I shook my head. “Why are you doing this? Are you bored or something? And you scared the shit out of my roommate, by the way.”
He grimaced, then rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah. Sorry about that.” He patted the top of the car. “We should go. I’ll explain over dinner.”
Walking to the driver’s side, I searched for the cocky athlete I’d read about. Instead, I found the man I met in the alley peering at me. Unlocking the doors, I put my bag in the back. Before he got in, Axel caught my eye over the car. “By the way, I want to apologize for the way I came across. Decker set me straight. I was…worried. And I don’t always handle things appropriately.”
“I appreciate that,” I replied. “For the record, I had my phone turned off.”
He frowned. “Why would you do that? Aren’t you afraid someone might need to get in touch with you?”
“No.” How did you tell someone you didn’t really have friends?
“I feel like there’s a story there.”
Shrugging one shoulder, I didn’t confirm or deny. Rolling down the windows, I looked over at him. “You might want to do that unless you want to suffocate.”
Axel followed my gaze. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a car with manual windows.”
“Rich people problems,” I quipped.
His brow furrowed as he looked from me back to the window crank. “I suppose.”
“I don’t mind them at all. Less to fix when they stop working.”
With a warm cross breeze flowing through the car, he looked over at me. “You didn’t deserve what happened the other night,and I want to make up for it. I would appreciate it if you’d help me alleviate my guilt and allow me to help.”
Was he thick? “Help with what, exactly? There’s nothing you can do. I’m not going back there. Maybe you missed it the other night when I told you Richard was looking for a reason to let me go. It was just a matter of time, and he chose to do it in front of you.”
His body twisted as he leaned toward me. Our eyes met, and my pulse kicked up. Was he going to kiss me? Instead, he held out a white envelope. “As much as I enjoy debating with you, it’s getting old.”
I frowned, staring down at the envelope. “What is it?”
“Your tip, had you gotten to finish your shift. It’s the least I can do.”
I hated moral dilemmas. Whatever was in that envelope would help take the pressure off finding a new job. But I’d never relied on anyone else for help. I worked for what I earned. It was my code.
“Please? It’s not much.”
I scrubbed my hands over my face. The man was begging me to take it with big puppy dog eyes. Sighing, I rolled my eyes at him. “I need you to understand that I don’t take money from anyone for any reason that I don’t earn. And I didn’t earn what’s in that envelope.”
“I admire that, I really do. But from where I’m sitting, it’s kind of stupid. Just take it for god sake.” My brows shot up, making him laugh. “And let’s go. I’m getting hangry.”
“You’re not the boss of me,” I chirped with pure teenage snark. Jerking it out of his grasp, I tore it open to find a stack of cash inside. My head snapped up as I peered at him. “No one leaves this kind of tip, Axel.”
He frowned. “No? Hmm.” He feigned thinking about it. “If it makes you feel any better, we left the same tip with your coworkers.”
I raised a brow. “Really? You did that for them?”
“Of course. And it was only fair that I deliver to you your share.”
I looked away, afraid I might cry. It would be enough to cover the shortfall in my rent for the month. “I don’t think I can take your money. I didn’t earn this.” He would never understand why.
“Do you refuse Christmas and birthday gifts, as well?”
“No.” I didn’t want to admit that I didn’t really know what those things were. Those were for people with a family and friends. I held up the envelope. “Money like this comes with expectations, and I refuse to owe anyone.”
“Then you can work for it. I’ll tell you over dinner if we ever get there.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Do you have an answer for everything?”
