Page 95 of Slumming It
"Because I'll pay you to." I hadn't planned to say it, but now that it was out there, I saw no reason to take it back.
Emily was still staring. "But whywouldyou?"
"Because I want to."It was a simple as that.
"And…?"
And what?"Because I can afford it. It's not a big deal."
Judging from the look on Emily's face, it was a big deal to her – and not in a good way. "And what happens when you leave town?"
It was another good question, and once again, I didn't have a good answer. Like some kind of dumb-ass, I asked, "What do you mean?"
"I might be working there for another year. Are you gonna pay me for twelve whole months?"
Nowthatwas easy. "Sure, why not?" Hell, I could pay her fortenyears and not break a sweat. The point was, money wasn't the issue.
Emily crossed her arms. "Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why would you do that?"
"Because it's not safe."
"So?"
What the hell?"So you admit it's not safe?"
She sighed. "That's not what I meant. I just meant, why would it matter?"
I replied with a shrug that told both of us exactly nothing.
And now, she was looking a little ticked off. "Do I need to remind you that just two days ago, you dropped me off in the middle of nowhere?"
Fuck.I didn't want to hear it, and not only because I'd paid her to forget. I wasn't happy with what I'd done, and I was growing less happy the longer I got to know her. But hell if I'd admit it. "Yeah, so?"
"So I'm just saying, you can't betooconcerned for my safety."
"That was then. This is now."
"Why?" she demanded as I stopped at the next red light. "Is it because we had sex?"
For someone who'd been so coy this morning while letting me know – as if I wouldn't have discovered it on my own – that she wasn't a virgin, she was being surprisingly blunt.
"That's one of the reasons," I admitted.
"And theotherreasons?"
I didn't get why she was angry. Yeah, maybe I was pushing some boundaries, but that didn't mean I wasn't right. I was still considering her question when she gave a little gasp. "Oh, my God. I don't believe it."
"Believe what?"
She pointed off to our right. "That's my sister's boyfriend. And look who he's with."
Chapter 37
Reese
