“I’m not flirting.”
“That was blatant flirting. That was a really nice thing to say, which means?—”
“I’m a nice guy who says nice things. How did you ever get the impression that I’m anything but that?”
The tone of his voice, the inflection in his words…he actually means that.
Which makes me feel guilty, because if I really think about it, when has there been a time in the past two days where he hasn’t been a good guy?
My annoyance doesn’t necessarily come from him, but rather the situation and the way he was brought into my life.
Swallowing my pride, I say, “You’re right. You’ve been nice and I’ve been irritable. Not that it’s an excuse, but I feel a lot of pressure right now and I think I’m stressed and taking it out on the people around me.” I look him in the eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“Thank you, Renley. I appreciate it. But no need to apologize. I understand pressure and stress. I’m in the same situation.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, but nothing you need to worry about.” He shifts on the couch. “But since we’re being honest, I should make my intentions known.”
“Yes?” I drag out, skeptical.
“I understand the rules that we set forth, but I have a rule of my own. While I’m here, you’re not allowed to date anyone.”
Date anyone?
Why would that be a rule of his?
“For the record, I don’t have time to be dating anyone at the moment, but I don’t believe you should be able to ask for that rule.”
“I should, because I understand the rules we’ve laid out today, but what I need you to know is that I’m not done with this—with the possibility of us.”
Groaning, I say, “Theo, this, us, it’s not going to be a thing. It was a mistake. I’m not looking for a fiancé; I’m not looking for a relationship at all. I don’t have the time to make something work right now, not when I’m trying to make something of myself.”
“I understand that and respect it, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to give up. If I have to go about getting your attention in a roundabout way, then fine, but I want you to know, I will continue to pursue you.”
“Why?” I ask, so confused about this entire situation. “You don’t know me.”
“I don’t, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to get to know you.” He leans forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “I came here for a reason. I’m here for the summer and I’m going to make the most out of it.”
“So that’s what all this is about—you give me money for my candy store and you’re attempting to get your way now? I told you I wasn’t going to do anything romantic for money.”
“I’m just asking for you to give me a chance, to get to know me. I’m not all that bad.”
“I don’t think you’re bad, I just think we’ve led two completely different lives. You’re from what seems to be some sort of high-society world in England where money isn’t something you stress over but rather just have. I come from a situation where we’re scraping every penny we have to make ends meet, picking up odd jobs where I work with my hands to gain just an ounce of respect from the people I live near. You have a title; you’ve naturally, by birth, gained that respect. We’re…we’re different, Theo, and I know this might feel like a strange project on your end, but this is my life and I’m not about to mess around with it right when I can see light at the end of the tunnel, taking me into a new chapter, one where I’m actually doing something that I love.”
He slowly nods, looking like he’s thinking over everything I just said. After a few seconds, he says, “Teach me.”
“Huh?”
“You’re right, I haven’t worked a day in my life. I’ve earned the respect of the people around me by doing absolutely nothing and I hate it. Despise it, actually. I have a desire to do so much more, but I’m not offered the opportunity. And that might sound entitled and like a rich-arse complaint, but I’ve been conditioned my entire life to not lift a finger. To let others do the work. I don’t want to be that person.”
The sincerity in his voice and the way his eyes gloss over when he speaks hit me harder than I expected. Because I can understand the preconceived expectations that others have of you. Where he might be looked at as someone who holds status, I’m someone who holds none.
I can relate—on a different scale, but I can relate.
And therefore, I say something that I don’t actually want to say.
“I can teach you.”
