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But the second my eyes meet hers, the words die on my tongue.

I can’t do it.

Not now.

I’m in too deep, and the last thing she needs is more stress in her condition.

“Fuckety fuck,” I whisper under my breath as I start pacing again.

“Poppy!”

I glance at her. “Did he say what time he was going there?”

She lifts one shoulder. “He could be there now, I don’t know.” I tip my head back, managing to swallow down the groan just in time. “Are you upset that I asked him to help?”

I blow out a puff of air. “No ... a little. I was going to get it fixed in the next couple of weeks when I had some spare cash.”

“You’re working yourself to the bone trying to pay off the loan against the house, juggling two jobs and studying at the same time. The last thing I wanted was for you to have one more thing to worry about.”

“That mortgage is my debt. It’s helping me get my degree. Besides, things are still newish with Riley. I don’t want him to think I’m taking advantage of him.”

“He didn’t. I offered to pay for any parts he might need. There’s a hundred dollars in my top drawer in my bedroom at home, use that.”

“Oh, Nanna,” I say, stepping up to the bed and reaching for her hand. “Let me worry about this, okay? You need to concentrate on getting better.”

“I’m never going to get better, sweet girl. You and I both know that. It’s time you let someone take care of you.”

“You’ve taken care of me my entire life.”

“And I always will, even when I’m not here.” Her fingers tighten around mine. “But I mean Riley. You need to let him in, Poppy. You can’t keep carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders and pretending you don’t need anyone.” Her words have my throat tightening. “You have a good man wanting to be part of your life. Let him. Let someone share the load with you. It doesn’t make you weak to accept help. It means you’ve found someone worth trusting.”

“Nanna …”

A soft smile pulls at her lips. “Go home, baby. Go spend some time with your boyfriend. I’ll still be here tomorrow.”

There’s so much I want to say ... so much I should say, but instead, all that comes out is, “Are you sure?”

I desperately need to get home, but not for the reasons she thinks. She might trust Riley—or whatever his real name is—but the cold, hard truth is, neither of us knows him. We don’t know anything about him or what he’s capable of.

The thought of a complete stranger having access to our home sends a chill down my spine.

As soon as I step off the bus, I shove my arms through the straps of my backpack and break into a jog.

By the time I arrive at the house, my heart is hammering in my chest, and not just because I’ve run the entire way.

I wasn’t sure what I would find when I got here, but it certainly wasn’t the canary-yellow Lamborghini parked in my grandparents’ driveway.

I stare at it for a moment, a strange mix of disbelief, irritation, and curiosity washing over me. Because whoever my fake boyfriend is, he clearly isn’t the plumber Nanna believes him to be.

Then again, considering he was wearing a suit that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe when he inserted himself into this disaster, I probably shouldn’t be surprised.

My feet keep moving across the lawn and up the front steps. He could be ransacking the house as I speak. Or maybe he’s sitting patiently in a dark corner, ready to pounce the second I walk through the door. Either scenario should make me stop and think, but I’m so angry with him that my better judgment has been shoved onto the back burner.

I find the front door open, and hear boisterous laughter drifting through the screen door, which only heightens my annoyance.

Is he having a party in there?

I shove the screen door open and step inside, ready to tear strips off him, only to stop short when I see water spraying across the kitchen in a glittering arc, soaking the cabinets, the floor, and one very expensive-looking suit.