page72 (1/2)

When we reach the car, I open the passenger door and help her in When she settles and starts to grab the seat belt, I ask with a jerk of n in the yard “You’re selling your house?”

Trista griiven me the equity I needed to pay off my… um… loan, but found out there’s a terh I’m kind of at a standstill now because I don’t have the e”

Oddly, I’, and not because she ive her a nod and close the door

When I get in on et it fixed?”

Trista’s head snaps my way “What?”

“Money,” I repeat “A loan”

Trista snorts at me “No thank you My indentured servitude to you is alet out and find a job with real benefits”

I narrow -term repayment and low interest I’d help you out if you needed it”

Her head tilts to the side “Why? Your favor to Jayce has essentially been repaid”

If I tell her the truth, it would be so the lines of, “Well, Trista… see, I care for you I think I’s that I’ve never had before Not with Michelle Not with anyone”

But of course, I don’t tell her that because this thing will be over in ten days and we’ll go our separate ways Whether I use my relationship with Trista to hurt her brother re any of these feelings thatfancy

So instead, I just say, “If you need help, call me If not, that’s fine too”

“Okay,” she says hesitantly and before it can get anye directions

Leaning across her, I open the glove compartment and pull out a black velvet box I open it and show her the contents