Page 254 of The First Time
"I quit."
"What?" She stares back at me. "Can we—"
"Yeah. I arranged something. I can't explain. But trust me, it's good."
"And it has something to do with your sudden interest in makeup? And the limo that was waiting the other day? Why was there a limo?"
"I'm dating someone with money."
"Oh."
"What do you mean 'oh'?"
My sister stares back at me with a knowing expression. "You have a sugar daddy. Right on. It's about time, Kat. You deserve a break."
"No. It's not like that." Okay, it's not unlike that. "We're serious." About getting married. Not about loving each other.
"Okay, sure. That's why you didn't come home the other night. And why you had that satisfied, just fucked expression when I got home from school the next day."
"I plead the fifth."
"Who's Mr. Rich Guy?"
"A guy I met at work."
"Oh my God, that's soPretty Woman."
"She's a prostitute!"
"Whatever. It's still romantic. You have a picture?"
No. We should have pictures. Everyone takes selfies nowadays. Or at least vacation photos. "You know what he looks like."
"He's famous?"
"Sort of. He's…" I fold my arms. "Don't freak out, okay?"
"I never freak out."
That's true. But still… this news is weird. Ridiculous. I take a deep breath and exhale slowly. "He's Blake Sterling."
Lizzy's eyes go wide. "Sterling Tech Blake Sterling?"
"Yeah."
"Oh my God. He's a legend. He's amazing. Have you seen any of his code? Have you been to the office? Tell me you'll take me to the office!!!"
"I can probably arrange that."
Lizzy grabs my wrists. She squeals. "You're amazing. Oh my God." Her eyes go to my neck. "That hickey. That's from Blake Sterling."
"It's…" I adjust my hair so it's covering said hickey. "It's nothing."
Lizzy laughs. "I'm glad you're finally dating. You've been different the last week. Happier."
"Yeah?"
"Satisfied." She laughs. "Is there some reason why he bought you all those new clothes?"
