I meandered about my apartment at nearly three o’clock in the morning trying to figure out what would be the smartest thing to do. I weighed up the Past Due notice on my kitchen counter on one side against my meager amount of pride and self-worth on the other. I collapsed on the living room floor and stared at the ceiling with the jagged crack that occasionally dripped water come time for rainier months.
There in my head rang the great question: To do or not to do?
Realistically, there wasn’t much I could lose if I caved to Guy’s offer. My dignity had already taken a turn for the worst, and I wasn’t exactly opposed to living with one of the hottest men on the face of the planet. Of course, the whole thing could backfire—he could demand sex constantly or force me to do things I didn’t want to, but if so, it wasn’t as if I couldn’t leave.
I closed my eyes and allowed my turmoil to engulf me.
The college, the tuition, the backstabbing bastard who’d taken nearly half a year’s work and passed entire passages off as his own without so much as batting an eye—all reigned supreme over my life, a black hole engulfing entire galaxies in space.
Only one person seemed to make all that despair go away.
Guy.
But how? Why? What was his reasoning? His need? How was he so invested in me already? And how—why—couldn’t I refuse?
It didn’t matter. One moment, my eyes were open, and staring at the ceiling.
The next time I opened them, it was nearly six in the morning.
I blinked, clearing the haze from my eyes.
I hadn’t realized I’d fallen asleep.
Leaning forward, I stretched my arms down toward my toes and stopped when I noticed the envelope lying on the carpet.
Past Due.
I blinked.
Was this supposed to be some sort of sign?
I didn’t really believe in miracles, and I definitely didn’t have any sway toward the supernatural, but after placing it on the counter in such a way that I was sure it wouldn’t fall off, this couldn’t be anything else but fate.
Standing, I picked both the envelope and myself up before heading toward my bedroom.
I’d made a decision.
Later today, I’d call Guy’s cell and ask if he was still willing to take me in.