“My parents are torturing me. They won’t be happy until they run a full background check on you.”
“Are they being persistent?”
“You have no idea,” I said. “Call me when you get here, and I’ll climb out my bedroom window.”
“Are you sure you’ll be able to make it out of there okay?” Jake asked.
“No, hurry up. Get me out of here.”
I laid back down on the bed and closed my eyes. Where did I want to go? It was my choice tonight. He’d probably take me for sushi in Tokyo if I asked him to, and that bothered me. He was too giving, too complex.
Jake deserved a chance at being with a girl like him, somebody who could move easily through his world, and look natural in couture gowns. I couldn’t be that girl. I was a simple worker. I could cook, clean, and count numbers. A woman in his world would have to be cultured, intelligent, and wealthy.
The money did matter. It would put us in different standings in the relationship. He could give me anything he wanted, but I’d have nothing to give him. So I’d just keep finding ways to pay him back.
It wasn’t enough. He should have a woman that brought something to the table. Instead, he chose me, and I still didn’t understand it. Maybe he was right. Maybe I didn’t know how beautiful I was. I could almost believe that when he looked at me.
He wasn’t a normal person. It was impossible not to look at him when he walked in the room. He was animated, and it made him stand out no matter where he was. I couldn’t help it. Every single time I saw him, I stared. I always had. He did the exact same thing to me.
I caught his eye every time I walked into a room. The chemistry was instant. Our bodies gravitated toward one another. He’d walk behind me and surprise me by taking a bite out of my neck. There was nothing sexier.
I laid in bed when Jake texted me that he was outside. I opened my eyes and looked at the window above my headboard. I thought I could just stand on my mattress and climb out my window, but the mattress was too soft, and my foot sunk into it. I would just have to run out of the front door.
I hopped down off the bed and stared at my bedroom door. I could hear my parents talking in the kitchen. They knew it would be the easiest place to confront me. I ran out as fast as I could, grabbed my purse, and walked out the front door before even looking back. Jake was waiting for me by his car.
“Hurry, before they come outside.” I said, opening the door to his car and jumping in and then ducking.
Jake put the car in drive and started driving away from my house.
“Thank you,” I said.
“See, wasn’t that fun?” he said.
“Boy, I should slap you.”
“Do it.” He smiled and stuck out his cheek.
I grazed my lips across his cheek instead. “Where are we going?”
“I don’t know,” he said. “It’s up to you.”
I still couldn’t decide.
“What city?” he asked.
“No, you’re not doing that. I want something local.” I had to try it. “Let’s go to Golf Land.”
“Golf Land? You know there are so many places like that that are a thousand times better.”
“Where? Dubai? I’m not going anywhere tonight. I want something simple. Besides, you have a thousand dollar limit this week.”
“I just won’t tell you how much I spend,” he said, grinning.
Golf Land had a big sign, saying “Free Golf Tuesdays!” taking up half their golf course. Jake stared at the building.
“What?” I asked.
“You’re not going to like this.”