His tone makes me purse my lips. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. So how bad was the fire?”
“The living room’s looking rough. The rest seems okay. She’s not hurt.”
“I gathered as much. And for how long is she staying?”
“A while.” She just doesn’t know it yet. “The firemen are still here.”
“Based on how the two of you interacted last night, I’m surprised she agreed to stay with you.”
I sniff. “She hasn’t yet. But she will.“
“Oh Christ. You should warn her you might burn down the rest of the houses in this town if she says no.”
“You’re a smart ass, you know that? I’m hanging up.”
I walk back into the living room. Blake’s just saying goodbye on the phone.
“How did it go?” I ask when she hangs up.
She winces. “Nicole was understanding. Told me to call her once I know what the repairs will look like. I need to board up the windows as soon as everyone leaves.”
“I can do that for you. As soon as we’re clear to go inside.”
She opens her mouth as if to argue, but then stops herself. “I would appreciate that.” She scratches her temple. “I’ve never been very good at accepting help.”
Yeah, she definitely isn’t. “I still think you should stay with me.”
She shakes her head. “I can’t.”
“I promise I’ll behave.”
“It’s not just that. It would be a huge favor, and I’d have no way to repay you. That doesn’t feel right to me.”
I sit up straighter.
Hold on.
That’s it.
Thereisa way she can repay me.
“What if there's something you can do for me in exchange?”
She blinks at me. “Like what?”
“Pretend to date me.”
Her left brow slowly arches up. “Huh?”
“I have a reputation problem. You must be aware.”
She reaches up to fix her ponytail, looking adorably confused. “I’m aware of the reputation. I didn’t realize it was a problem for you. Seems like a badge of honor if anything.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “It’s a problem. And according to Sam, it’s a big one. We’re losing business over it.”
“You don’t say,” she deadpans, dropping her hands back into her lap. “Who would have thought sleeping your way through a small town might not be the smartest thing—“
