"You're right," I admit, all the fight going out of me. "I was foolish and careless. Forgive me?"
His mouth works. He looks at the ceiling like it owes him money. "Do whatever you want."
"Thank you for forgiving me." "I didn't say—" He stops himself. Closes his eyes. Opens them. "Never mind. What do you want to eat?"
"What doyouwant to eat? My treat."
"You should be more prudent with managing your earnings."
"But I love spending my money on someone hot and honorable."
He glares at me. It's a truly world-class glare.
"And mine," I add.
Silence.
I let it stretch because I'm brave, and stupid, and both of those things are having a wonderful time.
"This is the part," I inform him, "where you shut me up with a kiss."
"Or I can just kick you out."
"I'm sorry, I'll behave."
"Then don't make me repeat myself." There's an edge under it now, the voice of a man who's not used to saying anything twice and doesn't intend to start. "What do you want to eat?"
I want to keep every glare he makes in a little box. Instead, I pick Chinese.
A WHILE LATER HE'Swatching me demolish my second carton of takeout with the expression of a man witnessing a slow-motion accident he's legally required to attend.
"Have you been starving yourself?" he asks.
"I need to keep an eye on my weight," I explain with my mouth full, which somewhat undercuts the glamour.
"When was your last meal before this?" I open my mouth to lie. I'm good at lying, thank you, with references.
"I catch you lying," he warns, before I get a syllable out, "I'll have the doorman bar you from the building."
"You can't really do that."
"Lie to me, then. See for yourself."
I put down the carton. "Last night," I fess up.
He looks at me like I've personally disappointed several generations of his family. "Why?"
"I was saving money."
"The same money you wanted to spend on me."
"Okay, I admit it, I'm not that good at handling money."
"Clearly."
"But since I plan on becoming a successful actress, I can just pay someone to look after my money."
"You need to learn how to do the things you're intending to outsource." His voice doesn't rise. Somehow that's worse. "Otherwise you'll be taken advantage of."
