Page 17 of One Hell of a Deal

And I want to make sure she gets her pie too.

Chapter Fifteen: Daphne

I was right. It was a lot of fun on the bed. But it was also something I didn’t anticipate: Sweet and oddly romantic. Afterwards, as we lay in each other's arms, a panic started growing within me that everything would become awkward anduncomfortable between us. But I was pleasantly surprised when the next morning, the only change in our dynamic was that we somehow seemed closer.

We should be back home in a couple of hours. I’m not necessarily looking forward to being back in the apartment all week, but at least I have Max. I wonder if I am falling in love with him. That’s not something I ever dreamed I would be capable of. I must be getting ahead of myself, though. I doubt anyone could fall in love so quickly.

Everything I know about the human male wouldn’t point to him being in love with me either. The men I have met at the crossroads have been selfish, egomaniacs who care very much about sex and success, but not more than that. He doesn’t seem like them, though. He seems like an elevated kind of man.

Glancing over at him, he looks so relaxed, and I smile. With everything he has done to help me, at least giving him my body looks like it took some of his stress away. The last thing he deserves is to be stressed out and lonely. He’s too good for that. I wish there were a way that I could make his life better.

A wonderful idea runs through my brain, and before I take time to sort through it, I blurt it out.

“What if I just move in with you long term. I could take care of you.” I hold my breath as I wait for him to answer.

His brow furrows and he cocks his head at me. I scramble to explain. “Not that you need taking care of. It seems like it makes sense with you working so much, and me having no skills or money, I can keep the apartment clean and make dinner for you, and we could do stuff together on the weekends, you know?”

My heart pounds for several seconds as his eyes shift between the road and my face. He finally clears his throat. “Is that what last night was about? You thought that would be a way for me to let you stay?”

Ouch.

I can’t believe that’s what he thinks, but at the same time, I don’t blame him for being suspicious. It was foolish of me to think our evening together felt special to him, too.

My eyes are heavy and starting to pool, so I blink several times to try to dry them up before tears fall. I don’t want his pity.

I don’t know if I should be honest with him or let him think the way he does. I decide on a half-truth. “Not at all. I just thought it may be a practical arrangement for both of us. We get along well together, and I like cooking for you, too.”

He smiles, which confuses me. “Thankfully, your cooking has improved quickly.”

“Thank you,” I say, feeling hopeful again. “I was thinking I could take a course on it. Maybe get a job in a restaurant. I enjoy cooking. It makes me feel useful and creative at the same time. What more could a human need?”

He nods, but the mood in the car is strained. He’s biting his cheek and seems lost in his thoughts. I wish I had never said anything. He probably wants me to leave as soon as possible now.

I stare out the window and watch the trees blur as we pass. I think it's best to keep my mouth shut for a while, but I wish he would saysomething. I never meant to disappoint him.

“I think I owe you an apology,” he blurts, and I sit up and turn towards him, shaking my head.

“You don’t owe me anything…

“Yes, I really do,” he interrupts, and I snap my mouth shut. “My reaction was a bit harsh. The thing is, last night was unexpected, and honestly, the whole thing threw me off a bit.”

“I’m sorry,” I say, as my stomach drops. “I thought it was…

“It was amazing,” he interrupts again, and now I am glued to his every word. “I just had this idea of what our arrangement looks like, and then, everything changed. It’s a lot to process. Plus, I’ve never been good with feelings, if I’m being completely honest.”

“What do you mean? Do you have feelings for me?”

His eyes shift between me and the road again, and his grip on the wheel is so tight I think his fingers might break. “I never meant to. But yes, I guess you could say that.”

“Wow,” I say softly. “I was worried it was all one-sided.”

“It’s not,” he says flatly. “But let’s not get carried away. Feelings come and go. And our situation is less than typical. We can't forget that.”

“You’re right,” I say with a nod. “I should not have suggested something so drastic.”

“It’s not that drastic.”

A shiver of excitement courses through my chest, but I try to stay calm. “What are you saying?”

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