Page 25 of Slumming It

What a liar.From what I'd read of his history, he'd taken plenty of chances when it came to real estate. It was true that his risky ventures had all paid off, but I still didn't appreciate the implication that I was some kind of gossip. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone."

"I'm notworried," he said. "I'm careful. This agreement – I'll hold you to it."

Careful?

Hah!I'd seen a video of him sky-diving for God's sake. Mister Cautious, he wasn't.

I was on the verge of mentioning this when he glanced toward the door and said, "Now, get out."

I stiffened. "That's a little rude. Don't you think?"

"I do," he agreed with no trace of a smile. "But you've been here long enough."

"Yeah, but—"

"And you're a fake bed buddy, not a real one."

My cheeks warmed at the implication. The way he said it, you'd think Iwantedto jump in his bed. I gave the loudest scoff I could muster. "Idorealize that."

"Good," he said. "Remember that, and we'll be fine. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got somewhere else to be."

Well, at least he'd said "excuse me."Besides,Ihad somewhere else to be, too – meaning out of this room. But I couldn’t leave without asking, "So when do I start?"

"Tomorrow. As soon as you sign."

"Right." I summoned up a smile. "I'll see you tomorrow then."

He didn’t smile back. "Noon. Don't be late."

"I won't." I turned to go, hoping to make a quick exit before he changed his mind.

I was halfway to the door when he asked, "Forgetting something?"

I stopped and turned to look at him. "Like what?"

He flicked his head toward the bed. "Your cellphone."

"Oh. Right." I scurried toward the bed and dropped down onto the carpet. I eased my upper body just far enough under the bed to spot my long-forgotten phone. I grabbed it, shimmied back out again, and stood once again to face him.

He held out his hand, palm up. "Lemme see it."

"My phone?" I made no move. "Why?"

"Because I'm gonna erase the files."

"What files?"

"Pictures, video, audio – whatever else you took while under the bed."

"But I didn't take any of those things, honest."

"Good." He was still holding out his hand. "Now gimme the phone so I can check." When Istillbalked, he added, "It's non-negotiable."

I didn't want to do it – not because I had anything to hide, but because the contents of my cellphone were none of his business. But then I recalled why I'd been under his bed in the first place. I'd been trying to prevent others from doing the exact same thing that he was accusing me of now.

Talk about unfair.

I gave him a no-nonsense look. "Have you ever considered that maybeI'mnot the person you need to worry about?"