"We were classmates, fine, but you don't have to go this far for me!"
Cordelia looked at me as though this was a decision she had made long before I walked through the door.
"Tristan, I already told you. This is my choice."
"As for why, that's my business. You don't need to know the reason."
"But..."
I still couldn't accept sleeping with a woman I'd known for less than an hour. Even if she was the girl I once had a crush on. The prettiest girl in our class.
"There are no buts. Do you have another way out?"
I didn't.
If I did, I wouldn't be sitting here.
When I said nothing, Cordelia smiled faintly and pulled a key card from her purse.
"Tonight at eight. The Hilton. Room 888."
"Whether you show up is entirely up to you."
She flagged down a server and paid the bill.
"Cordelia!"
The name left my mouth before I could stop it.
She paused mid-step but didn't turn around.
I stared at her back and asked the only question that mattered.
"I need to know. Why are you helping me?"
Her body gave a small tremor, and when she spoke, her voice was thick with something she was trying to swallow down.
"It's not the right time."