Make Me (Broke and Beautiful #3)(26)

Russell realized his palm was pressed to the side of his face and forced his hand to drop. If she’d only stormed out, calling him every name in the book. That he might have been able to handle. But she’d offered him no-strings-attached sex, and he didn’t know if enough nobility in the world existed for him to pass that up. Not with Abby. Maybe he could say no at that moment, but put her in front of him with her dress off again? He’d be a f*cking goner.

Having a physical relationship with Abby without labeling her as his girlfriend was low. So damn low. Move over Duke Sebastian, there’s a new dickhead in town. But Russell had woken up this morning with a glimmer of hope lodged in his rib cage, refusing to budge. What if. What if. What if. He had the bank meeting next week. If by some miracle he secured the loan, Hart Brothers Construction could go to the next level. It would take a shit ton of hard work, but it would be enough to give a comfortable life to Abby. More comfortable than the one his father had provided his mother. And if Russell could have Abby in his life, he’d work fifteen jobs and still take side gigs.

So, as of now, he had a plan. A plan to be with Abby if everything went exactly right. If he managed to put on a suit and convince the loan officer he was a responsible man with a vision to expand his business, he’d ask her to be patient while he built it into the best damn construction company in New York City. He couldn’t believe he was allowing himself to even consider a future with her, but after yesterday, resistance was futile. He needed Abby.

Now he just had to avoid her until then, so he didn’t f*ck everything up. He couldn’t allow them to become friends with benefits, something that would be beneath her. God, did she really believe that was all he wanted to offer her? Thought he didn’t feel enough to give her the real thing? Knowing that hurt after how close they’d become, but he’d fix it. He’d fix everything soon.

A knock on his truck window sent him shooting up in the driver’s seat, his head hitting the ceiling with a bang. “What the—” He turned to find Ben staring back at him through the window, sipping a paper cup of coffee and looking highly amused. He stepped back when Russell pushed the door open. “What are you on a field trip or something, professor?”

“Nope.” Ben surveyed the construction site. “Although, I have no doubt my English students would learn some colorful language here.”

“Fucking-a.” Russell shut the driver’s side door and leaned against the sun-heated side. “What brings you and those shiny loafers to this neck of the woods?”

“You didn’t answer your cell phone, and I need a head count.”

“For?”

“A road trip to the Hamptons. Tomorrow through Sunday.” Ben shrugged and tossed his now-empty cup into the nearby trash can. “Honey and Roxy came up with the idea, and since I don’t have a death wish, here I stand.”

Russell frowned. “Death wish?”

“Take Abby out of town without telling you? I’d like to keep my anatomy intact.”

“Abby.” Russell stood up straighter. Of course she was going. Those three girls didn’t do anything apart anymore. Except for surprise trips to Queens, apparently. And while he wanted to laugh off Ben’s assumption that he’d blow his top if she went out of town without his knowledge . . . it had been accurate. For the million and first time that day, he wondered where the hell this protectiveness with Abby ended. Did it end? Would it grow? The back of his neck had already started to sweat, just envisioning her in a car driving farther and farther away. “Where did they come up with this idea?”

The way Ben eyed him made Russell nervous about what was coming. “Between you and me, Honey mentioned that Abby’s been stressed. They thought the trip might help—”

“Stressed about what?” Based on Ben’s raised eyebrow, Russell knew he’d shouted the question. Christ, please don’t let it be because of him. It couldn’t be. Could it? She’d seemed tired yesterday, but no more than she had been for the last month. But that was due to work. Right? She’d been working too hard. Why hadn’t he thought of getting her out of town?

Ben gave his shoulder a shove. “I assume from the smoke coming out of your ears that you’ve decided to join?”

He was supposed to be avoiding her, dammit. The timing couldn’t have been worse. When he noticed Ben watching him curiously, he stalled. “Uh. Where is everyone staying?” Where will Abby be staying? Will she be safe?

“That’s kind of the crazy part.” Ben adjusted his glasses. “Honey was all set to book some affordable motel until Abby casually mentioned her family owns an estate in Southampton. A big one. We’re staying there.”

Russell’s stomach sank to the ground. An estate in Southampton. He could work seven days a week for the rest of his life and never give her that. Was there even a point in trying? Yeah. Fuck yeah there was . . . it was Abby. But he needed more time. He’d had a damn plan up until a minute ago. Now he was facing two days of being in the same house with Abby, knowing she was sleeping down the hall and wanting to continue what they’d started. A nightmare and a dream come true, rolled together in a ball of total mindf*ckery.

“Look, I checked, and there are enough bedrooms for you to keep Abby in the friend zone. If that’s what you want.” When Russell only stayed quiet, Ben laughed. “I don’t know what’s going on with you, man, but if Honey was going to be in a bikini on the beach, the only single girl in the bunch, I’d be shitting a brick.”