to pay for a boob job, never taking a single course. She’s up to her tits in debt, but she got what she wanted. People do all sorts of things to reach their goals. I think it’s sort of fascinating that you go on all those interesting dates and make money. They should pay you. I bet you’re a ton of fun when you’re not playing the bitchy neighbor. Sort of like now, your guard’s down, and we haven’t bickered once.”
I pulled my hand free. “You’ve called me a bitch a few times now.”
“I said bitchy.”
“And before?”
“I was drunk and out of line.”
“No, this was when you were trying to apologize in the hall. You were sober.”
He smiled, and something shifted as if a veil came down. “I’m sorry.”
And I had been a bitch to him, so really, I shouldn’t expect more than the apology I already received. “I’m sorry I was a bitch to you.”
“I get why you’re not interested.”
“You do?”
“Sure. You want to focus on school and work—”
“Please don’t use finger quotes.”
“Whatever. You have a job, and I was distracting you from that, getting you all hot and bothered before your business appointments.”
I laughed, refusing to acknowledge his arrogant assumption. “Again, the finger quotes aren’t necessary.”
“I know, but I like using them. They make conversation more fun. Like let’s say you had an appointment, but I stopped by your place ten minutes before you had to go. Let’s assume we start talking and, of course, it turns into bickering, and I suddenly—” Finger quotes. “—kiss you. That can’t be conducive to the sort of—” Finger quotes. “—work environment you’re trying to create.”
“You’re a jerk.”
He laughed. “Why? I’m just laying out a hypothetical situation.”
“Hypothetical because it’ll never happen?”
“Oh, it’ll happen.”
I rolled my eyes. “Does anyone ever tell you no?”
“All the time, but eventually, I get a yes. Especially from women. It starts out slow. Mmm, yesss… Then it gets a little more enthusiastic. Yes… Yes!” He used finger quotes to emphasize each impersonated female cry. “And then it’s all about giving her what I knew she wanted from the beginning.”
“Which is?”
“To be taken away. Life’s stressful. Sex is an escape. I can be that for … people.”
“You have problems.” He thought he could be that for me, but that wasn’t how I operated. I found escape in other ways—surrender wasn’t one of them. “And you’ve reached your finger quote quota for the year.”
“But you’re curious.”
“About what?” I laughed. “Sleeping with you? God, no!”
He grumbled and refilled his wine glass, then grimaced as he took a long swallow. “We gotta get you some better wine.”
“Leave my wine selection alone. I think it’s good.” I refilled my glass, finishing off the bottle.
“It tastes like my grandmother’s perfume.”
“And you drank that?”
“No, but when she walks into a room after Sunday mass, it’s strong enough to choke a horse. It sticks in your throat until Monday.”
“You know, at first I imagined you were charming. I don’t think I’ve ever been more wrong about a guy.”
He raised his glass. “That’ll teach you to make assumptions. So, what do you say we watch a movie? I have a great one about this girl who’s house sitting, and something goes wrong with the alarm system, so she calls the company. When the rep gets there, they figure it out, but then the boiler breaks, and she takes off all her—”
“Are you describing porn?”
“I believe the appropriate term is adult film.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t say that with finger quotes.”
“I wanted to, but I was afraid you’d bitch at me again. And I’m told I have to work on my charm, so I’m trying to not piss you off.”
I suddenly realized I’d been smiling since the moment I walked into his home. It was strange to be so at ease with someone I mostly didn’t like. In the beginning, his attention had rattled me, but now… Something changed. We had … chemistry. I was having fun joking around with him, and in a way, I didn’t want it to end.
With only a few sips of wine left, I glanced at the clock. “If you really want to watch a movie, we can. But I have to go home after that.”
“Why, you got a hot date?”
“Do I look like I’m going anywhere tonight?”
He eyed my sweats and sloppy hair. “You’d look hot in a sack. How would I know what you have planned?”
“I’m off tonight, but I do have to get up early tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow’s Saturday.”
“So?”
“So, do you have class?”
“No,