Fine Line

26. Me and you

Dakota

I pull into Billie's driveway and put my car into park with a sigh. Looking over at her, I find her already looking at me with. I give her a small smile and lean my head against the headrest of my seat.

"Do you want to come in? I've still got that bourbon." She says with a smirk, causing me to laugh slightly.

"I needed to come in anyway." I say and she raises a brow at me.

"Why's that?" She asks and my brows furrow.

"Did you want to leave your painting in my car?" I ask and her eyes widen.

"You bought that for me?" She asks, her voice raising slightly.

"Well yeah. Who else would I have bought it for?" I ask and she her mouth opens in disbelief.

"Dakota." She sighs and closes her eyes, shaking her head slightly.

"Why would you buy me that painting?" She asks as she opens her eyes. My brows furrow again as I look at her.

"Because you liked it." I say like it was obvious.

"Yes I like it but you didn't have to buy it. Dakota do you not realize how much money $250,000 is?" She asks and I sigh.

"Of course I do. But the money doesn't matter to me. You liked the painting, I bought you the painting." I say with a shrug and she shakes her head again.

"Billie please just take it. Think of it as an apology gift." I say and she cuts her eyes at me.

"You have no reason to apologize." She says and I nod.

"Yes I do. I have a lot to apologize for. I shouldn't have left and broken both of our hearts." I say and she sighs.

"If you hadn't do you think you'd have the life you do now?" She asks and I shrug again.

"The luxury of my life doesn't matter that much to me. Me and you matter. Sure, painting is what I love to do but I'd be happy if I didn't have all of the money." I say and she looks out of the window. I sigh slightly and turn my car off. I get out and walk around to her side. Opening her door, she steps out avoiding my eyes and walking towards the front door. I nibble on my lip slightly and close her door, opening the back one at the same time.

I grab the painting and close that door too. She has already opened the door and she's waiting for me. I slide through the door, making sure not to bump the painting on anything. Walking into the living room, I carefully lean the painting against the back wall and walk back to Billie. She's in the kitchen, pouring a glass of wine for herself and me, a glass of bourbon. She turns around once she's done and slides me my glass while taking a sip of hers.

"You can be mad at me but I'm not going to apologize for buying it. I've blown more money on less important things." I say and her icy blue eyes meet mine.

"Are you trying to pick a fight?" She asks and and lean my elbows against the counter, keeping my eyes locked with hers.

"No. I never want to pick a fight with you. I just wanted you to know that I'm not sorry for buying you that painting." I say with a shrug and stand straighter, picking up the glass and taking a big drink of it. Okay, maybe I shouldn't have said those exact words because they came off as cocky. And I see that now. But it's the truth and nothing but.

"You are so-" She says, clenching her fists slightly and shaking her head.

"What?" I ask and her jaw clenches.

"You are so fucking infuriating." She says and I throw my hands up.

"Because I bought you a painting?" I ask and she rolls her eyes.