“What was that for? Why did you lie to her?” I rounded on him as soon as the door clicked close behind my mother.

“You’re welcome.” He touched the tip of nose.

I wanted to wipe that stupid smirk off of his face. “I am not grateful for what you did.”

“You’re still welcome.”

I groaned in frustration and annoyance. “You clawed my back, why?”

“Why not? To make our story believable.” Was his careless reply.

“First off, it was your ...