Beautiful Villain

I sigh.

She’s right.

And apparently, I’m already more trouble than I’m worth.

I hate knowing that this guy could come after her and start harassing her for letting me stay with her.

“You should drive by the motel,” I tell her.

“Why?”

Do I really need to explain this to her?

Does she really need it spelled out?

“You’re a smart girl, Finley.”

“Okay.”

Shit.

Okay, so I am going to have to spell it out.

Great.

“You don’t need me around your place.”

“Excuse me?”

“Seriously? Finley, just take me to the motel. I can get a room and stay there until I figure out what I’m going to do. The last thing you need is for the sheriff to know I’m staying with you.”

“Neil, I’m 23 years old. No offense, but who I choose to date is none of his concern.”

Date?

So we’re dating?

Is that what she thinks?

Shit.

The thought is surprising to me because I kind of thought we were just fooling around, but I don’t hate the idea. In fact, I’m actually a little overwhelmed with emotion at the idea that she thinks I’m good enough for her to date.

Being a villain is one thing.

Being with a beautiful girl like Finley is another.

Finley is sweetness and light: goodness and wonder. She’s all of the things that I’m not, and I don’t deserve her. I don’t even deserve to hang out with her.

“Judging by your silence, I can assume you’re freaking out over the fact that I used the word date. Please don’t be offended,” she says, and her tone is a little different now. She sounds…well, she sounds a little worried. “I just don’t really have the words to describe what this thing between us actually is,” she tells me.

“It’s okay.”

“Is it?” She raises an eyebrow. “You seem freaked out. Sorry. Let’s just…let’s just go home.”

She turns the car around in a parking lot and starts heading back to the house. The sheriff follows, and I wonder if he knows how conspicuous he is. When she finally reaches her house, she pulls into her driveway and puts the car in “park,” but she doesn’t shut it off or wait for me or anything else.

She hops out and runs into the damn street and waves her arms in front of the sheriff’s car.