Proposition

Marcus

The expression on Hailey's face is utterly priceless, a mix of shock and amusement. Her eyes widen in disbelief, and her lips part as if caught between a laugh and a gasp.

"Excuse me?" she exclaims, her voice a blend of incredulous laughter and astonishment. "Did you really just say that to me?"

I respond with a slight, nonchalant shrug, my lips curling into a faint, unapologetic smile. "I thought you'd appreciate the honesty," I say, my tone casual and unbothered.

Her eyes narrow, the laughter vanishing like a blown-out candle. "Honesty? Marcus, that wasn't honesty, that was arrogance."

I tilt my head slightly, studying her face, the way her jaw tightens and her hands ball into fists at her sides. "I wasn't trying to offend you. I just figured we are adults. And I like to go straight to business."