Read How (Not) to Fall in Love for Free Online

your valuable items and loan you cash based on a percentage of the value.” He snorted. “A very small percentage, but still, it’s something.”
    I frowned. “What do you mean ‘loan’? I just want to sell the stuff.”
    “They buy things, too, so you could walk into a pawn shop right now and come out with cash. But if you do a loan, you could buy your jewelry back. Eventually.”
    “I doubt I’d ever be able to come up with the money to buy my stuff back,” I muttered.
    He sighed. “I wish I could help with your car.”
    “It’s all right,” I said. “I’m getting used to the bus.” I hesitated. “And that’s not why I came here, to ask you for money. I really wanted to see you.” I glanced back toward the shelf of shakers. “And those are awesome. They look just like the ones you drew on my birthday cards.” I bit my lip. “I kept those, too.”
    Some of the sadness left Charlie’s eyes, making my own heart lift. We sat in silence, taking each other in, until I heard a door slam somewhere in the back, and Lucas emerged from behind the curtains, like an actor ready for an encore. He had a to-go cup in each hand, and sat down right freaking next to me.
    “Here.” He slid a cup toward me. “Liz insisted, when I told her Charlie’s niece was here.” He glanced at Charlie, grinning. “You’re lucky she’s busy over there or she’d have crashed your private party way before I did.”
    Charlie laughed. “This is one day I’m glad she’s short-staffed.” He smiled at me. “I’ll introduce you to her, Darcy, but I’m not done talking to you yet.”
    I held the cup to my nose and sniffed. “Hazelnut coffee?” I glanced at Lucas.
    “Her call, not mine,” he said. “I would’ve guessed something more complicated for you. Lots of half-caf, low-fat, double sprinkles, stuff like that.”
    His eyes sparked with laughter, but I wasn’t amused. “You think I’m high-maintenance?”
    He lifted a shoulder. I narrowed my eyes. Just because he’d picked me up in my stupid country club house didn’t mean he could make assumptions.
    “I would’ve ordered black coffee,” I lied. He didn’t need to know about my strawberries and creme Frappucino obsession. With double sprinkles.
    Charlie pointed to his ancient coffee pot. “I have plenty of that.”
    “Um.” I bit my lip and turned away from Lucas’s smirk. “I’m okay with water. And hazelnut.”
    Lucas laughed next to me as Toby pinned him with his dog version of a Jedi mind-control stare, willing Lucas to pet him. Lucas caved instantly, leaning over to rub his ears, and then raised his eyes to mine.
    “What are you drinking?” I asked accusingly.
    “Cappuccino. Double shot. Extra dry.”
    “And you called me high-maintenance?” I never sparred like this with guys, but Lucas pushed my buttons. And I had a feeling he enjoyed doing it.
    He grinned and shrugged.
    Charlie chuckled from the other side of the counter. “All right, you two, settle down.” He glanced at Lucas. “Darcy needs our help, Lucas.” His words surprised me, and Lucas, too, judging by the expression on his face.
    Lucas spun his stool so he faced me. “Do you need something fixed?” He tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. “I’m guessing you’re not here to shop for clothes.”
    “Lucas.” Charlie’s “stern warning” voice sounded like every teacher I’ve ever known.
    Lucas shrugged, a smile playing at his distracting lips. “I’m just sayin’…”
    Just saying what? What did he know about me or my falling-apart life?
    “Look,” I said, sighing in frustration, “whatever you think about me, I need some money and I need it fast. This is all I’ve got.” I lifted the lid off the hatbox and slid it toward him. “Can you help me?”
    His eyes locked on mine briefly, no longer mocking, then he broke the connection to peer into the box. He whistled and glanced at me. “Nice bling. You sure you want to get rid of it?”
    I stared at him, trying