Page 112 of Body Shot

“No worries. It’s pretty handy how you can stop and start it.”

“Right?” I sit on her bright red couch and rest my elbows on my knees.

“How’s your dad?”

“He’s okay.” I relay yet another update.

“Are you going to move back to Boston?”

I study her face—her shuttered expression, her fingers twisted together, her quivering chin. Was Marco right? Does she really care?

“I haven’t decided for sure yet.”

Her eyelashes flutter, but she says, “Your parents must miss you.”

“Nah. They don’t give a shit about me. Their only concern is the business.”

“Beck!” She stares at me open-mouthed.

I shrug. “It’s true.” I look away. “I didn’t tell you the whole fucked up story about us. But that doesn’t matter. I came here to apologize.”

“Apologize for what?”

“When I offered you that money, I never intended to insult you. I sincerely just wanted to help.” I clasp my hands together and drop my head briefly. I suck air into my lungs, finding the courage to utter the words that need to be said. “The truth is, I’ve . . . I’ve developed feelings for you, Hayden.” That sounds fucking weaksauce. What am I saying? I swallow and try again. “I love you.”

Her eyes widen and her lips part.

“You were so disappointed when you didn’t get that grant, and I had it in my power to make that better. I didn’t think it would come across as an insult. So I’m sorry.”

She blinks shadowy eyes at me, still twisting her fingers together. “You never told me you were rich. I guess you figured I’d be after you for your money, or something.”

“Fuck no!” I almost leap out of my seat. “I would never think that of you, Hayden. But . . . having that much money does change relationships with people. So it’s not something I tell anyone, really. I didn’t tell Marco and Cade until we were trying to figure out what to do with our lives. I’m such an idiot, I did the exact same thing. Marco made a joke about opening a tequila bar and I said, ‘Yeah, let’s do it, I’ll pay for it.’ They were so damn pissed.” I close my eyes briefly, although my lips lift into an anemic smile. “They got over it. So anyway . . . I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about that. And I’m sorry if I insulted you by offering the money.”

I rub my hands together and hold her gaze. “I’m also sorry about what I said. About you hiding from life. I want you to know that you’re an amazing, intelligent, beautiful woman. I admire your dedication to your research. I know how important it is to live for a purpose that’s bigger than yourself. You may think I’m just a bartender who likes to have fun playing around with extreme sports. But I do understand that sense of purpose. And I admire how you care for your family.” I rub my nose. “So please believe that I never wanted to insult you. I really just wanted to help, and it was never intended to be some sort of compensation for sex.”

She rolls her lips in and regards me with an expression I can’t read. Then she says, “Thank you for the apology.”

I nod. Okay then. I cleared my conscience, laid my cards on the table. But this is a game she isn’t going to play with me. I rise to my feet, a knife twisting in my chest. “Thanks for listening.”

I walk to the door and have my hand on the knob, when she calls to me, “Beck.”

I turn, my heart leaping. “Yeah?”

“I have to thank you for something.”

“Yeah?”

“Today when I went to see my aunt and uncle, they told me they’ve decided to sell their house. And move to a seniors’ complex.”

“No shit?”

“Yeah. Uncle Colin said you talked to him . . . I don’t know what you said, but thank you. It will make life so much easier for them.”

I suddenly feel a little lighter. “And for you.”

“Um, yeah. So . . . thank you.”

“Welcome, gorgeous.” I summon up a smile and leave her condo with heavy steps and a heavy heart.

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