Page 57 of Slumming It
The thought was stupidly tempting. And yet, his words from earlier echoed in my mind.Baby, haven't you heard? Everything's for sale.
In front of me, he was still holding the cash.
AndIwas holding my breath. I hadn't realized it until this very moment. Now I let out the breath slowly as I recalled his behavior from yesterday.
It wasn't only that he'd called my parents trash. He'd also left me stranded on the side of the road.
In shorts and high heels.
With no coat.
What kind of monster did that?
I heard myself say, "Technically, you owe me two apologies."
With a hint of amusement, he replied, "Oh, yeah?"
I didn't share his apparent mirth. "Yes, in fact. One for the insult to my parents and another for leaving me stranded."
"Stranded, huh?" He gave a dismissive chuckle. "You got back alright."
"Oh, yeah? Well, Icould'vefrozen to death."
He shrugged. "Nope."
His blasé attitude grated. "What do you mean, nope?"
"I saw the temp. It was twenty above."
"But so what? It was still cold. And I was wearing those stupid shorts."
When he replied with nothing but another shrug, I persisted, "And for allyouknow, I could've been picked up by some psycho."
"Which is why," he said, "you should've kept your ass in the seat."
That was so easy forhimto say. He didn't love anyone the way I loved my family. "I couldn’t – not after you insulted my parents."
"You're wrong," he said with no trace of shame. "You could've. And you should've. Nobody forced you out."
"Well, that's rich," I said, thinking of Cassandra Bloom. "But I guess you're used to kicking girls out of your car."
His amusement vanished. "I'm not. But if you're bucking for an apology, forget it."
"Twoapologies," I corrected.
"Two thousand," he countered.
I blinked. "What?"
In reply, he peeled off ten more bills and added it to the others.
Holy crap.My head was reeling. "So…a thousand per apology?"
"No." His voice hardened. "Two thousand foroneapology."
I was still staring at the cash.Groceries, utility bills, more money for the down payment.Absently, I mumbled, "Sorry, what?"
"Youleft the vehicle, not me."
