Page 47 of Valentine's Day Proposal

I don’t give much thought to his money because he could be a pauper and I would still love him. Unlike Randy and my sister Kayla, dollar signs and padded bank accounts never impressed me. I’m more interested in someone’s character than what they can afford to buy. I’d rather live with the love of my life in a tiny apartment and be happy than with a wealthy jerk in a mansion and be miserable.

There’s a knock at the door and I hop off my bed and quickly make my way through my studio apartment. It costs an arm and a leg to live in New York City, so I have a tiny place, but I’ve made it cozy and welcoming. I've decorated it with lots of bright colors and have throw pillows, rugs, pictures and candles to perk up the plain white walls and worn wooden floor.

When I open the door, I’m surprised to see my sister Kayla. At 25, she’s a few years younger than me and we aren’t overly close. But she’s going to be the aunt of our baby so I’m hoping she will grow up a little more. Kayla isn’t very responsible, especially when it comes to money, and she can be very immature. She likes to “Keep Up with the Joneses” and because she thinks she needs all kinds of expensive things, she’s in some massive credit card debt.

I’m definitely simpler and my tastes aren’t nearly as extravagant as hers. And even though she’s a little superficial and too worried about what designer is on her clothing labels, I love her. She and I are both on the same page when it comes to disliking Randy and that bonds us more than anything else.

“Hey, sis,” she exclaims and waltzes inside. We both have the same dark hair and eyes, but Kayla goes to the salon every few weeks and gets caramel highlights. Mine, on the other hand, is a dark chestnut, almost a perfect match to my chocolate-colored eyes.

Kayla is dressed up like she’s going to a garden party at the ladies’ luncheon, and I glance down and look at my plain t-shirt and leggings. Her face is all made up and I barely managed to put on mascara and tinted lotion today. In my defense, though, I did have the day off work.

Oh, who am I kidding?I’m much more about easy, casual and comfortable than spending two hours getting ready before I step outside. And Tanner doesn’t seem to mind that I’m not a fashion icon in any way, shape or form.

“Hi, Kayla,” I say and close the door behind her. “What’s up?”

“Oh, you know,” she says and waves a perfectly manicured hand through the air. “I was just passing by and thought I’d stop in to say hi to my favorite person.”

She’s laying it on a little thick and I’m instantly suspicious and wonder what she wants. “Want anything to drink?” I ask and she shakes her head.

We go sit down on the couch and she eyes my apartment critically. “This place is so small, Addie. I don’t know how you don’t die of claustrophobia.”

“First, you can’t die from claustrophobia and second, it costs an arm and a leg to live in the city. This is all I can afford right now.”

She shifts, crossing her legs. “What about your boyfriend?”

I arch a brow. “What about him?”

She scrunches her face up. “He’s a freaking billionaire and you’re living in this shoe box like a poverty-stricken bum. Why doesn’t he set you up in some swank penthouse somewhere uptown?”

Her words make me bristle. I never discuss money with Tanner. Sure, he has a lot of it, and I have barely any. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to take advantage of him. “First of all, it’s his money not mine,” I remind her tartly. “And second, he isn’t a billionaire– that’s his father. Besides, I don’t want some sugar daddy. I work hard, make my own money and pay my own bills. It’s called being independent.” Something Kayla knows nothing about.

“Clearly,” she mumbles under her breath.

“At least I have a place in the city. You’re still living out in South Grove.”

My dig hits deep. I know Kayla wants to leave our hometown and move into the city, but she can’t afford it.

“I’m working on it,” she snaps. “Hopefully, I’ll have a nice place here soon enough.” Kayla quickly composes herself. “I’m sorry. I didn’t come over here to criticize you. You’re doing as well as you can on the meagre salary you make. This place is really…cozy,” she finally forces out, looking around, giving me the exact opposite impression of what she says.

I can tell– she hates it. But it’s my place and no one can tell me what to do. I can come and go as I please and decorate however I like. Despite her being so critical, I have the freedom to do as I like.

And she doesn’t.

I suppress a sigh and wonder what she wants. Kayla always has an agenda and I’m sure this time is no different than any other. “What do you need, Kayla?” I ask, cutting right to the chase.

She wrings her hands and offers me a weak smile. “That obvious, huh?”

“Just a bit.”

“Well, I was wondering if you could help me out,” she begins, voice a little hesitant. “Just a little favor and I swear I’ll pay you back as soon as I can,” she hurriedly adds.

A frown creases my brow. “You want to borrow money? What money? You just said how meagre my salary is and what a shitbox I live in,” I remind her.

Kayla makes a frustrated sound. “I know you don’t have it, but what about Tanner? Okay, so maybe he doesn’t have billions. But he most certainly has millions.”

“You want me to ask Tanner to loan you money?” I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Is she crazy? Just when I think she can’t be any more self-absorbed than she is, she convinces me otherwise.

“I would never ask, but the credit card companies are breathing down my neck. They call me all day, every day, and I don’t know what to do anymore. It’s become too much, Addie. I need help.”

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