“Are we going to sign a contract saying that?”
“No.”
I throw up my hands. “I’ve learned many lessons since I got divorced. Contracts are one of them.”
“You ex-husband, Sergei? He’ll close your hair salon, and he’s already late making payments on the house, so you’ll lose the money you planned to cover the lawyer fees from the sale of that.”
“The house is in Chi-chi’s name, so it’s fine.”
“It won’t be for long if he can’t make payments.”
Jesus. “How do you know all this?”
He tosses me my phone.
“Check your messages.”
I do. My inbox was full. There’s none pending. “You listened to my messages?”
He nods.
“All of them?”
“Hundred and twenty-seven.” He pauses. “On 4x speed.”
“Where was I while you did this?”
He hooks a thumb behind him. “I showered alone.”
“You shouldn’t have done that.”
“Next time, I’ll invite you to join me.”
I blink. My brain conjures images of me and this man in the shower. It’s a merry-go-round of sexy stuff in my head. My vagina is thinking. “That’s not what I meant.”
“I know, but I couldn’t help it. You blush prettily.”
“I don’t blush.” I’m sure I’m blushing right now. I press my palms against my cheeks, hoping that will stop the silly thing from happening.
He must sense my discomfort since he turns toward the TV. “Consider my offer. Nobody will ever find out we had a deal, and I swear on my mother’s grave, I’ll never ask for any of it back.”
“Fine. Where’s the money?”
“In my bag.”
I look around and find the bag near the couch. I walk over there, ignoring his protest. His ankle means he shouldn’t be walking. I’m woman enough to buy my own flowers and carry my own bag. His bag. Whatever.
“This thing’s heavy.” I drag it across the floor. The handle slips from my hand, and I drop it. It thuds to the floor.
“Careful,” he snaps.
“Sorry. Sorry.” I pick it up again and drag it behind me. “This thing needs wheels.”
The man looks pale, as if all the blood drained from his cheeks. Once I reach him, I struggle to lift the bag onto the counter. He lifts it effortlessly. Well, those biceps aren’t just for show, I guess.
“Don’t touch my bag again.”
“I wasn’t going to snoop in it.”
