She wasn't stupid.So why all the dumb decisions?
What the hell was this?Some sort of ploy to getmyhouse intohername?
I mean, yeah, I was angry on her behalf, but that didn't mean I was blind to what she was going for. If she'd been willing to beg me on her knees to fix up the place, she might do just about anything to get what she wanted.
Did that include dishing up a sob story?
Maybe.
I'd been around the block a time or two. And I'd seen far worse from people I knew better.
I wasn't a trusting guy.
Arden glared up at me. "You're acting like I'm some sort of moron for believing him."
She was no moron.I knew this for a fact. But Ialsoknew that when she wanted something, she wasn't one to give up.
And then, there was her story – the sad tale of a girl who'd been wronged. The more I thought about it, the more it made no sense. Either it was missing a few chapters or it was mostly fiction.
"I know you're not stupid," I told her. "And that's the problem."
She blinked. "What? Why?"
"Because your story's a crock."
She drew back. "What?"
"You own half a house for what? Three years? And you don't check on it? You just keep writing checks? That's not the ArdenIknow."
"Oh yeah?" Her voice rose. "Then maybe you don't know me at all. You ever think of that?"
Ihadbeen thinking that, but not in the way she meant now. And this wasn't the time to get into it.
When my only reply was a tight shrug, she said, "Andthisis why I didn't want to tell you."
"Yeah, I can see why."
"You know what?" she said. "Forget it. I'm sorry I told you anything."
"AndI'msorry I asked."
"Oh, boo hoo," she said. And with that, she turned and stalked back toward her bedroom.
As I watched her go, I might've smiled if I weren't so pissed off.Boo hoo?
Like an idiot, I almost went after her, because there was part of me – a very stupid part of me – that wanted to yank her into my arms and tell her that I'd make everything alright.
It would be easy.Too easy.
As far as giving her back the house, hey that would be easy, too. I had plenty of money, and the deed free and clear. One quick phone call, along with a few signatures, and the house could be hers for good.
But who would be the sucker then?
Me.
And I was no sucker.
I held my ground, even as she disappeared into her bedroom and slammed the door so hard, I felt it in my bones.
