pacing and looked out her window at the city lights . What choice did I really have ? I'd tried everything else . Extra shifts wouldn't cut it . Another loan was impossible . Selling my meager possessions would barely make a dent . " How would it even work ? " asked quietly , still facing the window . I heard Emma shifting on the couch . " You make a profile . Choose what you're comfortable with . Meet for coffee first , in a public place , to see if there's any chemistry . If it feels sketchy , you walk . No harm , no foul . " I turned back to her . " And if it's not sketchy ? " " Then you negotiate . Allowance , expectations , boundaries . " She shrugged . Jess says most of these guys are actually super respectful . They know the deal Isank back onto the couch . I can't believe I'm even considering this . " Emma squeezed my hand . Just think about it , okay ? No pressure . But if you decide to try , I'll help you set everything up . Make sure you're safe . " I nodded slowly , my mind racing . The idea still made my skin crawl , but the alternative was Vincent Graves and his not - so - subtle threats . Between a loan shark and a sugar daddy , was there really any contest ? " I'll think about is , " I said finally . My head was already swimming from the wine , but the idea of sugar dating swirled around my brain like a tornado . Was I really considering this ? The thought of dating older men for money made my stomach clench , but so did the thought of facing Vincent again . The next evening , Emma helped me create a profile on Elite Arrangements , an exclusive sugar dating app that apparently catered to the wealthiest men in the city . I sat on her bed , nervously watching as she uploaded photos of me looking far more sophisticated than I felt and wrote a bio that made me like some cultured college girl seeking mentorship and companionship . Within an hour , my inbox was flooded with messages . sound Chapter 5 " Holy shit , " I whispered , scrolling through dozens of notifications . " These guys are serious ." " Told you , " Emma said smugly . " Ooh , look at this one ! Richard Thornton , CEO of an investment firm . Fifty - three , divorced , net worth … " She whistled . " Let's just say he could buy this entire apartment building without blinking And that's how I found myself the following evening , standing outside Aureole , a restaurant so fancy that the menu didn't even list prices . My bands trembled as I smoothed down the black dress Emma had insisted I wear . The neckline plunged just low enough to be noticeable without being trashy , and the hem hit mid - thigh , showing off legs I'd spent an hour shaving and moisturizing . " You look incredible , Emasa assured me , squeezing my arm . She'd come along for moral support and planned to sit at the bar , far enough away to give me privacy but close enough to intervene if things went south . Remember , if you get uncomfortable , just text me the code word . " " Pineapple , " I repeated , taking a deep breath . " Okay . I can do this . " The maitre d ' looked me up and down when I gave Richard's name , his expression shifting from dismissive to overly attentive once he realized I was meeting one of their VIP clients . He led me through the dimly lit restaurant , past tables of women dripping in diamonds and men in expensive suits . Richard stood when he saw me approach - tall , silver - haired , with the kind of tan that screamed , " I winter in the Maldives . " His suit was impeccable , his watch gleaming under the soft lighting . I'd seen his age on the profile , but seeing him in person drove home the fact that this man was old enough to be my father . " Hannah ," he said , his voice deep and confident . " You're even more beautiful than your pictures . " I forced a smile , shaking his outstretched hand . Thank you . It's nice to meet you . "