Page 64 of A Million To Fall

I look down, shame creeping in. “Yeah, I’m… trying to save up for a place.”

She cocks her head to the side. “That can’t be easy. You must be exhausted. All that work, all that stress, and no place to really land.”

Her hand slips lower, brushing along my ribs, toward my hip.

“I can help,” she murmurs. “I have money. More than I know what to do with.”

Something in me locks up.

She steps in closer, her chest brushing against me, perfume too sweet in my nose.

Her voice dips again, almost teasing. “Have you ever been with someone my age, Boston?”

I shake my head slightly.

“That’s a shame.” Her hand glides to the front of my jeans, resting there like she has every right. “Why don’t you come to my room tonight? I’ll make it worth your while,” she whispers, giving me a gentle squeeze. Just enough to remind me that I’m standing here in nothing but skin and bone and desperation.

“I promise, I’ll make sure your body is… thoroughly appreciated,” she whispers. “How does five hundred sound?”

Her words slam into me, blunt as a baseball bat.

Five hundred dollars. Clean. Fuck.

That’s a week of work. Food. A dent in the deposit for an apartment. A step closer to Cassie and Bronx.

I don’t know what to say. I just stand there, my mind spinning in a dozen directions. Confusion. Survival. Shame.

She rises onto her toes and leans in, her lips grazing my ear. “You don’t have to decide now. Just think about it.”

Then, with a final squeeze, she plucks her phone from the counter and walks out of the kitchen.

I stand there, shell-shocked, the water still in my hand.

Did that really just happen?

It’s midnight when Pacey decides to take a less-than-sober Jonathan home, while Lily offers Jake’s date a ride. Guess Jake’s not interested enough to seal the deal tonight.

“We’re gonna head out, too,” Archer announces loudly, making the decision for Skye without so much as looking at her. “I’m gonna use the bathroom and then we can leave,” he tells her. Skye nods sweetly.

“Any chance I’ll see you before next Tuesday?” she asks me, a contagious smile on her lips.

I grin. “I’m working at AJ’s tomorrow night. If you guys stop by, I’ll come say hey.”

And now I’ll probably get my hopes up that I’ll get to see her tomorrow.

Great.

Her smile widens, soft and bright, and for a second, I almost forget we’re not alone.

“Skye,” Archer snaps from down the hall. “Let’s go.”

She nods, then leans down and hugs me.

I inhale her—the scent of strawberries and spring wrapping around me—exactly how I remember, except even more intoxicating.

But I don’t get to keep her for long. She startles like I zapped her with electricity, then straightens, a blush blooming across her cheeks. “See you later, Boss.”

I nod, watching her spin around, auburn hair swishing with the motion. She walks out past Archer, who just glares at me, then slams the door shut behind them.