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“You think I want to invest in you because we’re sleeping together?” I try to stop another round of laughter because I don’t think I can take it. “You really think I’m so careless with my money that I’d throw that much of it on a bad investment because ofsex?”
I take another moment to compose myself and face her. “Annie, honey. If I invested in everyone I’ve ever slept with, I’d have nothing left.”
She narrows her eyes at me, and then turns and stomps away. “Ass!”
“Annie, come on,” I say, smiling. I walk after her, easily catching up. “You kind of walked into that one.”
“You don’t have to throw it in my face.”
I stop her with a hand around her arm, and she spins to face me.
No more laughter this time. “I wasn’t throwing it in your face, okay? I was just being honest. Look at me,” I say gently.
When she doesn’t, I reach out and cup her chin, tilting her head up to mine.
She lets out a frustrated sigh but doesn’t pull away.
I study her, watching the way the moonlight dances in her blue eyes, her frustration making her look even more stunning.
She’s genuinely mad at me, which I find amusing, but I can also tell she’s fighting something deeper.
I let my voice soften. “I wasn’t making fun of you.”
She exhales sharply, looking away. “Sure felt like it.”
I shake my head. “I was laughing because it’s insane that you’d think I don’t see your potential. I don’t throw money at just anything, Annie. You think you haven’t proven yourself, but you have.”
She tries to turn away from me, look anywhere else, so I tighten my hold on her chin.
I let the silence settle between us, let her absorb what I’m saying.
Then, I continue. “You designed and created a dress—in a couple of weeks, no less—so stunning that people—wealthy,influential people who are regularly around models and A-listers—were asking about it, admiring it. You have the skill, the eye, the ability. And if what’s stopping you is money or connections, then consider that problem solved. Maybe I haven’t seen a ton of your designs, but ifthat’sthe kind of talent you possess, I want in on the ground floor.”
She swallows hard, her throat bobbing. “I… I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you’ll think about it,” I tell her.
She hesitates, then nods slowly. “I’ll think about it.”
“Good. Let’s walk back.”
She nods again. “Okay.”
I step back and take her hand, lacing my fingers with hers. We make a brief stop at the outside shower so she can wash the sand off her feet before we step inside.
I walk her all the way upstairs, and at the door to her room, she stops and turns to me.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"The walk." She smiles a little. “And all of this. The vacation and everything else.”
"Of course."
She looks down and laughsa little. “I’ll see you tomorrow, I guess.”
She half-turns away, intending to walk into her room.