Page 51 of IOU

“I just noticed your back pocket looked a little thin this afternoon.”

All right, fine. I was looking at his ass. It’s quite the firm masterpiece. Round and curved up into the perfect half-moon. Sue me. A girl can look.

He steps forward and sticks the card into my empty bowl of mac and cheese. I hope he made more.

Like he read my mind, his mouth quirks, and he nods to the stove. “I made extra.”

The extra IOU was worth it for another bowl.

I grin and playfully punch him in the arm, nodding to his beer. “I hope you don’t get dehydrated.”

“I hope you don’t get another IOU for getting on my nerves.”

His threat has no bite to it, and again, he knows these IOUs are just another maxed-out credit card in my wallet—a debt that will one day be paid, but not today.

I grin and toss the card he put in my bowl on the counter. “So, did you go to class today? I hear the professors don’t know what you look like. The guy in my Econ class said you were a redhead from Britain.” That comment earns me another eye roll.

“People are stupid. I go to class.”

Ehh. I’m going with a lie on that one. I never see Maverick around campus. Never. Had I seen him, I would have known who he was at Studs and Spuds.

“So, what did you do after class?”

Since I’m no longer blocking his path to freedom, he shakes his head and moves to the living room, plopping down on the couch.

Huh. That’s shocking. I felt sure he would go to his room and slam the door and not come out until I was sound asleep.

“What is this, an interrogation? Am I being accused of something, or did you try to burn another apartment down and need to know if I can be your alibi?”

I fake a laugh, doubling over but careful not to spill my cheesy goodness. “Funny. Maybe I just want to get to know you better.”

His scowl is back. “You’re better off in the dark.”

So that’s a little mafia-like. “Fine.” I move toward the sofa and sit on the coffee table—hopefully it’s good quality and doesn’t break beneath my weight. “I won’t ask about what you do every day, but you gotta do one thing for me.”

He laughs out loud, a deep rumbling sound that vibrates in his chest. “I do, do I? I thought I was already doing something for you.”

I wave that away. “Me living here is a favor. This favor I want comes with a roommate discount.”

He leans back, a big grin on his face. “I’m listening.”

That’s progress, right? At least he didn’t laugh in my face and tell me no. Well, he did laugh in my face, but he didn’t—never mind. You know what I mean. He also didn’t squash the roommate discount proposal.

I set my bowl down on the table and ready myself for his reaction.Stay with me alcohol, I’m going to need it after this.

“I want to smell your breath.”

Give it a second. One, two—there it is—Maverick doubles over laughing, the beer in his hand spilling a little on my precious couch.

“How much wine did you drink?” He finally manages to get out between laughs.

Okay, so it came out a little weird, but I stand by my favor.

“You say I didn’t see you drink your beer since I was in the shower. Prove it to me. Let me smell your breath.”

Shh. I am a little tipsy, but still, I want to know. I need to know some of his truth.

“What are you doing, Ainsley?” His tone turns serious.

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