Paid to love

n. Was he some kind of insane stalker? I'd never encountered somebody who would phone someone every two minutes if they didn't respond i

a inquired fro

im with my Coffee House schedule for the week. So, if he'd gotten it, why was he a

t I wouldn'

returning with an armful of coffee

eds some work," I said, recalli

ing. How could it have been my fault that my boobs were too large for my body? Or that the stores I could afford did not have "small torso, large

ow, I'm sure he was only trying to offer y

stopped her off, putting my hands ov

f the countertops. "You'll get over it. And,

asti

right, S

d started grinding some d

t away. "He was over here keeping me company

notion of him flirting with Ariana bothered me. If he was Mateo's buddy

. "I'm not going to compet

t in terms of money. She was a model of the highest caliber.

r crushing on your bro

t, the grinder

n," she joked, but the laughter vanished shor

d resumed grinding the

ime does he

d. A year may not seem like much, and it may be a short sentence. But it seemed like an eternity, especially bec

the compensation money you'll receive if h

positive attitude. "That is, a

vehicle. But I couldn't think he'd stolen and smashed an automobile while under the influence of alcohol. I'd known him all my life. He

, worried about my lip. It paine

ckle. I stepped up to it and scooped it up, giving her a dirty loo

re not answeri

derstand it wasn't a client

off th

xpression. I pondered not answering it, but I was too afraid it was a cl

ou ign

es," I

ent of stillness. "Pl

two minute

re not answeri

wor

S

ndoubtedly accustomed to folks picking up on the first ring of

know it's not nearly as great as other coffee shops nearby, especially sinc

hat fascinating pi

He genuinely seemed happy. So I

oorframe. "Are you going to

eriod of stillness. "I've

la

l go on our

I aske

can look at your clothes and ass

ess

ing to mimic a p

e. "No, why must

at dating

a date in a long time. Or had a boyfriend for a while. After Brandon went to prison,

phone line. "Don't overthink things;

me so nervous? All I had to do was show up. In high scho

at your hou

hat afforded me approximately a

you l

hat my apartment—" The

th

phone, scoffin

he floor, Ariana inq

one

was he

a bit self-conscio

lated. "Wow,

that was the right term. Nerve

least, it'll be a

l. Not too shabby. I smiled

few minutes away, and I arrived on time. I rushed out of my vehicle and made my way up the steps to my flat

d in a more excellent section of the city, near the college, but when Brandon went to prison, I had to find a cheape

d in the flat below mine. They were, nevertheless

ded like they'd collapse at any moment. There were probably more weeds than grass on the grounds, an

d demanded $400 per month at first, but I forced him to accept $300

hen I first moved here, I cleaned the hallway and stairs until the wood floors were practically gleaming. I didn't go inside the downstairs apartment, but I'd treat

r. The bathroom was a bit smaller than I liked, but it didn't bother me too much. I was

ad to try. I rummaged through my wardrobe in just my underwear, seeking any of my gowns and going through all the still-packed boxes. Then I went through m

things easy on myself since there wasn't a lot of space in this home. But I didn't believe I'd