Page 40 of Show Me How
Millie doesn’t respond to my interruption the same way. Instead of smiling at me, she frowns, her lip getting sucked into her mouth. The heat on her cheeks isn’t the kind I enjoy. Quite the opposite, really.
She stays silent, her heeled foot tapping the old floors as she watches Shelly swipe her card through the machine and pass it over to her. There’s a shake to her hand when she pushes the buttons on the machine and waits a few seconds.
Two low beeps on the machine follow.
Millie gulps and lowers it to the counter. I watch Shelly slowly pick the machine up and put it away. There’s no movement from Millie. Not even a forced laugh or straightening of her shoulders.
“What’s going on?” I ask, unable to stop myself from joining them.
The lack of acknowledgment from Millie is concerning.
“Just a technical difficulty, Shade. My machine is probably just out of whack. I’ll bring it home with me tonight and see if it’s in need of an update,” Shelly says.
Millie shakes her head, suddenly alert. “I can’t afford to stay here.”
“Yeah, funny joke,” I say with a snort.
“I’m not joking around. This isn’t funny to me.”
I sober up, turning to face her completely. The way she’s shrunk into herself is similar to when I first met her. Her shell is strong, but I’m stronger.
“You’re working for me now. Just put her stay on my card, Shelly,” I say easily.
Millie’s body snaps straight, her eyes narrowing on me. “No, she’s absolutely not doing that.”
“Why not? Consider it a living allowance. I need a receptionist, and there’s nobody in Oak Point wanting to take your place.”
“That’s not why you’re doing this, and you know it.”
The corner of my mouth twitches. “And why would I be doing it, then? What kind of guy do you think I am, princess?”
“I’m not being a freeloader. That’s not whoIwant to be here,” she snaps, not giving me a real answer.
“You’re not being a freeloader. You work for me.”
“There’s no need to argue tonight. I’d never let anyone not have a place to stay at night,” Shelly interrupts.
I already knew that, but I know that hearing it relaxes Millie slightly. Her anger slips for a brief moment, making room for a thankful gaze shared between them. Then, she’s glaring at me, making it hard not to laugh at how unscary she is, even pissed off.
“You could also stay at the studio instead. Would that be better for you?” I ask.
Millie pauses, shock blowing across her features. “Are you really making jokes right now?”
“I’m not joking.”
Fuck, I wish I were. I’m such a blabbermouth. She’s not going to stay at my place, and I wouldn’t want her to anyway.
“And I’m not moving in with you.”
“Shit, Millie, I’m not asking you to move in. I’m offering you a room to crash if you refuse to let me help you stay here. That’s all.”
Shaking her head, she looks to Shelly. “I’m sorry about all of this. I’ll head in here tomorrow morning so we can talk inprivate.”
“Alright. Have a good night, you two,” Shelly replies, eyeing me curiously.
I shrug and toss her a wink before waiting for Millie to head out. She huffs, looking at me briefly while passing by. I follow, keeping a step behind her the entire way outside.
“What cabin is yours? I’m fucking starving,” I say once we’ve reached our parked cars.
