“Fifty grand," I said, turning to look at her.
Her eyes cut to mine. "What?"
"Come on vacation with me, we plan a break up afterwards, and I will pay you fifty thousand dollars. That has to be enough to pay your startup costs, right?”
Her face was blank, I couldn't tell what she was thinking.
"Why?" she asked.
"Why not?" I shot back.
This time when she looked at me, that hazel gaze felt like it was cutting through me. "A real answer, or the answer is no, no matter how much money you offer me."
I flopped back into my seat. The truth? What even was it?
"I just want to do my own thing, you know?" I started. "I want them off my back. Want them to let me live my life the way I want. If I look like I at least tried their way, I'll get a bit of reprieve."
I stared out the windshield. I hadn't been that honest or raw with anyone in a long time, but it felt sort of pleasant to get off my chest. And it made think about the even deeper reason. I wasn’t cut out to live like they did. To have a family, a normal job, ball games on the weekends or whatever they did. That wasn’t in the cards for me I was sure.
When I finally looked to Juniper, she was deep in thought, chewing on her lip. "Just the vacation, and then it's over?" she asked.
"Yes. Then it's all over."
"And all our same rules apply?"
"Yes."
She sighed a heavy breath and it felt like I was on the edge of a cliff, waiting for her response.
"Fine," she said at last.
“Really?" I asked, feeling my tight chest unfurl.
"Really. With that money we can easily start up PlanD.”
"We leave next week," I told her. "I'll come to pick you up on Friday for the drive up."
"Fine. Be sure to send the rest of the money for tonight."
I smirked. She was collected one minute, and fiery the next. "Will do."
She got out of my car and I watched as she went inside, shutting the door behind her. I leaned back against my seat, letting the cool leather calm my nerves. This was probably the most insane idea I'd ever had, but if it worked, it could mean going back to my normal life.
I drove back to my apartment, ready to flop onto my bed and forget today happened. Forget I now had agirlfriend.If only for a little while.
Normally when something like this happened, this level of stress, I would go out. I would find a club, a few drinks, a hook up. It was how I dealt with these things, but I couldn’t do that. Not only did I not want to get caught, but I wouldn’t disrespect Juniper, even if it was fake. That was low, even for me.
Once I made it upstairs, I quickly showered then hopped in my bed. As I laid there, I thought about Juniper. I wasn't sure why she drifted into my thoughts, but she wouldn't leave. Not when I tried to watch TV to distract myself. Not when I read over reports for work on Monday.
Not even when I finally found sleep.
Juniper
I clicked my suitcase closed,hoping I had everything I could need. If I didn't, I would be shocked.
The last two weeks went by mundanely, but somehow, also so out of my regular. Ellery coming into the shop hadn't stopped the way I hoped. Not only did he come in every day, but he always stopped to ask me questions.
"What's your favorite color?" he asked the first time after dinner.
