Arlo’s eyes dart to mine .
I hold my breath. I don’t know how he found me so quickly in a room full of people. The last time I saw him, he kissed me. I look for something to show me that he wants me as badly as I want him. That he has been a complete mess of need and lust since our kiss, just like I have. That he is desperate for me, just like I am to have his lips on me again .
I see no sign of any sort of desperation. He does what he always does. Pretends I don’t exist while making me his entire focus .
“I’m here to talk to you about why you should never be in anyone’s debt .”
I swallow. I glance down at the program that Eden is holding. It says he’s here to talk about how to start a company. The keys to success. Not about not being in debt. This lecture is entirely for me .
“Asking someone for help shows them your weaknesses. It shows them how reckless you are. Be very careful who you show your weaknesses to. If you pick the wrong person or company, it could lead to your death,” he says .
The only problem is, I can’t pay attention to any of his words when he is staring at me so intently. He has to know that, if he is trying to get me to listen and leave him alone, this is the absolute worst way to do it. Because all I can see are his eyes. Occasionally, my eyes are able to break from his spell long enough to drift down to his lips. I imagine his lips on me. Kissing me again, but harder, more passionately. The kind of kiss that makes me forget about everything but him .
“Owing anyone anything will take away what little freedom you have. You should never be willing to give up your freedom in exchange for some help. Be stronger than that. Figure things out yourself. Giving up your freedom is never worth it,” he continues .
Focus. Just listen to his words. They are important .
“Never be in debt to anyone who already has more power than you do. It will be the end of you,” he says .
But his lips are so good-looking when he talks, it’s distracting .
“You won’t just owe the person who helped you. You’ll owe everyone who had anything to do with the debt you incurred. And paying them back will never end. You will be trapped forever .”
Trapped forever—got it .
But then he looks at me with his beautiful, dark eyes, and I forget .
“And, most importantly, if you do become indebted, run and hide. It’s the only thing you can do. Fighting won’t ever work. You will lose. So, run and hope that what you owe isn’t worth going after. And maybe it will keep you safe .”
After an hour and a half, he gives us a break and disappears from the stage. I exhale probably for the first time since he started talking .
“He couldn’t stop staring at you. What did you do to him? That must have been some freaking amazing sex .”
“We haven’t had sex .”
Eden scrunches her nose. “What? I thought you said …”
“You assumed .”
“Well, I don’t think it would be hard for you to convince him to sleep with you. And, if you aren’t interested, I am. Maybe he has a brother or something for me ?”
“He has an annoying, sweet younger sister .”
She sighs. “Too bad. So, what’s your plan ?”
“I don’t have a plan .”
Eden laughs. “You always have a plan. That’s part of your obsessive tendencies. You plan because you enjoy the planning almost as much as you enjoy the chase .”
I shrug. “All my plans so far have failed miserably. I’m going to try going with the flow this time .”
7
Nina
I will not make a plan. I will not make a plan …
I keep repeating those words over and over again as Arlo finishes the second half of his presentation .