Chapter 54: Lovers, Part 2

Michael

"So why don't you? What's the problem? You think it might scare her off; trying to give her an expensive present? Too much, too soon?"

.... Of course it is....

But I'm feeling contrary, not wanting him to tell me what I can or can't give her....

He scratches his forehead. "Well, yes… partly that.... but also, at Christmas, before you arrived, we had a conversation, she and I.... She's a bit sensitive about what we think of her."

"James, I'm sorry, but I'm not following you."

He takes a deep breath. "She was upset because I'd paid for her.... services.... in the first place and she was worrying that we think of her as.... a professional...."

Oh, crap....

"What? Of course, we don't.... Well I don't...." I cock my head at him in question.

"No, I don't either!" he snaps. "We both know why she did what she did, needing the money for the best possible reason; raising funds for her own education."

He's scratching his head again. "I have to say that her mood was....