She shrugs, unmoved. “Who cares? Use his guilt. Take what you want from him, then never see the guy again.”
She’s so cold. And hell, I love her for it.
But I can’t manage to pull up that icy barrier like she does.
“I don’t like using people.”
Her lip curls in the hint of a sneer. “This is about Shawn and the briefcase of money he gave you, isn’t it?”
“It wasn’t a briefcase. It was a check.” I bet the bank teller saw the amount deposited in my account and immediately told their boss I’d taken up money laundering. “And it’s not about that. I mean, not directly.” I shift in my seat and wonder if I can make the lopsided look work. “I’m already in so much debt. This feels like one more thing.”
“Only he isn’t asking you to pay him back.” She jabs my shoulder with a finger. Sometimes Darla’s love hurts. “You don’t owe the hot pilot anything.”
“I don’t know how I feel about everyone calling him that,” I grumble. “So, what? I should just take his charity?”
“You saycharitylike it makes you inferior if you need it. FYI, this world is fucked up. If someone is offering you shit, then take it.” Darla glares at me in the mirror. “Didn’t your mom use the food pantry sometimes when you were growing up? Would you rather she have scoffed at the idea of charity and let you go hungry?”
“No,” I mutter.
Darla leans in, her eyes hard. “Pride is pointless if you’re just fucking yourself over.”
“It’s not pride,” I insist.
Right?I’m not thinking about turning down George because I’m too proud for his help.
At least I don’t think I am.
“Billy,” Darla calls out to her brother. “Tell Beth I’m right, and she should listen to me.”
He doesn’t bother to lift his stare from the screen of his phone as he responds. “Darla is wrong, and you should never believe a thing she says.”
“See?” Darla waves toward the kitchen. “Billy agrees with me one hundred percent.”
“I’m not sure we heard the same thing.”
“Bunsen is offering you lessons for free because he’s got plenty of money, but you’re not going to take them because you can’t pay him. Even though he doesn’t need you to pay him. Sounds like pride to me.” She flicks the longer hair on the left side of my head, then releases a dramatic sigh. “Maybe you’re looking at this the wrong way.”
“What do you mean?”
“What if you get your pilot’s license and then use it to help people?” She tugs on my hair, but the gesture is gentle. “Don’t think about paying back Bunsen. Think about passing on the favor. Paying it forward.”
Interesting. I mull over the idea. I’m not sure what charity work is available for pilots, but there’s got to be something.
“That’s actually a really good idea.”
Her reflection smirks. “I’m flattered by your use of ‘actually.’ ”
“Seriously, Darla. That would make me feel so much better about taking him up on the offer.”
Better about the lack of money exchange.
Not about the fact that George is part of BBN. And that I wouldn’t mind seeing his shirt accidentally get sucked out the window while we’re in the air so he has to fly the Cessna bare-chested.
Unaware of my naughty thoughts, Darla wrinkles her nose.
“You’re such a do-gooder. It’s gross. Don’t let it rub off on me.”
“You’re the one who came up with the idea.”
