Page 51 of My Damaged Protector

“Why not? I mean, you wouldn't sell me out or anything, right? And I know you'll keep me safe, so better you than anyone else.”

Now that the food is out, the smell fills the room. She dramatically sniffs the air.

“Amazing,” she says.

“Compelling,” I say in response to her offer.

Knowing what I mean, she shrugs, giving me a look that says she's serious.

“Well, as flattering as your offer is, I'm afraid I'll have to pass, but…” I raise a finger when she starts to interrupt me. “But I can drive you around until it all blows over.”

“And how much would I have to pay for that?”

“Just be a good boss?”

“You got it.”

We both laugh, and our eyes meet.

Breaking the stare, I start with my food, motioning at hers as I start to eat.

As much as I like the banter between us, I don't want to get too lost in the moment. When all this is over, we both still have our lives and realities to get back to.

She starts to eat. Neither of us speaks, and luckily, the silence isn't an awkward one.

“Do you miss Glazer Ville?” she asks out of the blue, making me pause.

Do I miss Glazer Ville?

I can't say yes, but I can't entirely say no, either.

The town was peaceful to some extent, and nobody knew who I was there or treated me as less of a human.

I particularly love my aunt's estate. If I were to ever decide to give up on firefighting, I may want to move there if the offer is still available for me to access.

But I don't even know if Richard will ever give me back my job. After what just happened last night, there's no telling if he'll ever forgive me.

And let's not forget that I am extremely low on cash. I don't even want to go into the details of how I've been coping these past weeks. It's been hell.

A laugh unknowingly escapes me, and it's not until it stops that I realize what I just did.

“What's funny?” Sarah asks, a hurt look on her face.

I shake my head. “It's not… It's not about what you asked. Just remembered something.”

“What is it?”

Her interest in her food is now gone as she places it down and faces me with an eager smile.

Well, if she's asking, I might as well tell her.

“What if I tell you that I am a billionaire but yet I'm broke as hell?”

Her lips purse as she tries to fight a smile. I wave her off.

“Nah, it's fine. You can laugh. I'm laughing at myself, too.”

There's some sauce at the tip of her finger and she smears it on her lips.

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