will buy them at a fair price but you may wish to take further advice.’
Willow groaned out loud. ‘Oh, Jai… I don’t think you’re likely to cheat me!’
‘Very well. The books will be packed for you and collected later this morning and I will pay you in cash as that may be more convenient for you right now,’ Jai murmured levelly. ‘Will you allow me to pay for you to stay in a hotel until you get on your feet again?’
‘Would you be offering me that option if you hadn’t slept with me last night?’ Willow asked suspiciously.
His eyes clashed with her sceptical appraisal. ‘Yes.’
‘No. Thanks, but no,’ Willow told him without hesitation. ‘I don’t mind staying with Shelley for a while.’
‘Will you accept any further assistance from me?’ Jai enquired.
‘I’d prefer not to,’ Willow responded truthfully.
‘Life isn’t always that straightforward,’ Jai replied wryly as he settled his business card on the table. ‘If at any time you need help, you can depend on me to deliver it, no strings attached. Phone me if you are in need.’
‘And why would you make me an offer like that?’ Willow demanded shortly.
‘I wish you well,’ Jai admitted levelly.
Willow spun around in a rather ungainly circle and went to open the front door. ‘I’ll get by fine without you,’ she told him with a defiantly bright smile. ‘But thanks for caring.’
And on that hollow note, Jai departed. As soon as he was gone, Willow felt empty, exhausted and horribly hurt. She would never see him again except in newspapers or magazines at some glamorous or important event, but that was for the best because Jai had rejected her on every level. He had switched back to treating her like a distant acquaintance, whom he was willing to help in times of trouble, smoothly distancing himself from their brief intimacy.
He not only regretted sleeping with her, but also suspected that she had slept with him because she had once been infatuated with him. He had made mincemeat out of her pride and humiliated her.
Goodbye, Jai, she thought numbly. Goodbye and good riddance!
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