Page 19 of Proposition 2

Not having to pay most of the usual bills on my list left me floundering. Despite the couple small balances I paid clearing before the morning passed, I continued to check the account, thinking there had to be something else. There shouldn’t be that much left.

When lunchtime came around and I watched the others heading out to grab something to eat, it hit me that for once, I could go get something too. I didn’t have to suffer until I got off work and made it home with the groceries.

Noticing Wendy sitting at her desk with a salad she’d brought from home, I cautiously approached, clearing my throat to get her attention. She’d worked in the office almost as long as I had and was just as quiet as I tended to be. We’d talked a few times in the breakroom as we made coffee, but I didn’t know her any better than I knew anyone else in the office, and I felt a bit awkward.

“Wendy, would you mind covering the phones so I can go grab something for lunch? I promise not to be too long.”

Her brows rose as she looked up at me through the thick lenses perched on her nose. Pushing them up, she gave me a smile and shook her head.

“Yeah, no problem. I’m not going anywhere. Take your time.”

I grinned as my chest filled with a feeling of giddy excitement. I realized something so simple shouldn’t be such a big deal, but I pushed those thoughts aside as I thanked her and grabbed my purse to head for the door. I told myself I could indulge this once and do something that felt like a special treat.

Even though I had an hour and there were plenty of places nearby I could go to, I settled for stopping at the café on the corner of the block. I couldn’t ignore the ingrained habit of looking for the cheapest item, so I settled for one of the sandwiches they had in the display case, though I splurged for a chocolate chip cookie fresh from the oven.

Sitting down at the little table outside, I closed my eyes as I bit into the warm gooeyness. The thought that this was what normal was like made me snort in amusement. I ignored the wiggle of guilt that Momma and Michael were eating leftovers for lunch while I enjoyed a meal I hadn’t made, by promising to get them something as a treat as well.

Despite my misgivings about being associated with Leo, I had to admit that I felt much freer without the noose of financial strain choking me. I still planned to pay him back, but it was nice to enjoy a moment where I wasn’t straining under the weight of worry.

My thoughts turned to what I was going to do about Leo. He’d made it clear that he was going to pursue me despite any objections I made. I still wasn’t convinced of his sincerity, but I’d decided to give him what he wanted.

To a point.

I still didn’t know all that much about him, but he didn’t seem like the type to fall for someone after only one night. If you left out the month we didn’t speak, we’d barely known each other a few days.

The way he spoke was as if he wanted a relationship, and despite the draw I felt to him, I couldn’t believe he was the kind to settle down so fast. He was older than me, but not by enough to think he was feeling the press of time.

My plan was to give him what he wanted. Me. Until he grew tired of me and decided to move on.

We could keep it clandestine. I would meet him when he wanted, but I was going to do everything in my power to protect my heart because I knew the time would come when he would grow bored.

I’d listened when I was backstage at the auction and I figured he was more familiar with women like the others who were… very open. My innocence was a novelty to him. A shiny new toy that he was enamored with but would quickly tire of.

My only hope was that he didn’t break me before the infatuation wore off.

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