Page 13 of Tourist Trap

Claire must know that to be true as well, something that becomes clear when she says, “Probably because she knew if she told you it was me, you’d say no without even giving me a shot.”

“Well, she was right. I’m saying no.” I try to close the door, but she’s stronger than she looks. I could force it closed, but I’d probably hurt her in the process, and while I might be an ass, I’m notthatmuch of an ass. Regardless of how frustrating I find her, I don’t want to hurt her.

“Please, Miles. You know me. I know you. This is kind of a best-case scenario because now you can rent to someone who isn't a total stranger, and I can move in knowing my new landlord isn’t a serial killer.”

I shake my head in the negative. No matter how she sells this, her living here would be a terrible fucking idea.

“No.”

She sighs, and a look of resignation comes over her face, while a sense of relief washes through me. She’s not going to fight me on this for once in her life. But then her face shifts, an alarming level of determination taking over, and that relief is gone.

I should have known it wouldn’t have been that simple.

“Come on, if you don’t let me stay here, my next option is staying with Old Man Rafferty, and June said that’s a bad idea.”

Instantly, I shake my head because everyone knows that Mr. Rafferty is weird. Over my dead body will Claire stay there.

“You can’t stay there; he’s a creep. He’ll probably watch you sleep or something.”

A smile plays on her lips, hope in her eyes, and I realize I fucked up.

“So you’ll let me stay here?” she asks.

I run a hand through my hair and let out a bone-deep sigh. “I don’t know…”

It’s a terrible plan, and not just because she’s my brother’s ex. Not just because when they were dating, I was never able to look at them together and not feel a soul-crushing level of jealousy. It’s why any time she was in Seaside Point last summer, I worked overtime, avoiding going anywhere but work and home.

The first summer they were together was torture enough. I couldn’t put myself through it a second time.

“I can pay rent through September upfront. All four months.”

I hesitate then because that kind of money upfront could shut Paul up, if only for a bit, while I get the rest of the money without him breathing down my neck.

But before I get ahead of myself, I remember Claire is flighty and irresponsible, just like Paul. Last night was proof enough of that. I doubt she has that kind of money just waiting around. “That’s almost six grand, Claire.”

Her eyes go wide, a clear hint of hope and excitement filling them.

“I’m good for it! We can go to the bank right now. I’ll get a check for you. Or cash, whatever you want. Under the table, official, I don’t care. Whatever you want. I just need a place to stay for the summer.”

“How do you have six grand just sitting around?”

She tips her head to the side, reading me, then smiles.

“Stripping. How do you think?”

My head jerks back, eyes going wide with shock, not because there’s anything wrong with being a stripper, but because I can’t imagineClairebeing a stripper.

That voice in my head that was having highly inappropriate dreams last night pipes up.But she’d definitely do a damn good job.I shake my head, dislodging that voice before she laughs, crossing her arms over her chest.

“God, you should see your face. I forgot how uptight you are.”

“I am not uptight,” I lie, glaring when she rolls her eyes.

“You’ve been uptight since the first time I met you.”

“You were hammered, and you were nineteen. I was probably annoyed that Grant and I had to babysit you and June.”

“So you’re telling me you remember meeting me, huh?”

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