“No. Winning the bet wouldn’t hurt, but I’d be in it more for the sake of not letting Preston and his girlfriend win it.”
“Must be a jerk.”
“Yeah, he took great joy in tormenting Ainsley all throughout high school. And since he also poached my girlfriend, we don’t really have a whole lotta love lost between us.” I chuckle.
Lucy’s eyes go wide. “She didn’t tell me the details. Spill.”
“Not much to tell. Carly met Preston at a family dinner that I’d brought her to, and he wined and dined her in front of my eyes. She told me he was on a higher level than me.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Meh, he’s more into appearances. And Carly was too. They actually seem really similar, so maybe they’re a good fit for each other. But Preston has never lost the opportunity to remind me that he stole my girlfriend from me,” I say with a laugh.
I look at her. “What about you? What would you do with fifty thousand dollars if you had it?”
She finally looks me in the eye. “I would pay off the student loan that I told you about the other night.”
There is no hesitation on her face. It makes sense. The reason she’s living with me is that she needs to be able to get out from under that loan. We had a long talk about financial woes while we were sitting in the living room, scrolling through TV shows together. That was when I learned her student loan interest rate had increased recently, and she was feeling stressed about it.
I shake my head. “I can’t believe that they stuck you with such a high percentage. It’s so predatory. Especially whenpursuing a career that demands a degree. You couldn’t do what you do without going to college. They’re taking advantage of people who have no other option.”
Her lips tip up a little. “Thanks for being mad for me. And thanks for being such an awesome landlord and roommate.” She clinks her mug to mine this time.
“So,” I say, looking at her, “you don’t seem horrified by the idea that Ainsley suggested we get married. I was scared you’d pack up and be gone by the time I got home today.”
“I’ll admit, I was surprised when Ainsley said something about it.”
“She has a way of surprising people with things,” I tell her.
“I can see that,” Lucy says with a laugh. “But the way she described it honestly makes sense. Is it strange if I say I’ve been thinking about it all day?”
“Wait—you’ve been thinking about us getting married?”
Lucy nods slowly.
“Are you saying you think we should get married?”
Lucy’s eyes go wide. “No, no, no. That’s not what I’m saying. Unless, of course, that’s what you think.” She looks at me with raised eyebrows.
“Well, it’s not that I think itshouldhappen,” I say. I try to read her body language because I don’t have a good read on what she’s implying. “But itcouldhappen.”
Lucy laughs nervously. “There’s so much thatcouldhappen.”
“And if you needed it to happen to pay off student loans, then we could make it happen. Hypothetically of course. Becauseifwe were to get married and win the bet, I’d agree to you keeping 70% of the money.”
Lucy taps a finger against the countertop as she stares at me. “Are we both talking about getting married right now?”
“Yes, I think so.” My heart starts beating loudly enough that I can practically hear it. There’s nothing like talking about getting married to send a person into full panic.
Lucy looks at me with wide eyes. “I feel like I’m drowning in debt, Miles.”
“I know. But just know that whether or not we get married, you are welcome to live with me however long you need.”
She blinks slowly. “But, of course, we won’t get married.”
“Right. It was silly of me to suggest it. But if you want to pay off your student loan, just let me know, and we’ll do something about it.”
“And by ‘do something,’ you meanget married…”
