“Of course.”
“Then trust me when I say the limit is higher than anyone I know could ever afford to repay.”
She frowned. “Hmm. I don’t have much cash on me.”
“How much is not much?”
She opened her tiny handbag and pulled out her purse.
I could already see a few fifties peeking out the top of her purse. Not much. It was almost impossible to believe how meaningless money was to her.
“Um, so I’ve got about three hundred.”
I sighed. “Oh, is that all?”
“I know. It’s not nearly enough.”
For a moment, I stared at her, wondering how she hadn’t picked up on the sarcasm in my voice. “Trust me, it’s plenty. Let’s go.”
After showing her out of my apartment, I led her around the corner to Bekah’s front door. I banged on the wood. “Beks, you ready?”
She yanked open the door and stuck her face through the gap. Her shoulder length hair went from black at the roots to a bright purple at the end. She wore a tank top and a pair of Daisy Dukes.
“Boo!” Her eyes widened for a moment and then she started to laugh. “Oh, ha ha, very funny. Is this the important person you wanted me to meet?”
Although I wasn’t sure what exactly Bekah meant, I decided to push on with the introductions. “Bekah, this is Soleil—”
“Sure it is.”
“Soleil Peyton,” Soleil introduced herself as she offered her hand.
Ignoring the outstretched hand, Bekah rolled her eyes. “This is a new low, even for you, Cliffy.”
“What do you mean new low?”
“Do you think I came down in the last shower? Are you honestly trying to tell me you expected me to be impressed by a discount Soleil Peyton impersonator? Honestly, the thing that surprises me the most is that you know the gossip mags enough to get even a passable knock-off.”
Soleil’s hands found her hips. “Passable knock-off?”
It became clear why Bekah was acting like something of an arse in an instant. “You think I’m pranking you?”
“No. I think that Soleil Peyton, billionaire heiress and most eligible bachelorette in New York City stayed with you last night because that just makes so much sense.”
“I’m glad that makes sense because that’s exactly what happened.”
Bekah grabbed her handbag and pulled the door shut behind her. “Sure. Well, if you want to pretend, then I’ll play along. Just know that you didn’t get me. Sorry, lady, I’m sure you’re really lovely, but you don’t fool me for a second. I’ve followed the real Soleil in the gossip mags for years.”
“Not that I need to prove a thing to you, but I can show you my passport if that’s what it will take for you to believe your friend.”
I spun to Soleil. “Why do you have your passport on you when you left everything else back . . . wherever you were staying?”
A tic ran over her face before she set her smile firmly back in place. “It’s the easiest form of ID for me to carry around with me.”
“Enough of the joke. Are we heading to lunch, or not?” Bekah asked, moving toward the stairs. “I want to get a table before the rush. You’re welcome to join us, uh, sorry what was your name?”
Soleil glanced at me as if seeking support before saying, “Soleil.”
Bekah moved into the stairwell. “I’ll give you one thing you’re good at staying in character. Maybe next time try not to go for the cheap extensions.”
Soleil looked like she was about to launch herself at Bekah, so I stepped between them. “Beks, that’s her. I swear on my mother’s grave.”
The warmth of Soleil’s curious gaze burned the side of my face.
Bekah raised one brow. “Your mother isn’t dead.”
“She might as well be,” I muttered, before adding a little louder, “Call it a pre-emptive swear if you want, but I’m not lying.”
“Okay, let’s pretend I believe you for a while. What is Soleil Peyton doing in Brisbane?”
“I’m over here for college.”
“University,” I corrected her.
“University. I convinced my father to let me come over here rather than staying in the States.”
“Is that right?” Bekah’s voice held an amusement I recognised as her version of scepticism. “So if you’re here to study, how on earth did you end up with this bozo?”
“Soleil wanted—”
Soleil’s elbow poked my ribs. When I turned to find out why, she gave me a death stare.
“I saw him in the bar and thought he was cute,” she said.
Bekah laughed. “Now you’ve really blown your cover. The real Soleil gets to meet the crème de la crème of Manhattan’s elite, I highly doubt there would be anything about Cliffy that would interest her.”
“Hey!” I protested. “I’m not that bad.”
“For some Aussie sheila in a pub maybe you’re not, but for someone the calibre of a Peyton . . .” She let the insinuation hang between the three of us.
My nose curled and my blood boiled. It was true of course—it was what I’d thought after catching my first glimpse of Soleil at the party—but that didn’t mean I wanted to hear it.
“I think Ty is rather sweet.”
“He’s no real estate mogul,” Bekah continued.
Soleil stopped dead in her tracks. “I thought you were supposed to be his friend.”
Bekah stopped as well and turned to her with a shocked expression. “Of course I’m his friend. Who are you to suggest otherwise?”
“I’ve already told you who I am. It’s not my fault if you’re too foolish to believe me.” As soon as the words were free, Soleil flounced down the rest of the stairs.
“Where did you find her?” Bekah asked.
“At the club last night.”
A questioning expression crossed Bekah’s face. “What’s going on here?”
“I’ll explain at lunch.”
“Is it really . . .?”
