Page 330 of The First Time

---

He answers immediately. "Yes." His voice is certain. Sure.

I force myself to stare back into his eyes. They're sincere. They're worried even.

I mean something to him.

I just don't know how much.

I fish the check from my purse. "Your sister thinks… well, I'm not sure what she thinks. But she wants me to go away." I unfold the check.

He reads it. "You want more?"

"No, I…"

"We have a deal, Kat. If it's not enough anymore—"

"This isn't about money." I squeeze the check with my thumb and forefinger. "I'll tear it in half right now if I have to."

His lip corners turn down. "You're showing off a check for a hundred grand. What else could it be about?"

Love. "Don't you care that your sister wants me to go away?"

"She's trying to protect me. In her way." His gaze shifts to the window. "She's not taking the divorce well. You don't need to like her, but don't take it personally."

"Don't take go-away money personally?"

"It's more than she can afford. She must think you're valuable to me."

"Is everything a number to you?"

He arches a brow.

"Would I be less valuable if she'd offered me fifty grand?"

"That isn't what I mean."

"No? It sounds like it."

"If you want more money—"

"I don't."

"Then why tell me?"

"I trust you." My toes tap together. "You've been honest with me. But…"

"But?"

"Stop offering me more money. I don't want any more of your money."

"Fine." His voice is short. Frustrated.

"I want to talk about this. Like adults." I go to tear the check in half but my fingers won't cooperate. "You can't buy me. Your sister can't buy me. I'm not for sale."

I do it again.

This time, I manage a tiny rip.

I don't want Fiona's money.

---