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“I just wanted to give you this,” I say, with a closed-lipped smile. Reaching into my back pocket, I pull out a white envelope.
The heat in my body doubles when our fingers brush.
“What is it?”
I don’t answer. Instead, I watch as understanding dawns on her face.
“Why would you give me money?”
“For looking after Riley.”
Shelby’s head rears back, as if I struck her. A second later, she thrusts the envelope back toward me.
“You don’t need to pay me for that. I love watching her. She’s my buddy.”
My heart warms at her words. “I know.” I smile. “But I also know that you’ve been taking fewer shifts at the coffee shop, and you need money. I don’t see why you can’t have both.”
Ignoring the money still held out toward me, I take a step back. “What time are you coming over tonight?”
“Leonard,” Shelby grumbles.
I chuckle at her tone.
“Shelby,” I match it.
Closing her eyes, my girl gives a long sigh. “It doesn’t feel right to take a wage. Not if I’m going to move in.”
“Well, you will,” I tell her.
I watch as she overthinks. “How much is rent?”
Anger fills me at her words. I take a large step, bringing myself even closer to her than before. “If you think I’m going to let you pay for anything in that house, you are sadly mistaken.”
Shelby blinks, her neck strained as she looks up at me.
“The only thing you have to worry about is helping me raise Riley. I want her happy and healthy.”
With a few siblings,I silently add.
“No.” She shakes her head, wiggling the enclosed money.
I blink at her.
“What do you mean, no?”
Something in my tone makes her look up from her extended hand. Disbelief maybe.
“Oh.” Her mouth twitches. “No, thank you?” The uncertainty in her voice makes it sound like a question.
“You will take the money, Shelby.”
“It feels wrong,” she mumbles.
I frown at her words.
“I’d live with you for free, no bills, no rent, and you’d pay me? What’s the catch?”
“No catch.” I smirk. “You’ll also leave your coffee shop job whenever you’re ready. I’ll make sure that you have more than enough money.”
