Page 11 of Bribed by the Billionaire Bad Boy

“I’m fine,” she murmurs. “I know better than to trust those words, and yet you say them so confidently.”

I reach for her hand, cupping it, and smile. “To be fair, I’m not the one about to face-plant into my spaghetti.” I wasn’t even put on the schedule for work today. Lex’s offer would help so much. Maybe with the extra cash I could even encourage Mom to take a little time off herself.

Honestly. What is a little terror and embarrassment compared to doing something I’ve always wanted to do and being able to better take care of my mom because of it?

I still don’t completely understand his interest in the situation, but if he really brings that contract in on Wednesday and it’s legit, I’m not going to hold back.

I’ll be Harriet. I’ll bebrilliantand brave and bold just like she is—at least until opening night.

Lex

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Calypso twirls the end of one braid between her fingers while she reads over the contract I wrote last night. Something has changed since we last talked.

Determination coats the firm expression on her face.

Instead of doubt and disbelief, she seems almost as serious as I am about this.

“I take it you’ve decided you do want this job,” I note after a moment.

Her blue eyes flick up to meet mine, then she scans the quiet gazebo around us. Right after Mr. D’plume’s class, where we spent our time going over our new play and discussing the roles that each student wants to audition for, I invited her to this little spot right outside Grazioso Hall.

She didn’t put up a fuss like I expected her to.

Setting the contract down, she laces her fingers atop it, like she is about to make a business deal. “I still don’t understand why it matters to you. I do, however, appreciate the legal obligation you’ve included that states at no point in time will this arrangement be used for lewd purposes or to mock.”

Stated verbatim.

I lift a shoulder. “It’s rare I meet someone like me. I don’t intend to harm you. I want to get to know you, if possible.”

“Is this how rich people make friends? Through commissions and contracts?” A dainty brow rises above her thick glasses. “And what if you’re mistaken about us being alike in any manner? This is an awful lot of money to—”

“I’ve spent more on less.” I’m not completely sure what the statement is supposed to convey—arrogance or ignorance are the top contenders, however. “I’d also say this is more how richpeople coerce. Paying people to be your friends is sad.”

“It is.” She takes me in, slowly, from my hair to where the picnic table between us saws me in half, then back up to my head. The rush of red I saw so much the day we met flushes her cheeks, and I would do anything for a peek inside her thoughts right now. She murmurs, “I’m not an investment. You gain nothing through the success or failure of this play. Is there anyspecificreason you’re doing this?”

The way she asks makes it seem like the right answer is to say “yes.” Unfortunately, the most specific reason I have is that my brain works by jumping from one twisted sort of interest to the next, and it has landed on her. I want to see what she’s capable of.

“Do you think I’m unreasonable?” I ask.

“Absolutely,” she states, without hesitation.

I roll my eyes, tapping the contract. “Do you think this is unreasonable?”

“Without a doubt. Who does this? In what universe is it normal and reasonable for someone to coerce someone else to act in a college play by means of a literal contract?” Calypso huffs a breath, dragging her gaze off me. “I mean, I do recognize that you’re practically an alien, but still.”

Practically an alien? What made her come up with that one?

“I have a comment about the hours clause that I want clarified before we walk to the bank.”

We will not bewalkingto the bank. Nevertheless, I raise my brows and indicate for her to proceed.

“It states that in addition to all usual class time and required rehearsals, you are entitled to up to ten hours a week of my time, within reason and only during hours that I would have been at work.” Perfectly recited. After what must have been only a single read-through. “You never mentioned anything like that Monday.”

“I’m an acting major. I want to make sure all my performances go above and beyond. That clause is just in case we need to work more together outside of allotted class time.” Folding my arms, I grin. “We can’t be subpar. I want us to be brilliant. It’s stated I’ll handle any commute costs or means, and it’s only if necessary.”

Her lips pinch, disappearing into her mouth as she considers what I’ve just said. “It doesn’t specify any relation to the play.”