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Ah, he’s right about that.
But I don’t want to cave on this.
Still, the way Hunter looks at me, daring me to continue arguing. I know he’s not going to give up and I also know he’s not going to let me ditch Harper tomorrow. It’ll be far less embarrassing to tell him now than to wait and tell him when we’re at the checkout counter and I can’t pay for whatever ridiculous dress Harper picked out for me.
I sigh, angling my body toward him. “Look, I know you probably think my life is super glamorous. My stepdad, being who he is. And my dad… well, you know who he was.” I glance away, hating the ache that is in my chest. “But it’s not glamorous. Not at all. In fact, most of the time, my life is pretty crappy. My mom is bitter over the fact that my dad’s will is iron tight. Nobody will get that money but me. She only gets a small check every month to support me—not even enough to buy herself a designer purse. Since she’s mad and since my stepdad hates me, they don’t give me things. The only reason I have any dresses at all is because my grandparents buy them for me. Usually for my birthday, Christmas, or other random holidays. But my life isn’t like everybody else here.”
Hunter nods, realization on his face. “You don’t have money for a dress, do you?”
Tears press against the back of my eyes and I shake my head. I clear my throat before speaking. “And the dresses I have aren’t really good for homecoming anyway. They’re more practical, like the one I wore to the dance we had earlier in the year.”
“Don’t worry about the money. I already planned on buying you your dress anyway.”
My head snaps up at his confession. “What?”
“I already knew all that,” he confesses. “Remember? Spy School knows all.”
I roll my eyes. “You’renotbuying me a dress. That’s ridiculous.”
“Yes, I am. It’s called a gift.”
“Well, I won’t accept it.” I jut out my chin, ready to fight Hunter to the end on this one. He willnotwin.
“Too bad. Because Iambuying you a dress.” Hunter narrows his eyes, letting me know he also isn’t going to cave. “I’m paying for everything. Dress, shoes, and whatever else you need to go to homecoming.”
My jaw drops open as I look at him. I don’t know what to say. I didn’t expect this and I honestly don’t want it.
“I’ll pay you back.” I uncross my arms.
Hunter beams at me, realizing he’s won. “No, you won’t, Trouble. It’s called a gift. I would be insulted if you tried to pay me back for it.”
I push a piece of hair behind my ear. “Hunter, you can’t be serious. It’s not even fair. You’ve given up your life to babysit me—”
He cuts me off. “It’s myjob. And I’m not babysitting you, I’m keeping you alive.”
“Still… it’s a glorified babysitting job.” I raise an eyebrow, daring him to argue.
He smirks. “Then you’re lucky you have the hottest babysitter on the planet.”
I grab the pillow off the couch behind me and throw it in his face. “In your dreams.”
“I know I’m in yours.” He winks at me.
I hate how my stomach flutters when he winks.
Still, I make a big show of rolling my eyes. “Fine. You win. This time. But I’ll find a way to pay you back.”
“Your undying gratitude is enough for me,” he says.
I grab my math book off the table. “Now go away. I have homework.”
He chuckles. “I knew my hotness was distracting you.”
I groan.
What did I do to get stuck with Hunter Duran as my bodyguard?
Homecoming?
