Page 60 of One Good Crash
And I did. Just last night, I'd heard him telling his brother pretty much the same thing. But sometimes, what people thought and what they said were two very different things.
Obviously, he thoughtsomethingwas going on, or he wouldn't be making such an offer.
His voice, deadly serious, interrupted my thoughts. "In case it wasn't clear, that's not part of the job description."
"Sorry, what?"
His jaw tightened. "I'm not hiring you for a good time."
Now, I couldn't help but cringe. Apparently, my statement had come out all wrong.But how to explain?Everything was so complicated, and my thoughts were a jumbled mess.
His gaze bored to mine. "And, as long as we're tossing our cards on the table, I don't pay for it."
It.
Meaning sex of course.
No doubt, hedidn'tpay for it. A guy like that? I recalled what my mom had said just this morning. She'd be willing to payhim. And she never paid for anything.
But there was no way on Earth I'd be sharing that little nugget.
Looking to make a point, I repeated something he'd said to me. "I never said you did."
When his only response was a long silent look, I felt compelled to explain. "I mean, look at you. I bet you've got girls lined up. Probably they'd payyou,I mean, like if you actually needed the money."
Damn it.I hadn't meant to say any of that. Going for a recovery, I added, "Not that I think you're some kind of gigolo."
The corners of his mouth lifted. "Good to know."
I sighed. "Look, I know I'm making an idiot of myself. It's just that your offer caught me off guard. I mean, you don't even know my last name, much less my qualifications. So, I've gotta ask, why would you want to hire me?"
"I've got my reasons."
"Yeah, and that's exactly what I'm worried about. I don't want a job out of pity." I hesitated. "Or because you think I'll do something worse if I don’t get an 'honest' job."
Let's get one thing straight," he said. "Whatever you think I believe, you're wrong."
I muttered, "And I'm not homeless either."
He gave me a dubious look. "Alright."
Obviously, he didn't believe me. And in truth, I didn't quite believe myself.
I started to squirm under his penetrating gaze. Apparently, it wasn't lost on either of us that last night, I'd been only a few steps away from sleeping in the gutter.
I cleared my throat. "I was just waiting for a ride, that's all."
He looked far from convinced. "From your roommate."
"Right."
"Who liveswhere?"
"What?"
"Wheredoes she live?"
I glanced away. "Um, Nashville, actually."