I shrugged. “You can make up your own mind about that, I guess.”
Chapter 6
THE THREE OF us walked to the Metro Centre in Fortitude Valley to get some lunch. Normally I wouldn’t have splurged on takeaway, but I had shit all in the house until I went grocery shopping and I needed my paycheque from the night before for that.
Soleil glanced around the busy food court with wide eyes. “I don’t know about this, Ty. It’s a little busy isn’t it?”
“It’s a food court in the middle of the Valley. Even if someone sees you, I don’t think they’ll believe it’s actually you.”
“I’d feel better if I had some sunglasses and a scarf.”
I snorted. “Yeah, because that would make you so inconspicuous in this crowd.”
She glanced around at the people hustling all around us. There was an eclectic mix of jeans, power suits, deliberate Boho-chic, and vagrant wear surrounding us. Even in that mix, no one dared to wear a scarf around their head in the Australian summer. One old lady circled the food court, checking each of the bins for anything edible.
“What’s she doing?” Soleil asked.
“Surviving. The only way she can. Let’s get some food.” I didn’t mean to be heartless, but I had nothing to give her.
Bekah was conspicuously quiet as she watched Soleil carefully.
“What do you want?” I asked the two of them.
“What’s good?” Soleil asked.
“I could murder some KFC,” Bekah said.
“KFC? What’s that?” Soleil asked.
Bekah pressed her hand to her heart as her mouth fell open. “You're not serious, are you? How can you not know the wonder that is fried chicken?”
“I’ve had fried chicken. Rosetta has made it for me.”
“Rosetta?” I asked, certain I didn’t want to know.
“Our chef.”
I shook my head as she confirmed my suspicions. “KFC it is. You can tell Rosetta all about it when you get home.”
We lined up in the queue for the KFC kiosk. Soleil stood slightly in front of Bekah and me. Bekah elbowed my side.
“Is it really her?” she mouthed.
I nodded and continued our silent conversation, mouthing. “It really is.”
“How on earth did that happen?”
“I’ll explain it all while we eat.”
“Do you know what you want?” Soleil asked me.
“Whatever is the cheapest thing on the menu,” I said, only half joking.
“What would you like?” Soleil asked Bekah.
“Why?”
“I’ll pay. Let it be my thank you for welcoming me into your lives.”
“Soleil, you can’t afford to treat everyone if you’re going to live a normal life.”
“One last treat on my card.” She pulled out her purse and a black credit card.
“Holy shit!” Bekah exclaimed before closing her mouth and pretending that she hadn’t said anything.
“Be cool,” I growled. Soleil had expressed concerns about being too public, and I didn’t want to stress her out.
Bekah narrowed her eyes and tilted her head to the side. After a moment, a mischievous smile twisted her lips. It was clear what she thought she saw, especially when she formed her hands into a little love heart.
“No!” I mouthed.
She started to make kissy faces at me.
My fists clenched at my side. “Beks, stop!”
Soleil spun to both of us. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” Bekah said. “Cliffy and I were just working out what we wanted.”
We were called to the counter and gave our orders one at a time. Soleil ordered last and ordered two meals.
“I don’t think you realise how much food that is,” I said—thinking of the numerous other things I could’ve done with the money she was about to waste on a second meal she wouldn’t need.
“I think you’re underestimating me,” Soleil fired back before paying for the four meals.
After placing our order, we stood to the side waiting for the staff to put it all together. Bekah’s gaze shifted between Soleil and me, but I didn’t say anything more. When our number was called, I stepped forward to grab one of the trays, and Bekah did the same before pointing out a table.
“Just one second,” Soleil said, lifting the extra meal she’d ordered from the tray Bekah carried. “I’ll be back.”
With the food in her hands, Soleil moved to the old woman who’d been bin-diving. They said a few words to each other, and Soleil gave the woman the meal. The woman patted her cheek and nodded a few times as they exchanged a few more words.
Soleil made her way back over to our side. “Are we getting that table or not?”
Bekah came back to life first, shaking herself free and nodded. The two of them headed into the crowd to get to the table Bekah had pointed out. It was only after the two of them were a good few metres in front of me that I was able to fight free of the shock.
Beautiful and generous. Maybe I did judge her too soon . . .
I rushed after them, setting the tray on the table seconds after they’d both settled.
“So you’re really her, aren’t you?” Bekah asked. “I mean, it’s not every day someone pulls out a black card.”
“Maybe you need to learn to take people at face value.”
I snickered. “Yeah, that doesn’t work when you’re poor. Too many people are too willing to fuck you over.”
“Only be your friend because of what you can buy them,” Soleil retaliated.
“Touché.”
“Seriously then, how did you two meet?” Bekah asked before shovelling a chip into her mouth. “And why the fuck are you staying in our shitty building?”
Soleil and I took turns explaining what had happened the night before, and the agreement we’d come to—except the money aspect. Soleil made it very clear that she didn’t want to mention that part of our discussions based on her early actions and the way she talked around the subject.
“What’s in it for you?” Bekah asked me, no doubt understanding there was usually no way I would agree to such a hair-brained scheme without some incentive.
