“I think I know what you want,” I say, lowering my volume even more. “You’re pretty hard up by now, I would imagine.”
He brings his lips next to my ear, brushing his soft mouth against my skin. “Trust me, I want that very, very badly. More than you know.” He straightens. “I also like your company, though. I mean it.”
My heart thumps. Yikes. We’re veering much too close to real emotion for my liking, and I can’t reciprocate. I just can’t.
I glance at my watch. “You have to go,” I tell him.
He startles. “Shit. Yeah, you’re right.” He steps away from me, but his lingering look pins me. “I’ll see you this week.”
I salute him. God, I’m such a dork. “For sure,” I say. Then I turn to go without looking back.
We aren’t around each other much for the next few days, despite being at work together. I get a box in the mail when Iget home one day. I didn’t order anything, so I’m not sure what it could be.
I tear into the packaging. There’s a little velvet bag with a gold bracelet in it. I pull it out and study it, and my heart shifts in my chest. It’s exactly like the one I said I liked, the one my patient was wearing. I know they’re pricey—I’ve looked at them online before.
I drop it on the counter like it might singe my skin. Then, thinking better of it, I pick it up and slide it on. It looks gorgeous on my wrist. Damn him.
Me
Thank you for the bracelet
Me
You’re still not forgiven.
Grant
You’re welcome. And I know.
Grant
I really like giving you whatever you want.
Should his spending move the needle for me? I’d like to say no, but I would be lying. I’m sure that’s shallow, but growing up the way I did made luxury items seem like a dream I would never have access to. Besides that, it’s not like Grant’s a billionaire, and even if his grandfather left him some money it wouldn’t be enough for him to have unlimited funds. The things he’s done—the thousands of dollars—wouldn’t bemeaningless for him.
Me
What are you doing this evening?
Grant
I’m home now, and I’m going to crash soon. I’m running on a criminal sleep deficit here.
Me
Gotcha. I’ll leave you to it then
Grant
No, that’s okay. I like talking to you. What have you been doing?
Me
Hanging with my friend Maria
Grant
I suppose it’s karma that you have this vibrant social life and I’m a sad, lonely resident. I even have a roommate and I still feel like I’m alone too much.
