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“Fuck Jamie,” I growled, closing my eyes to keep from seeing her angry expression. “Sorry, but he can be responsible for himself. Just… what if I help you? You can’t be pulling in that much from waitressing. What kind of expenses do you two have here that you need to cover?”
“No,” she said, shaking her head slowly. “No. Don’t do this to me.”
My eyebrows furrowed together in confusion. “Do what?”
To my horror, I could see her eyes becoming glassy. What the hell had I done?
“Don’t offer me your money. I can’t—I won’t take it. I don’t want to be your... your paid companion.”
Realization dawned on me and I backed away like she slapped me. Was she fucking serious?
“You think me offering to help you translates into you being a whore? What the fuck kind of logic is that?”
“Ethan, we have sex. You giving me money every month for bills would just—”
“Then move in with me. Bring Jamie, I don’t care. Just... just stop looking at me like I’m trying to buy you,” I said incredulously, standing up and running my hand through my hair. “That couldn’t be further from my intention.”
I almost cringed when I glanced at the pillow that was hiding the necklace. I bought it for her only because I wanted to, but now I was horrified at the thought of giving it to her.
“I don’t have an agenda,” I said softly. “If I’ve done anything to make you feel like that—if the flowers were too much—please just tell me.”
Juliet stood as well, looking down at the floor with an expression that looked a lot like shame. It made the sick feeling in my stomach lessen, but it didn’t disappear entirely.
“I’m just not used to it. I’ve dated successful men before, but no one like you. No one who... who gave me gifts or even seemed to think of me unless we were together,” she explained, looking at me with wide eyes that begged me to understand.
But I didn’t. How could I? I couldn’t fathom how any man could be with her and not want to give her the world.
“Even when I’m with other people or trying to work—you’re always on my mind. I never stop thinking of you, Juliet. Never.”
