“I obviously didn’t mean for you to hear that.”
“Clearly. But it’s okay. I already know you don’t trust me, nor should you—yet. But I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised to receive that compliment.”
My cheeks burned. “You know you’re a good-looking guy. Why is that news?”
“It is absolutely news to me that I don’t physically repulse you. You’ve referred to me in the past as ‘annoyingly handsome’ but never hot. It surprises me that you find me attractive, because sometimes if you can’t stand someone, you can’t see past your dislike for them, no matter what they look like.”
Swallowing, I did my best at damage control. “Well, it doesn’t mean anything. It’s just an observation. I think Ted Bundy was kind of good-looking too—in his own way. That doesn’t mean I would have let him into my house.” Shit. What the hell did I just say? My nerves had me spouting out nonsense.
He narrowed his eyes. “You did not just compare me to a serial killer.”
“I was trying to make a point.”
“You made it, alright,” he scoffed.
Shaking my head, I looked down at my shoes. “I’m sorry. That did sound terrible. I’m a bit embarrassed, to be honest. I guess I’m not handling it well.”
“That’s because I intentionally embarrassed you when I called you out. See? I’m already proving your point. I can’t be trusted.” He sighed. “I’ll cut the shit now.”
“Thank you.”
“On one condition…” His mouth curved into a smile.
“You’re evil.” I chuckled.
“Not as evil as a serial killer.”
I crossed my arms. “What’s your condition?”
“My condition is that you give me a chance to transform your opinion of me before I have to go back to Seattle. I want you to deem me as trustworthy as I am…” He paused. “Well, you know…”
“I get your point.” I rolled my eyes. “I don’t understand why it’s so important to prove yourself to me.”
The sun reflected in his gorgeous eyes as he looked at me. “I can’t explain it either, Aspyn. All I can tell you is the second I landed back here, after so much time away, it hit me that these past ten-plus years have gone by in a blur. The way you looked at me and acted toward me when we first reconnected—I didn’t like it. Being home alone in my dad’s house has caused me to reflect on a lot. Even though I’m successful financially, there are areas of my life that still need work. Despite my glowing fake obituary, I haven’t done anything truly positive with my time on this Earth. If it all ended suddenly, I don’t want to be remembered as that asshole from Meadowbrook High.”
“I don’t understand what you becoming a better person has to do with me. Like I’ve said before, I don’t want to be your charity case or test subject.”
Troy sighed. “Look, you’re someone I indirectly hurt in the past. Even though you say you forgive me, I don’t believe you. And you clearly don’t trust me. You said it yourself.” He flashed an impish grin. “But also…you’re a fun test subject. We’re getting along better, and when we’re not, I like our arguments, too. So, win-win.”
“I did have a good time when we went for Japanese food the other night,” I admitted.
“Except you never actually intended to hang out with me. We got there by default because loose-suit Brian was a loser.”
“That’s true.”
“What are you doing this weekend?”
“I can’t do anything this weekend. I have Kiki because my parents are going to a wedding in upstate New York.”
“I could bring by a pizza or something?” He quickly shut his eyes. “Shit…you can’t have pizza.” He snapped his fingers. “I’ll pick up some of that sushi you like. Does Kiki like pizza?”
“Yeah, she loves it, actually.”
“Then I’ll get pizza for her and me. And sushi for you. Text me exactly what you ordered, though, so I don’t get the wrong thing. Do you prefer Friday or Saturday?” he asked, rushing out the words as if to prevent me from having a chance to say no.
“I haven’t agreed to this yet,” I said, though I knew this time I was going to.
“Sorry. Am I jumping the gun on Operation Trust?”
I sighed. “Saturday.”
“Cool.”
Choosing Saturday would be far less stressful than having to make my house presentable on a work night. I guess this is happening.
“What does Kiki like to drink?”
“Beer.”
His eyes widened.
“Obviously kidding. You don’t need to bring anything for her to drink. We have plenty of stuff at home that she likes. I buy in bulk.”
He tossed his keys in the air and began walking backwards toward his car. “Just text me her favorite toppings when you send me the sushi order.” He called out, “Make sure you tell her not to attack me, though. I’m determined to make her like me, too.”
I laughed. “If you think I’m hard to please, you ain’t seen nothing yet.”
• • •
Saturday evening, Kiki followed me around the house as I went from room to room to make sure everything looked presentable.
“So why is he coming over again?”
Fluffing throw pillows for no reason, I answered, “He’s a friend.”
Troy would be here any minute, and my nerves were getting the best of me. Whenever I got tense like this, I’d rush around the house and tidy up, even if things didn’t need fixing.
“A boyfriend?”
“No, definitely not.”
“Boy toy?”
I whipped my head in her direction. “Where did you hear that term?”
“I don’t remember.” She giggled. “Wait! Not boy toy. Boy Troy.”
“Very funny.” Chuckling, I shook my head. “He’s just a friend, Kiki.”
The doorbell rang, saving me from further inquisition.
I took a deep breath in. “That’s him. Be nice, okay?”
She nodded.
I swiped my hand through my hair and headed to the door, opening it to find Troy juggling a bunch of items.
“Hey!” he said, a huge grin on his face.
I could barely see him behind all the stuff he was carrying.
“Wow, you really went all out.” I moved aside to let him in.
He carried two pizza boxes with a large paper bag on top. Under his right arm, he clutched a Tupperware of some kind.
Did he bake something?
“It’s not much.” He looked around. “Should I just put all this on the kitchen counter?”
“Actually, you can take it to the dining room. We’ll eat in there.”
Troy followed me and laid everything out on the table.
When we returned to the living room, he looked over at Kiki. “No gun today?”
“Auntie Aspyn told me I had to behave.”
“Well, that’s no fun. But I appreciate the mercy. Maybe I’ll let you get me on purpose sometime. I just need to come prepared—wear some waterproof pants.” Troy rubbed his palms together. “Your aunt told me you like black olives on your pizza but nothing else. I made sure they got it right.”