“Let’s just call it community service,” I said.
“Oh, I’ll bet you’re servicing the community.”
“No, I—”
Soleil put her hand on mine. “It’s okay, Ty. You can tell Bekah, but only if she promises to keep it quiet.”
Bekah drew a little cross over her left boob.
“I need to go powder my nose,” Soleil said after a moment.
“Do you want me to come stand guard?” I asked. As soon as the words were free, I wondered why the fuck I’d said them. Wasn’t that exactly what I’d decided I didn’t want to do?
“I think I can manage to make it to the restrooms and back on my own. Besides, I get the impression you two need to talk.”
As soon as she’d moved off, Bekah leaned over to me. “Holy shit! That’s really Soleil Peyton. Do you know the gold mine you’re sitting on right now?”
“What’re you talking about?”
“The local magazines would pay a fortune for some intimate photos or interesting information about a Peyton. The international ones would pay even more. We’re talking tens, maybe even hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
I frowned at the suggestion. Yes, I needed money, I might’ve even agreed to house Soleil for two weeks in exchange for ten thousand dollars, but I had my principles. “Beks, I’m not going to sell her out.”
She grinned so wide it split her face from ear to ear. “I knew it.”
I decided it would be easiest to play dumb. “Knew what?”
“You’ve got it so bad for her.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “I don’t have anything for her.”
“Sure you do. You’re never one to pass up a paycheque or get rich quick scheme. Then one walks in wrapped in Hervé Léger, and you ignore it completely.”
“Getting rich when it doesn’t ruin someone’s life is one thing. Soleil doesn’t deserve—”
Bekah gave a little head shake, no doubt to indicate that Soleil was returning. I swivelled in the chair to look at her. A smile grew on my face, and my heart raced as I watched her cross the food court back to my side.
I began to see the truth in Bekah’s words. I was well and truly fucked. There might have been some emotion growing stronger with every minute I spent around Soleil. In two weeks, she’d leave. Abandoning me to return to her life of luxury, proving how worthless our time together was to her.
It was exactly the reason I didn’t get involved in anything too long term, and I broke up with anyone I started to develop anything too deep for. Women only hurt you if you let them in. Still, I’d made a promise, and I needed to keep it long enough to earn my paycheque.
“Are you ready to go shopping?” I asked, even though the idea of going on a trip to the shops was the last thing I really wanted to do.
“You got him to agree to go shopping with you?” Bekah asked. “We’re going to have to talk so you can give me all your tips. He refuses to take me shopping.”
“Because the last time I did, you snuck a necklace down the back of my pants and I had to spend an hour trying to explain to security that it was a prank.”
Bekah laughed. “Good times.”
I threw a chip at her.
She plucked it off her chest, looked at it for a moment and then shoved it into her mouth.
“You can come with us if you like?” Soleil offered.
“Are you trying to get me locked up?” I asked. “Did you not just hear my story?”
“It might be nice to have a feminine opinion on the clothes.”
“Usually I’d jump at the chance, but unfortunately I’ve got to get to work.”
“Oh. Okay. Next time.”
Bekah nodded. “If you’re paying, you can have me for as long as you like. I’m going to leave you two to it. I’ll catch you later.”
<
br /> “Why don’t you come over after you finish your shift tonight?” I asked. “We can have a few drinks.”
“Sounds good. I’ll call you once I’ve finished.”
I hopped up and gave her a farewell hug.
“Don’t let him bully you into buying anything ugly,” Bekah said as she waved goodbye to Soleil.
“Okay, so where are the boutiques?”
I laughed. “Uh-uh.”
“What?”
“You’re living the life I do now. There are no such words as boutique, designer, unlimited, or credit in your vocabulary anymore. I gave you a pass on lunch, but now the money in your purse is everything you’ve got to spend until you go back to your other life.”
“Three hundred dollars for two weeks? How is that supposed to work?”
“With a budget.”
She frowned. “That’s not even enough for a decent pair of shoes.”
“It’s enough where I’m taking you. Now you have a choice—we can drive or take a train.”
“I think I’d prefer to drive.”
“Okay, let’s go,” I said, wondering if she thought she was too good for public transport. Then again, perhaps it was easier to drive anyway. Otherwise, I’d be left carting whatever she purchased home on the train.
I led her back to my apartment building, but we went down the stairs to the basement parking instead of up to the apartment.
When we pushed open the door to the garage, Bobby was coming back in.
“Afternoon, Bob,” I said. “I’d like you to meet—”
“I don’t need to meet every girl you bring home on a whim.” He headed up the stairs without looking back.
“Pleasure seeing you again, Bob!” I shouted after him.
“Is he always that rude?”
“Rude? That was downright pleasant for Bobby boy.” I nodded toward my old ute. “That’s my ride there.”
She beat me to the car, walking straight to the driver side.
“Other side, sweetheart. You’re in Australia now.”
I’d just unlocked my door when she tugged on the handle of the passenger door. Trying not to lose it over her impatience, I leaned across the cabin and unlocked her door.
New Love Page 24