Page 12 of Holiday Hoax

“I’ll go down and get it. If you want, you can grab a couple of glasses of water, or I have a bottle of white wine in the wine cooler underneath the island.” The glasses are on an open shelf, so I don’t bother pointing him in their direction.

On the way down I’m able to jump in the fast elevator, thank fuck because my damn stomach won’t stop growling. Heat radiates from the bags along with the most delicious scents. Unfortunately for me, I’m stuck on the slow elevator for the journey back to my apartment. For a moment I consider pulling out a piece of pita bread for the ride just to make my stomach hush.

“Dinner’s here,” I call out. As soon as I enter the room, I’m met with the sight of an angry Viking god holding a glass of wine in one hand and my list of ways to earn extra money in the other.

“What is this?” His voice is low and almost growly.

“A list of ways to make money.”

“Selling foot pics?” He prowls around the island and takes the bags from me. “Or panties?”

Part of me wants to melt into the floor at the fire in his eyes as he looks at me. The other part, the sane, rational, bra-burning feminist part wants to scream fuck the patriarchy and his bullshit attitude. So I straighten my shoulders and cock an eyebrow.

“And?” I give a careless shrug. “It’s an honest way to make a living.”

“It’s dangerous.”

I give a disbelieving laugh. “How so? No one would see my face, and I’d use a P.O. box.”

His brow furrows. “You’re seriously considering it.”

“We should eat before the food gets cold.”

“I have a rule for us.”

“A rule for us?” I cross my arms. “Let’s hear it.”

“We need to treat each other as if we’re really dating.”

“Yes, that’s the whole point.”

He holds the list up between his fingers. “I take care of what’s mine, and no girlfriend of mine will be selling panties or foot pictures for something I can give her.”

“I’m not going to let you pay my bills.”

“Then I’ll tell Nico.” He pulls his phone out.

“No.” I lunge for his phone, but he holds it out of my reach. “Don’t tell him anything.”

“Why? I know he’d help you in a heartbeat. Don’t tell me it’s because you don’t want to burden him and Stella while she’s trying to get a handle on her lupus.”

“Okay. Just put the phone down and promise not to say anything to either of them.”

His lips flatten into a thin line, but he eventually nods.

“When my dad had his heart attack, his hours got cut way back. Mom’s been working more, but it hasn’t been enough, so I’ve been picking up the slack here and there for them. They would only accept my help if I promised not to tell Nico or my sisters because they have families to care for.”

“So just because you’re single, they think it’s okay to take your money?”

“No.” I shake my head vehemently because I don’t want him to think less of my parents. “They wouldn’t have taken my money if they knew that I was already struggling.”

“If you’re struggling and don’t want your family to know, at least let me help,” he implores me. “I have more money than I’ll ever need.”

“I’m not taking money from you.”

A growl of frustration reverberates from his chest. “Are you always so stubborn?”

“Yes.” The annoyed look on his face is actually kind of adorable, so I cut him a break. “I did let you buy dinner tonight though.”

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