Page 171 of The Plan

“Now how much for them?” I circle back to the point. Hazel picks up a tray of milk bottles and walks across from where we’re standing.

“They’re not in your budget.”

“I don’t have a budget.” Like I said, I don’t care how much they cost. She sits on the ledge of one of the lower tanks, and another ugly animal swims to her.

“This isn’t a pet store, Sire. Nothing here is for sale.” I let out a scoff, and she starts bottle-feeding it.

“Everything is for sale for the right price. Besides, you know they’re for Vidia, so stop giving me such a hard time.”

She glances up at me and squints her eyes. I wonder who she got that from because they both do that eye squint thing. “Pet rays are illegal in LA.”

“Well, unless you’re the cops, I don’t see the issue. You basically own this place. Just give them to me.”

She turns back to the thing she’s feeding, and it looks like it’s starving with the way it basically eats her hand. “Where do you plan on putting them? In your tub? Your apartment didn’t look big enough for a sixteen-foot stingray last I checked, let alone two.” They grow that big? Maybe I should just buy her anaquarium and fill the whole place with every kind of ray instead of trying to take one home.

“Can’t he adopt them and keep them here?” August snaps me out of my thoughts. I turn my head to him, and he’s just casually eating his second box of Mike and Ikes. I look back down at Hazel and tilt my head to the side in question.

“Why didn’t you just tell me I could adopt them?”

She shrugs her shoulders. “I wanted to see how much effort you’d put into it.” What does she gain from that? I don’t bother questioning her, and when she looks up at me, I wait for her to go on, but she doesn’t and clearly enjoys making my life difficult.

“Well?”

“They’re not up for adoption.”

I throw my hands up in defeat. “So put them up for adoption, Hazel.” I know it’s in her power; she runs the show over here, or at least she makes it seem that way. “You wanna see how much effort I’ll put in? I will literally rob you for them, so choose.” I’m almost positive I can scoop them into a bucket and make a run for it right now.

I didn’t see any security when I walked in. I look around real quick. There’s a door about twenty feet away, and I think it leads to the parking lot. When she breaks into a laugh, I look down at her, confused as to what’s so funny but more confused because I don’t think I’ve heard her laugh before, at least not in a long time.

“Are you scoping the fucking perimeter? Checking your damn exits?” I deny it. I’d be able to get away with them either way. Her laugh sobers up, and she actually wipes a tear from how hard she was laughing.

“I like your determination. I’ll give you the adoption papers tomorrow.” I feel a smile growing on my face.

“Get them now.”

I spend the next few hours with August after he harasses me, but before I know it, it’s time for me to pick up Vid from work. I’m extra excited to see her since I couldn’t have lunch with her. August made me feel bad and pointed out that I’ll see her when I go home, and since I chose to leave him and not live next door anymore, I won’t see him for a long time. Those were his exact words.

I’m leaning against my car as I wait for Vid to come downstairs.

“Hey.”

My head snaps to the right, and a smile grows on my face.

“You are so hot. Do you think I can get your number?”

My brows furrow, and I send her a glare. “I have a very beautiful girlfriend. Fuck off.”

Vid breaks into a laugh, and I smile at the sound before pulling her into my embrace. She wraps her arms around my neck and looks up at me. “Is that actually how you’d turn a girl down?”

I kiss her forehead and then her lips. “Yes.” She laughs again, and I open the passenger door for her. I walk around, and when I slide in, she’s smiling down at the seatbelt cover. I put them in all of my cars for her.

“How was your day?” She tells me it was the same old, same old, but good nonetheless. When I pass our apartment, she asks me where we’re going.

“It’s a surprise.” She surprisingly doesn't ask any more questions as we head downtown.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Vidia

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