Chapter 57 A Gift, Not a Bribe
A Gift, Not a Bribe
Ryder
Tessa took a single step back. "Um…what?"
I said it again. "Stay with me. And before you say no, hear me out, okay?"
"Actually, I'm not sure I want to."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm pretty sure you're joking. Or maybe I'm just hoping you are."
That last part hit harder than expected. "Why's that?"
She shook her head. "Do I really need to answer that? I've known you for how long?"
I knew what she was getting at, but this didn't have to be difficult. "So I'll find a place with a second bedroom. It's not a big deal."
"Not a big deal?" she said. "Are you serious right now?"
"Dead serious. And you still haven't heard me out."
"Okay…what haven't I heard?"
"You'd be safer."
From the look on her face, she wasn't buying it. "So this is a safety thing. Is that it?"
I was no liar. "Mostly."
She laughed. "Do you know who you sound like?"
Silently, I waited. Don't say it.
But she did. "Evan Carver, that's who."
This again? I crossed my arms. "Is that so?"
"Yes, actually." Her mouth tightened. "Do you know, after just a week of knowing him, he invited me to move into his building?"
Another surprise. "When did this happen?"
"During that one date – you know, the night he was rude to the waiter."
So she'd mentioned the waiter, but not Evan's offer? "Are you serious?"
"No joke," she said. "We'd barely had dessert when he said I should move in next door."
"Next door to what?"
"His condo downtown. He said he had this amazing place just sitting there empty, and why don't I take it so we could 'collaborate.'" Her tone grew bitter. "Collaborate. That's what he called it."
What an asshole. He'd invited her to move in next door?
Just the thought of it pissed me off. "I'm not asking you to collaborate, not like that."
"And what about Maisie?" She gave me a challenging look. "Are you gonna move her in, too?"
"Sure, if it helps."
She stared like I'd lost my mind. "And where would we stay? In your hotel?"
"Wherever. It's not hard to find a place."
"What you really mean is it's not hard for you."
"Fine," I said. "Yeah, it's not hard for me. Is that a bad thing?"
"I don't know. But it's an awful lot like Evan."
Something ticked in my jaw. "So you're comparing us?" I didn't say again, but I sure as hell wanted to.
"How could I not?" she said. "You're asking me practically the same thing he did. And in the same timeframe, too."
"Yeah, but for different reasons."
"You say they're different, but how can I be sure?"
I felt the snap before I heard myself speak. "Well, for one thing, I didn't turn you into a training doll."
At this, she went very still. "So, you knew about that? And you're just now mentioning it?"
I had to say it. "That's a funny question."
"And why's that?"
"Because you didn't mention it either. And you knew before I did."
"And you know this how?"
I shrugged. "I've got sources."
"Sources, huh? You do realize the doll's not me? The prototype's like five years old. I've known him only a few months."
"It's still messed up. And if you stay with me, I can watch your back. You'd be off his radar."
"But not your radar."
She said it like I was no better than Evan. "Just what are you getting at?"
"Why ask me?" she said. "You've got 'sources'. You probably know everything."
"About you?" I scoffed. "I doubt it."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
If this were funny, I might've laughed. "You won't even tell your roommate you spilled her bubble bath."
"So?"
"So nothing. I'm just saying, it's not exactly normal to be that careful. You're what? Worried she'll flip because of an accident?"
"I never said that. And besides, we're not talking about the bubble bath." With a hard swallow, she looked down at the bottle she was still clutching in her hand.
And now I felt like an ass. "Tessa—"
She looked up. "What? You're gonna tell me that I'm all messed up? That I feel this stupid need to be perfect?" Her breath hitched. "Well, guess what. I'm well aware. And yes, I'm also aware that it's stupid, but maybe I've got my reasons."
"Which are…?"
"Nobody's business. How's that?" And with that, she turned to walk away.
I couldn't let her go. "Hang on."
She whirled to face me. "What!"
Fuck. Deliberately, I softened my tone. "I didn't mean to upset you."
She made a sound, something between a scoff and a sigh. And then, she held up the purple bottle. "So, do you want this back?"
I stared. "No. Why would I?"
"Because the answer's no. I'm not gonna move in."
I glanced at the bottle. "It's a gift, not a bribe. Do you want to give it back?"
She answered in a near whisper. "No."
The relief I felt should've been embarrassing. "Good."
"But let me pay you for it."
"Forget it. You could try, but I wouldn't accept it."
"Look, I'd just give it back, but…well, I really want Maisie to have it. It wasn't her fault I messed up."
"And maybe it wasn't your fault either."
"But don't you get it?" she said. "All of it's my fault. Now I really need to go."
Again, I stopped her. "Wait."
"Look, whatever you're gonna say, don't. Please?" Her shoulders sagged. "I need time to think. So just give me some space, alright?"
I wanted to argue. But instead, I pointed to the bike. "You don't need to walk, remember? You've got that."
"Actually, I don't – have it, I mean. The bike's Maisie's so…" She never did finish the sentence. Instead, she tucked the nametag and purple bottle back into the gift bag before moving toward the bike.
Carefully, she placed the bag into the front basket like I had less than thirty minutes ago.
It didn't feel like thirty minutes. It felt longer, like too much had changed too fast. I wanted to say something, but everything in my head sounded wrong – and wouldn't sound any better if I spoke it out loud.
Plus, she had asked me to drop it.
I was no Evan Carver. If she wanted me to back off, I could do that.
I wouldn't like it. But I could do it.
So I watched silently as she pedaled away, leaving me staring after her.