“Tomorrow’s Friday, you have the next three days off, what are your plans?”
“I have school tomorrow.” I looked at her in complete surprise. I couldn’t believe that she actually answered that easily.
“And the weekend?”
“None of your business.” There she is.
“I’m making it my business.” She didn’t say anything just turned her head and looked out the car window.
“Have you been taking lessons from the asshole in chief? Don’t you know it’s against the law to manhandle women?” She whipped her head around to glare at me.
“Don’t even go there.” That shit made me feel sick. Is that what she really thought?
“Why not?”
“I’m pretty sure you know I won’t hurt you.”
“How am I supposed to know that, I don’t know you.”
Shit! She had a point. I have been acting kinda assholish, but the thought never crossed my mind and I had a feeling she knew that. Don’t ask me why I felt that way, I just did.
I’ve been forceful with her yes, but nothing over the top. Hadn’t I left her last night when I didn’t want to? “Are you going to answer me or not?” When she went back to looking out the window I had my answer.
“Tony, change of plans. Take us to the penthouse.”
That got her attention. “What? Stop the car.” I grabbed the hand that she tugged out from under mine and pulled her back across the seat away from the door.
“Are you nuts? Get your hand away from there.” She kept her body as far away from me as possible and refused to look in my direction. “I’m not going to your house.”
“Then tell me what I want to know.” She turned furious eyes my way, and started to say something before she remembered Tony. I’m surprised that stopped her, I didn’t think anything could.
“Tell me.”
“I have errands okay, not that it’s any of your concern. Can I have my hand back?” She tugged again but I ignored her.
“What kind of errands?”
“Oh for fuck sake, who are you my keeper?” Tony
damn near ran into the car in front of us he was laughing so hard. I glared at him in the mirror but that just made him laugh harder. Asshole!
I couldn’t do shit to her because his nosy ass was right there, but first chance I get I’m going to remind her about that mouth of hers.
For now I squeezed her hand hard enough to get her attention and hoped she didn’t damage me. “Answer the question Annabelle, and watch your damn mouth.” She huffed out a breath and tugged at her hand again.
“If you must know, I have study group on Saturdays, and Sundays I just relax and get ready for the following week.”
“What time do you have to study if all your days are taken up like that? One day a week isn’t gonna do it.” Not if she was attending Colombia University.
“I get by just fine!”
Dammit! There goes my plans to get her out of the city. “This study group, do you have to be there? Is it mandatory?”
“No, but it’s not something I like to miss. Why, did you need me to pick up an extra shift?”
She seemed interested. “Would you do it if I asked?” Though that’s not what I had in mind. She mulled it over for a little bit before her hand relaxed under mine.
“I’ll have to move some stuff around, but I guess I could do it just this once.”
“Actually what I had in mind would take both days.”
“And what’s that?”
“I need someone to housesit my mom’s place on Long Island. I’ll pay you.” That was the best I could come up with, but at least it would kill two birds with one stone. I’d get her out of the city and all to myself, and be able to keep an eye on her in the bargain.
It’s true mom’s place was left unattended, but her neighbor was keeping an eye on the place and it was heavily secured, so there were no worries.
“Where’s your mom?” Now she was looking at me suspiciously.
“She’s away for the next few weeks. Are you interested?”
“I might be, but I can’t do it this weekend. I already have plans after study group.” What the hell? What kind of plans did she have that she was passing up easy money?
We were already pulling up to her place and I hadn’t got the answer I wanted. “Come on I’ll walk you up.” I told Tony to stay put while I walked her in and up to her apartment, keeping my eyes peeled for anyone who might be watching.
“What time is this study group? Where is it?”
“We usually meet at this café in midtown.”
“We? Who’s we?” Damn I’m jealous of people I don’t even know.
She didn’t bother to answer, just gave me one of her looks as she unlocked the door and stood in the way sending a clear message that I wasn’t invited in. Like that was gonna work.