The middle-aged man gave me a sleazy grin and said, “Hey, pretty lady, I know you didn’t do it on purpose, but this thermos really matters to me. It was my mom’s.”

“How much do you want? I’ll pay,” I said, not wanting to get into it with him.

The man was about to answer when Ryan walked right over. Ryan said, “How much? I’ll pay.”

The man had been trying to take advantage of me being alone, but seeing more people around, he backed off fast. He said, “Just 100 dollars. Guess it’s my unlucky day.”

I pulled out my wallet and started to get some cash, but Ryan took the bills from my hand and handed over 30 dollars. He said, “That’s the most it’s worth.”

The man glanced at Ryan, realized he wasn’t someone to mess with, took the money, and turned to leave.

Ryan handed me the remaining money and asked, “Ms. Murphy, what brings you here?”

I took the money, slipped it back into my wallet, and replied coolly, “Thanks for getting me out of that mess.” With that, I turned to leave.

I was pissed. I felt Ryan had been anything but straight with me. While I was worried sick about him, he was in Shariport chasing skirts.

Ryan rushed after me, cutting me off. He said, “Ms. Murphy, let me explain.”

I shot back, “Explain what? Why are you rocking a Chanel shirt and a Rolex? Ryan, honestly, I don’t even know who you are anymore.”

Ryan’s face turned pale, but he still darted in front of me. He said, “I admit I lied to you, but my feelings for you are real.”

Just then, a girl in a pink dress suddenly squeezed in. She clung to Ryan’s arm and shot me a hostile glare. She demanded, “Ryan, who is she? Is that the woman you ran off to Hachester for? She looks way older than you.”

“Shut up,” Ryan said, shoving the girl aside and looking at me anxiously. He said, “Victoria, I know I was wrong to lie to you, but you’re not completely innocent here either.”

I stared at him, totally stunned. I said, “What did I do wrong? I’ve been worried about you for days, but now it seems like I shouldn’t have bothered.”

Ryan looked at me, his face full of hurt. He said, “Did you just toss the contact info I gave you last time? I’ve been waiting for your call, but you never even saved my number.”

“And how do you know I didn’t?” I shot back, raising an eyebrow.

Ryan bit his lip and then said, “I’m still using the same number I gave you. I saw your phone last time–you didn’t even bother to put my name in.”

I frowned, thinking he was just making a fuss for nothing. I snapped, “Why would I even save your number? We’ve only met twice–I’m not that casual.”

My head was spinning, and Ryan’s lies had killed my vibe. I turned to leave.

Ryan silently trailed behind. When I turned around, he looked just like a kid who’d been caught doing something wrong. I stopped, and he hurried over.

He said, “Victoria, do you know? You’re the first person who’s ever gotten my number and never bothered to reach out.”

I shot back, “Give me one good reason why I should ever call you.”

Ryan’s face flushed red. He bit his lip and then said, “You’re the first woman I ever actually asked to call me. I thought…”

I cut him off, “Thought what? That I’d fall for you at first sight? Ryan, you still owe me 30 thousand. When you have the money, don’t forget to pay me back.” I was speechless at how full of himself he was.