Rich Girl, Poor Boy

A Man With Values

Miranda's pov

I'm getting married in a few days. I am about to walk in the room when I hear my fiancé on the phone. "Yeah. I'll let her have an accident on the honeymoon and get her money. This plan is foolproof man, we're gonna be rich!" Tears fill my eyes. My fists clench tight and the sadness is replaced with fury. He was gonna kill me for the money! I walk out with all my money so he doesn't get a single cent and I skip town.

Jason's pov

A young woman walks in not looking too happy. "I'm sorry mom. I can't and won't marry someone who doesn't love me." I hear her say. Poor girl. She sets her purse on the counter with a deep sad sigh. "You alright ma'am?" She shakes her head, tears in her eyes. "What can I get you?" I'm the bartender by the way. Trying to make a decent pay while surviving day to day on the ruthless streets of Nashville. "Just a miller lite." She says. I sigh and bring her the beer. She's probably trying to make it by like me. Nashville is pretty hard to survive for the minimum wage folks like me and probably her.

*later*

She barely drinks it then leaves. I was sweeping up the floors when the door opened. "I'm sorry but we're closed." I say, looking up. It's the girl. "I know but I'm afraid I left my purse." That was her purse?! The one filled with hundred dollar bills?! So she's not down on her luck. I wonder what happened! "I put one back behind the counter. I bet it's probably yours." I say, setting the broom down and going back there. I pick it up. "You can only have this back on one condition." She crosses her arms. "Lemme guess. You want a reward?" I laugh and shake my head. "That would be nice but no. You promise you get a bank account for all this. It ain't safe walkin' around with all this money like you are." Her eyes go wide. "Oh... Thanks." I smile and hand it to her. "What's your name?" She asks, hefting it onto her shoulder. "Jason, ma'am." I say, picking the broom back up. "So you saw the money in my purse... But you didn't take it?"

Miranda's pov

"Of course not, ma'am. I work my tail off for every dollar I earn. I'm not gonna take someone else's." "Wow, the last person tried to kill me for my money." I mumble, trying not to cry again. His eyes go wide. "Do you.... Have a safe place to stay?" I shake my head. "Just got to town. I'll find someplace." "Ok ma'am stay safe. Oh I uh never got your name?" I smile. "Miranda. And thanks for showing me there are still good people in the world." He smiles. "My pleasure. A word of advice. Everything that glitters isn't gold." I smile too. "Wow I'm gonna remember that. I also know not every young workin' man is a thief." "Glad to help." I wave and go to the real estate place and get an apartment, all the while thinking about that kindhearted gentleman. He saw all my money. He could've taken it but he didn't.

*a few days later*

Jason's pov

Miranda comes back to the bar with a smile this time instead of tears. I smile and bring her a miller lite like before. "You remembered?" I nod. "It's one of my favorite things about being a bartender. Meeting new people." "Well you'll be happy to know I got a bank account and am not carrying it all around with me." She says. I smile. "I am happy to know that." I teasingly reply. She laughs and opens her drink. And we just sat there talking and joking. Until we were the only two people in that bar. I cover her hand with mine. "I'll only let you leave on one condition." I say, smiling. "And what's that?" She asks with a smile. I turned some music on and we danced out there on that empty hardwood floor. I felt a special connection with this girl I never felt with anyone else. After she left, my jaw drops when I see that she left 200 dollars with a note that said, "In case you need it, I know bartenders are not paid nearly as much as they should be paid." Wow she's one dynamite gal.

Miranda's pov

I swore off guys. What am I doing?! But maybe he is different! I mean he had the chance to take my purse and he didn't. He seems like a well liked man with values. I don't think he's like the rest of them. And when we danced together, I felt a real connection unlike any I've had with my previous fiancés. I go to sleep very proud of myself for leaving that money for him.