Valerie was touched. "Thank you, Mr. Grant. By the way, how much does it cost?"

Matthew didn't know the exact price, but he'd anticipated this question. He'd checked the inventory list while the treadmill was being installed. "It's not expensive—$1,800."

Valerie's eyes widened. "$1,800? That's expensive!"

Is that expensive? Matthew wondered.

Before he could respond, Valerie became anxious. "It's too expensive. We won't use it often, so there's no need to buy such an expensive one. Can we return it?"

Matthew had never been concerned about price; anything under $2,000 was cheap to him. He was surprised by Valerie's reaction.

She was shocked and anxious. "The workers just left; I should still be able to catch them."

She started for the door, but Matthew stopped her. "What are you doing?"

"Returning it," Valerie said seriously. "It's too expensive. We haven't even used it. We'll only lose the shipping cost. We don't need such an expensive treadmill for occasional use. It's a waste."

Matthew felt conflicted. He hadn't expected the woman he considered a gold digger to be trying to save him money.

Seeing her head for the door again, he pulled her back. If they tell her Charles bought it, she'll be suspicious of my identity.

He didn't think the treadmill was expensive, but to reassure Valerie, he lied. "I haven't finished. The treadmill is from a friend of the Noria Group; they offered an internal discount. It only cost $1,000."

The price was halved, but Valerie still thought it was expensive.

Matthew added, "I'll use it, too. You get what you pay for; this one performs better than cheaper models."

Valerie thought of the previous night—his strong arms around her when she almost fell. He exercises regularly, unlike me. A $1,000 clothes drying rack is too expensive!

Even though she wasn't paying, she felt it was wasteful. Only when she learned Matthew would use it did she reluctantly accept it. Matthew was relieved. He regretted pretending to be an ordinary worker; he had to be constantly cautious.

To distract her, he suggested, "You can't test a treadmill by walking. Why don't you try running?"

Valerie, pregnant and avoiding strenuous exercise, nervously declined. "No, no, no. Breakfast will get cold. Let's eat first."

Matthew, unsuspicious, joined her in the living room. The breakfast wrap vendor was working; Valerie bought wraps—this time with sausage and tenderloin, tastier than the previous vegetable filling.

She noticed he'd already taken two bites. He's not a picky eater. Except for not drinking lattes, he eats whatever I buy.

She unwrapped her eggwiches; they looked crispy and aromatic. Matthew smelled them and thought about how much she liked them.

He'd noticed previous women ate daintily, but Valerie ate enthusiastically and happily. He suddenly felt his breakfast wrap wasn't as appealing; he wanted to try her eggwich. He decided to try one tomorrow.

Their work schedules differed. Matthew left after breakfast; Valerie started at 9:00 a.m.

Walking him to the door, Valerie remembered something. "Mr. Grant, do you remember our weekend plans? Tomorrow is Saturday"