He’s a problem. Stellan’s much too rich and powerful. This whole bizarre blackmail courtship game makes zero sense. I feel like I’m caught in a trap and my only option is to gnaw my own leg off to escape.
True to his word, Stellan sticks around. I spend the next couple of hours ignoring him. The diner isn’t very busy and the minutes drag past. Finally, I tell Pam I’m taking my fifteen, drop my apron in the back near my locker, and march out to slide into the booth across from Stellan.
Pam wordlessly comes over, pours me some coffee, and walks off.
I stare at Stellan. He looks back with an amused smile. This man’s confidence is never rattled. Even when he has to know how much I want to kick him right in the smug little teeth.
“How’s a guy with the resources to buy an entire apartment building have the time to sit around in a dump like this?”
Stellan laughs. He turns his phone screen down and slides it away from him. I like that gesture. He’s trying to be present.
“I’m my own boss.”
“Seems strange though. Not sure what you’re getting out of it.”
“Time spent near you isn’t enough?”
“I’m not that interesting.”
“I disagree.”
“Why are you helping everyone back at the building?”
He tilts his head to the side questioningly. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“The improvements. Painting, railings, carpet, laundry, all that stuff.”
“The place is a piece of shit. I’m making it better.”
“But why? You lowered everyone’s rent. Who the hell does that?”
He takes a sip of his coffee and places it back down carefully. “Did you stop to consider that maybe the building isn’t about profit?”
“Yes, obviously I thought about that, but that only makes me wonder what the hell it’s really about.”
“You know what?” He stares at me, smile vanished. The intensity in his stare sends a whirlpool in my belly. I have to look away. “Have dinner with me.”
“If I do, will you raise the rent? You’ll have gotten what you wanted.”
“I don’t care about the building.”
“You’re dumping money into it, though.”
He sounds slightly frustrated, which is a surprise. “That’s all for you.”
I sit back. My hands shake when I lift the coffee mug to my lips. It’s hot, but I don’t care. I need the caffeine, and the heat helps wake me up.
All for me?
But that makes no sense.
“You’re trying to ruin my life. Don’t pretend like you’re fixing the building for me.”
“I’m trying to get you to have dinner with me. If I happen to help people in the process, what’s it matter?”
“Now you pretend like you actually are trying to do something good.”
“Whether I’m trying or not isn’t important. All that matters is the outcome of my actions.” He leans in closer. “Have dinner with me, Kira. Don’t make me raise your rent.”
