Page 25 of Under His Control

“I slept all day so I had plenty of energy to use.”

I move to the stove and get out the roast from the oven. Jacob joins me in the kitchen and gathers plates and utensils.

It isn’t a large space. His silent, towering presence right beside me as I plate the food makes my hands shake. I accidentally spill some sauce on the counter.

We eat at the kitchen table. When the quiet and my anxiety about his answer becomes too overbearing, I ask one of the most mundane questions in the universe.

“How was work?”

He glances up at me. “Uneventful.”

I suppress my irritation at his one-word answer. I’m talkative enough for the both of us.

“What do you do?”

“I work for the water company.”

“Wow. That’s a big career change. From suits to boots.”

“It is, thanks to you.”

His chilly tone and stare discourages me from further conversation. My hope dies too.

He didn’t change his mind.

He won’t help me.

When our meal is finished, Jacob stands and takes our plates to the sink while I take a quick trip to the bathroom. I wash my face while resisting the urge to cry. The past two days have been so fucking frustrating, I turned into a big baby. I hate it. I’m stronger than this.

Reluctance fills my body as I leave the bathroom. I pause when I find Jacob seated at the table, obviously waiting for me.

“I’m willing to give you the money,” he says in a flat voice.

My eyes widen. “Really?”

“Yes, really, and you won’t even have to pay me back.”

Oh my god. This is amazing!

It’s like a movie. Just when all seems lost, it’s not. Rescue arrives in the nick of time!

Relief has never, ever felt so sweet. It takes everything in me not to run to him and hug him until he can’t breathe. I take a seat instead.

“Thank you, Jake—Jacob. That’s so generous.”

An unfriendly smile curves his lips.

“You’re so desperate to get what you want, you didn’t hear what I said.”

My smile dims as my body tenses.

“What do you mean?”

“I said I’m willing to give you the money, not that I’m going to do it. If you want even a penny from me, Penny, you have to earn it.”

I should’ve expected this. I should’ve known there was another shoe, ready to drop on my head. Mom taught me over and over again that everything in life is transactional.

Nobody gives something for nothing, baby. You want it, you gotta sacrifice for it.