Page 48 of Sexy Bad Escort

SoIsnag a beer and leanagainst the wall, letting her do her thing, waiting for her tofinally speak to me.

I reallyshouldcrack first andapologize, except I don’t know what I should be sorry for. Sure, mybehavior was less than polite. Okay, yes, I was an asshole to mybrother and father alike. And, of course, I pulled Ronnie into thesniping by announcing that I was an escort and she was my pimp,forcing her, while red-faced and sputtering, to explain that mydescription wasn’t entirely accurate.

I guessI do know what I shouldbe sorry for.

Beforeshe can do it herself, I makeher a drink, Johnny Walker Blue Label over ice. When Ioffer it to her, she arches her brow before taking it and thenwalking into the living room. I follow like a meek puppy with mytail between my legs.

“Fuckers,”Pucker says from his perch in his cage near the window.

“I can’ttake that,” Ronnie says.“Not tonight.” She strides over and drops the blanket over thebird’s home, and he falls silent.

She sitson the couch, and Ilower myself next to her, close but not touching. For long minuteswe drink in silence, and I finally can’t take it anymore, so Idrape my arm across the cushion and dance my fingers over hershoulder.

Sheshrugs me offbeforeturning to face me. “We need to talk, Danny.”

Uh-oh.“Yousure? I think I’d rather we act instead.”

“Act?”

“Yeah.Action. Thehorizontal kind.” I waggle my bushy eyebrows.

She rolls hereyes, but her expression sobers in seconds. “What the hell happenedat your parents’ house tonight?”

It’s onthe tip ofmy tongue tomake a snarky reply. What’s that called? Avoidance tactic? Instead,I go for honesty. “I was afraid. And acting out as aresult.”

Her browsshoot into her hairline. “Afraid of what?”

My legis shaking, and it makesme think of my dad, so I stand and start pacing from one end of theroom to the other. Ronnie watches me while slowly sipping herdrink.

“Everything.” I throw my hands into the air. My beer foamsup but luckily doesn’t bubble over. “As much as I pretendotherwise, I really would like to have my dad’s approval. Just once in my life would benice.”

“Iknow.” There’sso muchsympathy in her voice, it’s enough to make a grown man cry. Almost.“But I think you’re going about it all wrong.”

“Huh?”What does she know about this topic? She’snever had to wonder if her parentsapproved of anything she’s ever done. They love everything abouther. She can do no wrong. Although…

“Remind me tonever invite Joe to a Frost family function.”

Her browknits. “Why?” she asks.

“Becauseif your mom meetshim,she’ll try to set you up with him.”

“What?Don’t be ridiculous, Danny. She thinks you and I are…well, I don’t exactly know what shethinks, but it’s enough that she hasn’t tried to set me up sincethat day she caught us kissing in her kitchen.”

“Speaking ofbeing afraid, is that the real reason why you don’t want to tellher you’re my girlfriend? Because secretly you know I’m not goodenough? That you can do way better, and they all knowit?”

“Where is thisinsecurity and self-loathing coming from?”

“It’sfact, Ronnie. Plain and simple. Should I start listing the ways youwould be settling if youdecide to stick with me long-term?”

“Considering we’ve gone into business together, I’d say I’vealready decided to stick with you longterm.” Her voice has cooled so considerably Iactually shiver.

“Business and relationships are vastly different, you know.”

“You’reright,” she says, standing. “When it comes to business, you have agreat deal of confidence. When it comes to interpersonalrelationships, you’rewallowing in self-pity and pathetic, pointless insecurities.” Shewalks to the kitchen and places her glass in the sink. With herhand on the counter, she partially turns toward me.

“I’m going tobed. Please see yourself out.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

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