Crap. I hadn’t really thought about where we were headed until we pulled up to Patterson’s building. It’s the nicest place in the nicest part of the city. My laughter dies away and I feel a faint trace of regret in offering to help him. But I need the money—what else was I supposed to do?
I wanted to say yes when he asked to make dinner. For the first ti in a long ti I was having fun and enjoying myself. He has no idea who I am. To him I’m just a girl who takes people where they want to go. With him I can live in the mont for a while. Until we pull up to his place and it cos tumbling back. It won’t take long for him to find out who I am if he wants to or not. It’s clear from the building he lives in he cos from money. The kind that know people like my parents. What if soone recognizes ?
"You okay?" Patterson asks as I pull into an empty parking spot and put the car into park.
He’s good at reading , which ans I’ll have to do better to keep him at a distance.
"Yeah, just tired," I admit, and it’s the truth. Though it’s not only lack of sleep that’s wearing down. I’m tired of a lot of things, and keeping people at an arm’s length is the main one right now.
"Co on." He gets out of the car, and before I have my seat belt off he’s on my side and opening the door for . This ti he doesn’t offer his hand and instead reaches inside and takes my hand so I don’t have the choice to refuse him.
"What did I say about keeping your hands to yourself?" I remind him, but I don’t pull away from his touch.
"I thought we moved past that when you ate all my chocolate." His smile summons my own and I’m warm all over. How does he keep doing that?
"Wow, you like to hold a grudge," I tease him as he closes the car door for and I pop the trunk.
"Like I said, you talk more when I aggravate you."
He reaches into the trunk and hands one bag before taking the rest for himself. I start to tell him he could just carry all of them but stop myself. I remind myself this is about the tip money and not about wanting to spend more ti with him.
I don’t have anywhere to be besides back in the car for the night. I’d already made up my mind that I wasn’t going ho after I left the apartnt this morning. I could score a hotel with the hundred I’d shalessly snatched right out of Patterson’s hand, but I won’t let myself. It would be like throwing money away and I’m smarter than that.
I follow Patterson towards his building, and the closer we get the more I think this is a bad idea. Soone could recognize . My stomach starts to tighten. I wonder if maybe I can give the bag to his doorman and he could help him bring it up, but when we enter the building I don’t see one. The lobby is deserted and I’m relieved that there’s no one else around, but then I rember it is the middle of the night.
It’s happened a few tis where I ran into soone who was pissed about losing their money and took it out on . It’s always so embarrassing, even though I know it wasn’t my fault. Being yelled at in public for being a thief sucks. I don’t try to argue and defend myself anymore. Instead I just try and get away from it. It would be worse if it happened in front of Patterson because he’s been so nice to . That’s probably the reason I’m attracted to him.
I follow him past the main bank of elevators and have to stifle a groan when he slides his key into a private one at the end of the hall.
"What’s your last na?" I ask as I step onto the elevator and he follows in after .
"Stephens." He hits the button for the top floor as I try and shuffle through nas of the people my parents screwed over. Nothing cos to mind, but I never paid close attention.
"Yours?" he asks just as the doors open and I’m saved from answering.
His place is completely bare and I walk in and make a show of looking around.
"I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this wasn’t it." He isn’t wearing a ring, so I assu this is a bachelor pad, but there’s nothing here. I realize that he might be new to town and that’s why I don’t know his na. "Did you just move in?"
"Sadly I’ve been here a while." He smiles as I look around again and take in the simple couch and chair with a coffee table. "I was told the place was a steal and I should buy it as an investnt property." I follow him into the bright white kitchen that looks high tech. "I really don’t care where I sleep. As long as I can grab a few hours here and there I’m good."
"Must be nice," I mumble without thinking about what I’m saying.
He stills at my slip-up and his eyes co to mine. I watch concern cross his face and then I feel like a jerk for saying it. It’s not his fault he’s rich and I’m in my situation.
"Let make you dinner." His voice is softer now, but there’s pity in it.
"I don’t need your charity." I place the one bag he gave down onto the counter and cross my arms.
"That’s not why I’m asking you." He braces his hands on the counter and looks like he’s gearing up for a fight, but I don’t want that with him. "I want you to stay because I asked you to and you want to be here. I’m enjoying myself outside of the office, which never happens." He smiles and I see his dimple. I think about what it would be like to lean into his big body and kiss him there. He’d have to lean down a little for to reach it, or maybe I could if I stood on my tip toes. "Stay," he says softly, and I can’t say no.
"Okay," I agree, and it feels nice to have soone want around. "But I can’t cook for shit," I admit as I sit down on one of the tall chairs under the counter.
"You’re in luck. I spent my Sundays in the kitchen with my mom and I know my way around." He smiles as he starts to unpack the groceries and passes the Oreos. I can’t stop myself from taking one.
"Is that what good old boys from the Midwest do on Sunday?"
"Nah, I spend them at work or yelling at the Eagles when they play. I was raised here, sweetheart."
His term of endearnt catches off guard as he places a glass of milk in front of .
"Don’t fill up on cookies. I’m going to feed you." I nod as I watch him move around the kitchen. The place looks unlived in, but he knows his way around.
"You said the Midwest earlier."
"I was born there. My mom is from the Midwest and I spent my sumrs there with my grandparents. My parents moved back there when my dad retired. I’ve still got the city in my blood. I’ve been here almost my whole life."
When he says that I know all I’ll have with him is tonight. There’s no way he won’t find out who I am and what my family has done. Our circles are too small. I’m surprised that I don’t already know him, but I bet Cara does.
I smile at him and I know I’m going to take what I can get. Even if it’s only for tonight, I’m going to pretend I’m not . I’m just a girl having dinner with a kind man, because that’s all this can ever be.
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