I hold out the flowers, and she reluctantly takes the roses, unable to hide her growing smile behind the dark red flowers.
“You’re my girlfriend for the night. If anyone saw us show up separately, the ruse would be ruined before the night even started.”
She sighs. “You’re right.”
I grin. I like her saying I’m right. I finally take in her appearance. Her flawless skin is wrapped in a deep blue sundress that flares out at her hips and gives her just enough cleavage. I might have overdressed a little in my dark grey suit complete with a tie, but it doesn’t matter. I’m sure she wants me as her date to make an ex-boyfriend jealous. Being more dressed up than everyone else will make my job easier.
My smile drops. Her skin is flawless. I don’t see a bruise or a cut. Either she heals quickly, or she’s wearing a ton of makeup. It was hard for me to look at her before when she was in the hospital. Not because the bruises and cuts made her appear ugly, but because they reminded me of my role in her suffering.
I glance down at her hands grasping the flowers, then dart down quickly to the heels on both of her feet. No cast or brace on either. No crutches. No wheelchair. I might believe the bruises healed enough to be covered in makeup in two weeks, but I know there is no way her wrist or ankle healed this quickly. The doctors said it would be weeks or months before the braces could come off, and even then it would be a long road of training and exercises before she was back to her old self.
She takes a step back, motioning me inside, and then curses as her ankle gives out in her heals. I grab her hips, keeping her upright.
“Are you supposed to be wearing heels right now? I thought your doctors said to wear your braces for a few more weeks?”
“She’s supposed to be using her braces. But she’s a stubborn ass that won’t listen to anyone,” Serena says, taking the roses from Larkyn’s hands and storming into the kitchen to put them in a vase.
Larkyn half frowns, half grimaces from the pain. “I’m not going to my graduation party and letting everyone stare at me in the braces.”
I narrow my eyes, not understanding why it would matter if she were wearing her braces or not. Surely, everyone would understand she is still healing from an accident that wasn’t her fault.
“That’s because they would ask questions since you haven’t—” Serena stops when Larkyn shoots daggers her way with her eyes.
I look between the two women, even more confused at what’s going on.
Larkyn continues inside, and I keep my hands on her waist, afraid she is going to hurt herself. It also gives me an excuse to be touching her.
“You should at least wear flats, those heels look dangerous,” I say, staring at the high spikes on her feet.
Larkyn glares at me with a growl that tells me to shut the hell up.
I grin. I like that look.
“No, she should wear her braces,” Serena says.
“Will you two stop? It’s my choice. I feel fine. I’m not used to walking in heels, but after wearing them a few more minutes, I’ll be used to them.” She shakes my hands off her body as she storms over to the kitchen to pick up her purse and throw the strap over her head to cross her body. Her purse is a light tan color, not flashy, like Larkyn.
She stomps past me, without a word to Serena or me, merely an evil glare.
“Have fun!” Serena shouts from the kitchen. Then she looks at me. “Don’t keep your hands off her. Larkyn’s stubborn. She won’t tell you she’s in pain and she is in agony since she stopped taking her pain medications almost immediately after she got home. And she couldn’t walk in heels before; she definitely can’t now.”
My eyes turn to the sassy woman strutting out of the apartment, her ass swaying making her flowy dress swoosh side to side as she walks. I much prefer the dress she was wearing the other night that hugged her body a little too snugly. This one makes her look as innocent as she is. This one wi
ll force me to behave like a gentleman, instead of the cocky bastard, I want to be.
“Don’t worry, I won’t be able to keep my hands off her,” I say, winking at Serena who is smiling, amused.
Shit. I may have just given her the wrong impression about what my intentions are with Larkyn. I won’t fuck her. I won’t hurt her. I’m paying back my debt to her, that’s it.
I need to talk to Serena on her own and explain things. And also receive some advice on how to convince Larkyn to take my money.
I chase after Larkyn as she reaches the stairs. Of course, she decided to skip taking the elevator. She’s a wreck walking on a flat surface. I can’t imagine how she is on the stairs.
I reach her as she is taking her first step down and hold out my elbow to her, like I’m escorting her down the stairs at some grand ball.
“What are you doing?” she asks, her body tense as if she might slug me.
“I’m being a good date. Now shut up and stop asking me that.”