Page 24 of Shame

“Hi,” I say when I stop in front of him. He looks down at me, smiling, humor in his eyes. Like he finds something funny. Me, probably, because I’m pathetic.

“Hi,” he responds.

“Fuck’s sake,” his brother mutters, pushing through the door to go outside. I frown, ducking my head.

“Sorry about him,” Shark says, pushing the door open for me. I walk outside.

“Is he okay?” I ask quietly, watching as he walks to the end of the parking lot.

“Yeah, he’s fine. Just a grumpy fucker is all.”

“Oh, okay,” I say, not sure what I’m supposed to say to that. Should I ask why? Do I want to know why? Would he even tell me? Why the hell would he tell me? Actually, how do you tell someone that? He’s grumpy because he’s just naturally grumpy? He was born that way?

God, you are overthinking, Cora. Shut up!

“So, you finally gave me your number,” Shark says.

I blink a few times, then realize yes, I did. And for a reason.

“I wanted to thank you for helping me with the car. And let you know that I will pay you back as soon as I can.”

“Pay me back for what?” he asks.

“For the car?” I say, wondering if this is going to be a repeat of when I was at the mechanic shop.

“What car?” He tilts his head, narrowing his eyes.

I stare at him, not sure if he’s messing with me or trying to be cute.

“My car,” I say slowly, then gesture toward it. “The one you had towed. The one you paid to fix?”

“Hm,” he says, staring at the car and scratching his beard-covered jaw. “Not sure I know what you’re talking about.”

I narrow my eyes, looking from him to the car, then back to him. “You… don’t know what I’m talking about?” My heart pounds a little harder, and my vision goes a little fuzzy. Am I losing my mind?

“Right. So, you can’t pay me back for it.”

Oh… ooooh. I get it now.

“No,” I say, shaking my head. “I couldn’t possibly accept something like that. You don’t even know me.”

“Considering I don’t know what you’re talking about… I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

A smile crosses my lips, and I let out a breath.

Just relax, Cora. He’s being cute on purpose.

“You think you’re funny?” I ask.

He shrugs, giving me a cute smile. The man looks like he could kill me with his bare hands, yet he’s giving me this adorable little look.

“Sometimes, yeah.”

“Funny is good, but stubborn trumps funny. And I’m stubborn as hell. Meaning, I will pay you back for that car one way or another. I don’t care if youforgotabout it. I haven’t.”

He raises a brow at me. “If you say so, sweetheart.”

“I do,” I say with a firm head nod.

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