Chapter 3
Anna
The door had barely shut when Flynn turned and gave me an irritated look. "Tell me something."
I almost winced. "What?"
"If we find someone else, isthatpart of the deal, too?"
I bit my lip.Good question.
Nervously, I glanced around. Unless someone was hiding inside that oversized trash can, we were definitely alone. Still, as casually as I could, I wandered to the can and lifted the lid.
I leaned over it and peered inside. All I saw were wadded paper towels and a crumpled candy bar wrapper. I frowned down at the wrapper, wondering justwherethat candy bar had been consumed.
My gaze drifted to the stalls, and I decided not to think about it.
After a long moment, I looked back to Flynn and said, "No."
His eyebrows lifted. "No?"
"I mean, that's it. So I guess we're even."
EvenIrealized that this wasn't quite true.Three guys? A thousand dollars?By any measure, I'd gotten the better end of the deal. The favor I'd done for him yesterday had been nothing in comparison. It had cost me nothing except my dignity, which I'd been losing on a daily basis, anyway.
"Even, huh?" Flynn gave a low scoff. "You sure about that?"
Now, I did wince. "Are you talking about the camera money?" After all, a thousand dollars was no small amount – to me, anyway.
He frowned. "Fuck the money."
I should've been relieved. But mostly, I was annoyed. I hated the thought of owing him anything. "Because if it's such a problem," I said, "I'llpay for it."
He gave me a dubious look, as if to say,Oh yeah? With what?
Heat flooded my face, even as I clarified, "I mean, after we settle up."
Next month.Something in my heart twisted. Soon, I'd be coming into more money than I'd had in forever. It wasn't a fortune, at least not by Flynn's standards, but itwouldbe a game-changer for me considering how badly I needed it.
Flynn moved closer. "You think I give two shits about the money?"
"Well, you must, since you're acting so crabby about it."
His jaw clenched. "Isaid, 'forget the money.'"
Actually, that wasn't exactly how he'd put it the first time, but that was beside the point. I replied, "That's easy foryouto say."
"Oh yeah? Why?"
"Because you're richer than Midas. So of course, it's easy foryouto forget."
Me? Not so much.
His gaze darkened, and that all-too-familiar edge crept into his voice. "You're wrong. I haven't forgotten a thing."
My face burned with the obvious implication. Back in high school, I'd been rich, and he'd been poor. We hadn't been friends, not even close. But wedidhave a history.
Now, I was so far beneath him, I might as well lick his boots and be done with it.
