Paid to love

d him with my arms still in my apron. "What are you d

visit you

hy

inches away. I took a hiatus, uneasy with our close closeness. The aroma of his perfume drifted be

es. His presence was nearly oppressive. I took

a letter

g it from my pocket and presenting it to h

strained. I waited for his response to the tip amount, but his expressio

he forty-three cents?"

dollar amount be deduct

stand how he wasn't taken aback by the total

return th

g, and I haven't spent any of the money," I vowed. "I'll

ing the receipt at me. "Do as I s

im as if he were insane.

my girl

that not a joke? Or was it all pa

n," Ariana stated, drawing th

nd smiled at her.

e wooden tables. His head was against the wall, his hands clasped over

and laughe

s coffee. I couldn't help but notice the tiny

your girlfriend?" I questioned. And, like any other lady

e tsked and squeezed his lips into a flat

him he was out of it, but I restrained myself. "Coul

said, stepping over to Sebastian's table and ta

ed to herself. He asked if t

et you two slices, and well, would yo

al cream, and ext

hey had become paying clients. I felt like I was the only one concerned about

riana said as soon a

o clue,"

ow can you be so calm about this? If

le behind it. He'd stated we might assist each other on the bizarre message he'd lef

f cheesecake and covered them with strawberries. Then I dragged a chair from another tab

employer," Mateo said simply. He took a fork and sliced a little piece of cheesecake, study

, annoyed by his attitude. Perhaps he hasn't accu

ff at Michelangelo's. You weren't meant to give out

re-frozen cheesecake, but Mateo drew it away from him. "I'll eat it nonethel

cou

t?" "I've been telling you for the last 1

I didn't know what I could

lfriend. You are a female," he added, pointing his fork at

ure who you are or how you grew up,

aid, "I'm not buying you; I'm provid

. Was this guy for real? Did he not realize

aid. "Just for six months; all you have to do is come to a few parties with

ine. His expression was devoid of fun. He was dead s

shirt. "For various reasons, but mostly so that I am

onfident you couldn't compel someone to marry someone else. But I di

'm in love with them, and then have them break up with me, I can claim I'm too devastated to move on," he spoke quic

d with delight, as though this was the most incredible thing he'd seen in a long t

fixed on my face, and I bit my lower lip. "Do you want m

o no

hy sho

"You piqued my attention, and I feel partially guilty for ge

ig deserved it." Still, the month-long punishment was total no

make it up to you. Be my girlfriend for six

money was involved. I didn't have many hours at the coffee shop. Even with my

mall details," he said, reaching into

," I remarked as I raised my han

Why? I'm attractive, successful, and

s appearance. "Doesn't that sound

penetrating mine. "It's just for six months;

ut

ouldn't bring myself to go so low, no matter h

ou $10,000

a blink

right?"

ney than I could have made in four years! Was he for real? What was I thinking? He t

er, t

ver pride I had imagined I desir

he read my submission. "S