Page 100 of Born to Make You Smile

“Yes,” I said with a firm nod.

While it wasn’t the almost eight grand Gavin had paid, it was more than enough to cover the furnace. Calculations swirled in my head. With the final paycheck from X-PLORE plus my paycheck from Gavin, I would have more than enough to buy back the bracelet by the end of January. As long as Marcelo would agree to hold it for me. What if he said no?

I swallowed. “But I need a favor. If you can hold on to it, hide it away somewhere, and at the end of the month, I’ll buy it back from you. I’ll pay you extra for it. Just please,please,hold on toit. I really need the cash, but I also need the bracelet back. It was a gift.” I dug my nails into my fists, awaiting his response.

“Well.” He let out a heavy sigh. “Okay. I wouldn’t do this for anyone. But for you, Dorina’s best friend, I’ll do this favor. And I’ll give you special deal. Six grand and fifty cents.”

I let out a laugh. I could have hugged him. “Thank you, Marcelo, thank you!”

THIRTY

“What’s with the luggage?”Gavin asked as he loaded the suitcase into the trunk of his SUV.

“I’m staying with Dorina and Vanessa for the week,” I said. “Until my furnace is replaced. So, after work, I’ll just head over there.”

He nodded and closed the trunk.

After our G-Force hand gesture, we headed on our way.

“You know, I was thinking,” he said, tapping the steering wheel. “Why don’t you stay with us instead? You can sleep in the spare bedroom. There’s more than enough space.”

I blinked, trying to figure out what to say. Part of me wanted to stay with him. But I also didn’t want to trouble him, or be treated like I couldn’t take care of myself. Besides, Dorina was really looking forward to the girl time. She’d already made plans for us.On top of all that, I didn’t love the idea of being hidden away in the spare bedroom. It put a sour twist in my stomach.

“Don’t worry.” I brushed a hand at him. “Dorina’s excited for me to stay with her, plus her condo is close to the subway so I can get to your office easily in the mornings.”

He hummed, looking concerned. “All right. You’re sure?”

“Yes. Very sure.”

“I’m going to miss you riding with me.” He frowned. He looked as if I’d told him I was moving away forever.

“Gavin.” I put my hand on his arm. “It’s only a week.”

“I know. I’m just teasing.” He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“You’ll have to listen to disco hits on your own.”

He nodded. “I suppose without you here, I can play ‘You Sexy Thing’ on repeat.”

I let out a chuckle. But inside, I ached. He seemed so disappointed that I turned down the offer to stay with him. And while I didn’t want to hurt his feelings, I also had to do what was best for me.

For us.

***

“Hold on. So Gavin offered to have you stay at his place, but you turned him down?” Dorina asked, grabbing a tuna roll with her chopsticks.

“I told him I was already staying here.”

“Don’t get me wrong, welovehaving you, but the man was reaching out, starting to incorporate you into his life.”

“I guess,” I said hesitantly. “But the thing is, he wanted me to stay in the spare bedroom. It’s like he wants me, but he wants tokeep me at a distance at the same time. I hate that. And I hate relying on him. I’m like his third daughter.”

I groaned, then put a piece of salmon sashimi into my mouth. The fresh, cool fish melted on my tongue. Sushi was an expensive delicacy I hadn’t had in months, and I really missed the flavor.

Dorina rolled her eyes. “I’m sure he doesn’t think of you like that. But what’s wrong with relying on him once in a while?”

“It feels too risky.” I pursed my lips. “Like he’ll spoil me, then decide I’m no longer worth it and take it away.”

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