Page 139 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol 4
"Thanks."
I hurried into the bathroom and closed the door behind me. My reflection gave it all away. My makeup was smudged and my hair was a mess. I splashed water on my face and pulled my toothbrush out of my purse. I needed to be more careful next time. Tyler was already driving me across the country. I didn't need him to give me any more handouts. Maybe I'd offer to pay for breakfast just to prove I had money. That was a solid idea. I flushed the toilet and washed my hands. I applied a little makeup and then made my way out of the restroom.
"Have a good day, ma'am," the man at the front desk said.
"You too." I made my way back outside.
Tyler was leaning against his car with his hands in his pockets. He looked up at me as I approached. "You could have told me." He pushed himself off the car and stared at me. There was something accusatory in his gaze. He had no right to accuse me of something he knew nothing about.
"Told you what?" I climbed into the car and closed the door before I could hear his response.
He sat down in the driver's seat, but didn't start the car.
"I really don't know what you're talking about," I said.
"Hailey..."
"Look, I'm starving. Let's go get something to eat. I'm paying."
"I would have paid for your room."
"Jesus, Tyler, get over yourself. I'm not asking for your help, okay? I'm not a charity case. Please can we just go eat?" I bit the inside of my cheek. I didn't mean to snap at him. But I didn't need anything from him. I didn't need anything from anybody. And it was starting to eat away at me that I was on my way to California to beg for money. I wasn't a beggar. This wasn't me.
He didn't look at me as he started the ignition.
I turned away from him and pulled my feet up onto the seat as I wrapped my arms around my shins. The last thing I needed was some beautiful stranger judging my choices. I already felt guilty enough for leaving my dad.
He let me silently fume as he drove back toward the highway. He pulled over to a diner near the end of the road.
"Is this okay?" he asked gently.
"Yeah, this is great."
He got out of the car before I could say anything else. I scurried out behind him. He held the door of the restaurant open for me. I tried to ignore the fact that no one had done that for me in years. It's not like this was a date. He was basically my chauffeur for the next few days, nothing more.
"Table for two?" the woman asked. She seemed bored out of her mind. The diner looked like it hadn't had its decor updated since the 60's. The floor was even black and white checkered. I was surprised the waitresses weren't rolling around on roller skates.
"Yes," I said cheerily.
She looked up at me like she was annoyed by my positive attitude. "Right this way." She grabbed two menus and showed us to a table. "Emery will be right with you."
I slid into the booth and Tyler slid into the seat across from me. He picked up his menu and scanned over the options.
Yesterday I felt like there was this flirtatious vibe between us. Today, not so much. I wanted to go back to that. I didn't want to drive across the country with someone who didn't even feel comfortable looking at me.
The waitress walked over. She was young, probably in high school, and her eyes were glued on Tyler like she had never seen anyone sexier in her life.
I rolled my eyes.
"Hi, I'm Emery and I'll be taking care of you today. Can I start you off with something to drink?"
"I'm ready to order if you are," Tyler said to me.
"Sure."
"Ladies first," he said.
"Could I just have an omelet with spinach and Swiss cheese. And a water."
