Nathan opens his hands. “So what?”
“So…?” I roll my eyes. How can he not see this? What’s his angle? “You’re a friggin’ billionaire, Nathan. Don’t you have anything better to do than chase a simple dancer like me? Like closing some gigantic business deal or something? Didn’t I make it clear that I won’t be hopping into your bed no matter how much money you flash?”
Nathan’s mouth twitches as if he’s trying to hide a smile “Yes, crystal clear.”
“Then why are you so eager to fill your luxury ride with my dirt-covered seedlings? Don’t you know that soil can leave permanent stains on your precious upholstery?”
I don’t know whether I’m trying to make him see the absurdity of his actions or whether I’m arguing against my own tempting self that keeps whispering inappropriate thoughts into my ear. The only thing that’s sure now is that Nathan must have an ulterior motive with his chivalry. He just has to.
Nathan throws back his head and bursts into a whole-hearted laugh. “It’s incredible,” he says after catching his breath. “You’re like a whiff of fresh air, Eva. So piercingly honest and to the point.”
“Oh, yeah? Then why are you chuckling about what I just said?” I narrow my eyes.
“Because you’re perfectly right. But if you just factor in one other aspect, the whole picture changes, I assure you.”
“What aspect?”
“That I’m truly interested in spending time with you. I was when I made that invitation after your dance performance. And I am now. It doesn’t matter if I have to get these flowers into my trunk. They can even land on my backseat. I don’t care about stains. My car gets cleaned every day anyway. Having money does come with a few perks.” He winks.
I should’ve guessed that someone would be sprucing up his car each morning. But I wasn’t suggesting that Nathan would clean the stains himself. My point was…
Okay, if I’m honest, I don’t know anymore what it was. The unshakable certainty in Nathan’s voice when he said he was interested in me, or at least in spending time with me—which kind of boils down to the same thing—has left me with a brain-freeze.
It takes me at least five seconds, a real borderline-explicit sign that his words have affected me more than I’d like, to gather my wits and utter, “Right. How handy that you have people to take care of that for you.”
“Indeed, it is. So, Eva…Do I have your permission to assist you? Or shall I go and tell Cathy that you’ll leave your flowers here?”
To say that I’m torn would be an understatement. If I give in, it’s like I’m backing out on my previous position. It’s not so much a question of pride that makes me reluctant. More a question of trust. Do I trust Nathan enough to believe that he means well and has honest intentions?
I’m not sure.
At the same time, it would be great to bring these seedlings home and surprise Abuelita.
I point my finger at him and then at the store’s door. “Why was Cathy so insistent about you driving me? Did you agree with her on it before coming out to me?”
Nathan snorts. “You might be slightly paranoid. No, I think Cathy just wants you to take those begonias away today. But perhaps…” His mouth moves into a lopsided grin. “She also finds me charming. I know you don’t, but some women actually do.”
Stupid heart. Stop stuttering.
I flash an aren’t-you-so-cute smile at Nathan, just to show that I couldn’t care less about the second part of his reasoning.
And I couldn’t.
At least the reasonable part of me. The jitterbug that my heart has been doing since Nathan said he’s interested in me is irrelevant. Which is why I can safely accept his offer, right? I need a hand, and Nathan wants to help. So why not use him? It’s true that Mom always warned me about dating wealthy guys. But she’s never said anything about accepting their help to carry my gardening purchases.
“Very well, Nathan.” I nod. “I’d be grateful if you can help me take these plants home.”
Nathan pumps his fist in the air, and I almost giggle at his victorious gesture.
“Good decision. I’ll go tell Cathy.” He turns and darts to the shop.
“Wait, she said she would be back so you don’t need to…” I call after him, but the door has already slammed behind Nathan’s wide shoulders.
I sigh and blink at the flowers.
Abuelita will be pleased about them. And since she won’t be back before dinner, she won’t run into Nathan while we’re unloading them either. So my concession shouldn’t have far-reaching consequences. It’s just a quick lift home, and then I’ll send Nathan away.
Chapter 10
(Eva)
“Where shall I put these for you?” Nathan switches off the engine and points toward the backseat at the large crates filled with begonia pots.
We’re back in front of my house. My eyes dart to Señor Moreno’s window, but his blinds are shut, which means he’s gone into town for his usual chess game.
“It’s okay, I’ll carry them in myself.”
Nathan blinks at my arms, then gives me a mocking smirk. “You wouldn’t be able to lift them if you tried.”
He’s probably right. The wooden crates are extremely heavy. But they wouldn’t be if Nathan hadn’t decided to go behind my back with Cathy. I furrow my brows. “If you had just let me take the twenty seedlings I was planning to purchase, then maybe—”
“Ah, Eva!” Nathan shakes his head. “Let’s not start this discussion again. I wanted to gift a few begonias to you. That isn’t a crime, is it? It’s not a precious stone. Just flowers.”
“Not a few!” I exclaim indignantly as I push the door open and hop out.
Nathan jumps out too and opens his trunk.
I point my chin at the three other crates that come into sight, as if they confirm my point.
Which they do. When Nathan went into Cathy’s store, not only did he tell my friend that
