Wow. The size of his ego must constantly give him a headache. I gave him a disgusted look and pretended to yawn. "Everything that's coming out of your mouth sounds interesting. I don't know why I keep yawning." Those green eyes widened and honed in on my face. I thought I pissed him off this time but the most unexpected thing happened. He started laughing. "I like you," he chuckled. "I mean you're a knock-out but I didn't think it went beyond that." Did he just insult me? "I'm offering you a way out of your misery. Why don't you grab it?" He plugged his nose with his fingers. "And could you please take a shower? You might be gorgeous but I ain't spending time with a girl who smells like the sewer." I huffed. He was right though, I must smell really, really bad. But... "Then what do you want in exchange?" "Not everyone wants something from you," he replied grimly. "Oh, is that what you think?" I laughed bitterly. "Everyone wants something from you one way or another. Haven't you learned that yet?" He tilted his head to the side and studied my face for a moment. I wondered what he saw when he looked at me. My looks and shape of my body usually gave people the impression that I was always looking for fun. Little did they know that was the very last thing on my mind, if at all. I was too busy staying alive, too busy working for my next meal to think about anything else. Last night was an anomaly. "I could clean," I offered. Was I really doing this? Why not? The world hadn't given me a free ticket in so long. I was overdue for one. "I already have someone come in three times a week for that," he answered. "I can cook." He frowned. "Don't string me along like that. That's not very nice." I rolled my eyes. "Can you really cook?" He looked like a little boy who found the last cookie at the bottom of the jar. "Yes." "Deal!" This was too easy. "You said you live by yourself, but how can you afford this place?" He looked uncomfortable. I hoped he didn't think I was trying to find out how much money he had in the bank. That I was a gold digger. But why wouldn't he? He didn't know me from Eve. "Look," I hissed, feeling angry whenever I was confronted about my morality. I might be poor but I wasn't a freeloader. My hands proved how hard I worked and I was proud of that. One more year and I would get that diploma. I'd work my ass off to get a good life. I never needed much; a steady job, a simple house and a serviceable car was more than enough to make me happy. And I would never go hungry again. I'd get there without help from anyone. "I was only curious. If you think that I'm some gold digger—" He held a hand up. "Will you stop putting words in my mouth? Do you really think I want this life? This... this." He gestured to the whole room. "You think this makes me happy?" His jaw was set, his hands fisted. I fell silent. We both stood there awkwardly, but after a few moments, he opened his mouth again, wiggling his eyebrows as if nothing happened. "Know what, you can do my homework while you're cooking my dinner tonight." So much for that moment. "Hold on," he said. "I didn't even get your name." "Veronica Strafford." "I'm Caleb Lockhart." I didn't smile back, didn't tell him I already knew who he was. Who didn't? I was sure everyone in our college knew about him. "Which university do you attend?" he asked. "Letting me stay here doesn't mean I have to spill my guts, does it?" "You actually did already. In my car, remember?" he pointed out dryly. "Please take a shower. Feel free to borrow my clothes. Even," he grinned, "my underwear." I snorted. We both stood facing each other, unsure, lost in our thoughts. Was I doing the right thing by staying here? Where else would I go? "You can stay in that bedroom where you slept last night. It has its own bathroom." He went behind the counter, distancing himself from me. "I'm leaving soon. Make yourself at home." I nodded, feeling awkward. Was this really for free? How could he leave me alone in his place when he didn't even know me? I could steal him blind for all he knew. "Thank you. I..." I paused, unsure. "Thank you," I repeated, meaning it. He nodded. I turned away from him, biting my lip. Where the hell was that room again? I looked to my left, then to my right. His apartment was enormous and I was in a panic when I left the bedroom. "Problem?" he asked behind me. I jumped, spun around. "I... I forgot where the room is. Just tell me where it is and I'll stay out of your way." I could feel myself blushing. When he didn't reply, I looked up to find him staring at me, smiling. "What?" I demanded. "Geesh, hostile much?" He proceeded in front of me. "Follow me." I walked behind him, trying not to stare at his body too much. I almost yelped when he turned around all of a sudden, then winked at me and said, "Welcome to my place, Red. I hope you enjoy your stay."