“My mother was ill.” The words come out sharp and bitter. “Cancer. Stage four. We finished my savings in the first year. The insurance barely covered a fraction. So I borrowed money from unscrupulous characters who were willing to give it to me, no questions asked.” I lean forward. “And before you judge me for being stupid, I was desperate. She was dying, and I would have done anything to save her.”
“I’m not judging you.” His voice is almost gentle now.
I just turn my head away, unwilling to see the pity in his eyes.
Our waitress returns with the drinks, the glasses clinking as she sets them down. The milkshake is obscenely large, topped with whipped cream and a cherry. She sets it in front of me with a smile before heading back to the kitchen.
I stare at the pink monstrosity. I can’t remember the last time I treated myself to something like this. Something frivolous and sweet.
Grayson takes a long drink of his Coke. When he speaks, his voice is casual. Almost too casual. “So your loan shark wants you to sleep with him.”
I guess he overheard that as well. My face burns with humiliation. I wrap my hands around the cold glass of the milkshake but don’t drink. “Yeah.”
“And you’re not going to.”
“No.”
“Then what are you going to do?” He leans forward, and despite the light tone, his eyes are hard. Sharp. “When he forces your hand? Makes you choose between paying everything upfront or sleeping with him?”
As I meet his gaze, the exhaustion hits me all at once. I’ve been pulling double shifts for months, working myself into the ground just to make the minimum payments. My body aches constantly. I can’t remember the last time I slept more than five hours. I’m so tired of living like this. Of waking up every morning already defeated before the day even starts. I don’t remember the last time I laughed openly, enjoyed something.
“I don’t know anymore.” The admission comes out quieter than I intend and more vulnerable than I want it to be.
Grayson is silent for a moment. Then he says, “I can front you the money.”
My head snaps up. “Absolutely not.”
“Why not?”
“Who knows what you’ll make me do in exchange?” I narrow my gaze at him suspiciously. “I’m not trading one debt for another.”
“I can guarantee I would be a better loan shark than that asshole.” He grins at me. “Besides, I don’t need your money. I need something else.”
“Something else?” I ask cautiously, giving him a wary look.
“With my son.” His expression turns serious. “Maybe you could help me with Ethan.”
I blink at him. “Help with what?”
“His nanny is retiring. Linda’s been with us since Ethan was six months old, but she’s in her eighties and wants to rest.” He runs a hand through his hair, and the gesture is so unexpectedly human it catches me off guard. “And Ethan doesn’t adjust to people well. But he keeps asking for you.”
Warmth blooms in my chest. “He does?”
“He hasn’t stopped talking about you.” Grayson’s mouth quirks in a small smile that is part bewilderment and part helplessness.
I have no idea how to respond to that.
“Maybe you could babysit him sometimes while I look for a new nanny,” he says. “Nothing permanent. Just until he gets used to someone new.”
“No.” The word comes out firm.
Grayson’s expression doesn’t change. “No?”
“I don’t want to get involved with you any more than I already am.” I meet his eyes. “Let’s just finish our meal and you can get my car fixed. That’s it.”
He sighs, leaning back in the booth. “You’re so difficult.”
“Thank you.” I pick up my milkshake and take a sip. It’s sweet and cold and absolutely delicious. He was right about me needing to eat.
