Page 16 of Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice

1. I’d have to live under the same roof with him (minus 200 points).

2. I could kiss the squirrels, the rats, and whatever animals currently making plans to nest in the fallen tree limb goodbye (no, eww, not literally, of course) (200 points).

An uncomfortable twinge of guilt tugged at my heart, admonishing me for being so ungrateful.Be nicer, Ellie.After all, he was being generous, helping me with the repairsandoffering me a place to stay. Sworn enemies or not, the least I could do was be civil and respectful to him. And really, let’s face it: I was desperate. What other choices did I have?

“Thank you. I’ll take it,” I said, forcing myself to sound polite. “But I’m paying you rent, even if it’s not much. I don’t want to be indebted to you for the rest of my life.”

“Whatever. Good thing I showed up, huh?”

“Absolutely. You should make a full-time job out of it. ‘Knight in shining armor for hire’ has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”

He gave me a dirty look, before pulling out his phone. “What’s your number?”

“I don’t give out my numbers on the first date. You need to buy me dinner first.”

He blew out an exasperated sigh, looking as if his patience was on its last legs. “Your number, Ellie. I’m texting you my address and the security code to disarm the front door.”

“Why didn’t you say so?” I gave him an innocent look as I took his phone and typed in my number. “Should have opened with that.”

Alec scoffed as he took the phone back. “Why else would I be asking?”

“Actually,” I said, as my phone pinged with his text, “I might need another favor.”

“For someone who doesn’t like me, you seem to be needing my help a lot.” This time, he did walk out the door. “Keep it up and I might start charging you.”

“Can you not say anything about this to anyone back home?” I ignored his jibe and followed him to his car. “That I’ll be living at your place?”

“Why? Are you on the run from your family? Eric knows you’re here.”

“Yeah, but he doesn’t need to know where I’ll be staying. I don’t want him and Naomi to, uh, get any ideas.”

Alec stopped next to his car and raised his eyebrows at me. “What kind of ideas?”

“Just… the wrong kind of ideas.” I made a vague gesture with my hands. I trusted Eric and Naomi, and I knew they would never say anything to my parents, but the fewer people from home that knew I’d be living with him, the better. “If Eric asks, tell him that you don’t know where I live.”

He let out a mock exaggerated sigh. “Asking me to lie will cost you extra. And you forgot to say please.”

“Please?My family doesn’t need to know about our living arrangements.”

Something flickered in his eyes. “Fine. I won’t tell anyone. Not that your parents would ever get in touch with me, anyway. Your mother hates my guts, too. Seems all the women in your family are immune to my charm.”

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