“Get away from me,” I say so vehemently I almost don’t recognize my own voice. Austin doesn’t either. He takes a step back, holds up both hands.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Claire,” he repeats like if he says it enough times, it’ll mean something. “Just listen to me. I don’t have any money to go back, and if you leave me here, it’s going to be a huge problem for me.”
He takes another step closer. “Look, I’m willing to change. I’m serious. What happened with Jenna, it was just confusion. You’re so f*****g perfect sometimes, Claire, I was looking for realism. That’s it. You’re what I want.”
“I know what you’re here for, Austin.” A small smile touches my lips. “You just want me to pay for your ticket back to New York.” I look him dead in the eye. “You can keep dreaming, asshole.”
I raise my k
