money.’
‘Isn’t ambition the same as power?’
‘No. Ambition is about making yourself a better person, wanting to get somewhere. That place doesn’t necessarily have to be somewhere you’ll hold power. What about people who study to become teachers?’ I think of Jess. ‘They’re ambitious enough to get a degree and qualified teacher status but it’s not necessarily about working up to a Head teacher post, it’s being passionate about educating children, getting them ready for life.’
‘If you say so.’ He chuckles. It’s not a kind sound. ‘Still, going back to the things you value, you sounded more like an employment agency looking for staff than a woman looking for a man.’
‘You asked for my opinion, I gave it.’ I cross my arms. ‘Besides, I’m not looking, so it doesn’t matter.’
‘My apologies, how dare I suggest it.’ He glances in the rear-view mirror, signals and changes lane. ‘We’ll talk theoretically instead. If you
were
looking, you’re expecting me to believe those qualities would have priority over a man having a good job and fat wallet?’
Turning to him, I open my mouth to spit out an answer. His eyes are narrowed, bitterness twisting his mouth. He’s obviously had a bad relationship, and it’s made him cynical. I can’t help wondering what happened, who she was. The woman who texted him?
Whatever. It doesn’t mean he’s entitled to make assumptions about me. Breathing in deeply, I do my best to stay calm. ‘I’d rather be with someone who respects me and supports me pursuing my goals and who’s a struggling artist, than be with someone who showers me with gifts but has a massive ego and demands complete control.’
‘Is that a fact?’ he drawls as we roll to a stop at a junction.
‘Yes!’ I sigh again. ‘Maybe we should change the subject.’
‘No, come on, I’m interested.’ He glances both ways before signalling and pulling out with a low roar of the engine. ‘Not many people are so generous with their opinions.’
Crap. Rapid back-pedalling required. ‘If I’ve spoken out of turn Mr Demetrio—’
He cuts me off with a sideways look. ‘It’s Alex, remember? And you haven’t. So, are you saying money doesn’t matter at all? If you met two men, liked them both and the only difference was one was rich and one wasn’t, you wouldn’t pick the one with the money?’
There’s no right answer. Given his cynicism, I will look like either a gold-digger or a liar.
‘See,’ he mutters, ‘you can’t deny it. You’re as motivated by money as the next woman. The only difference is some admit it.’
‘That’s not fair,’ I shoot, shaking my head. ‘And I won’t admit to something that’s not true. The money would be a bonus but it wouldn’t be the deciding factor. I’m not one of those women who go out with the intention of bagging a billionaire.’ Attempting to lighten the mood, ‘Although if I
were
looking, a man with the ability to buy me a few more pairs of shoes wouldn’t be completely unwelcome.’
‘So it is important then.’
‘I was joking! It’s not about the money.’ But I’m a hypocrite. Part of the reason I’m here is cold hard cash. Though it’s got no link to any attraction I feel for him.
‘If you say so.’ He accelerates and I'm pressed back into the seat. ‘Let me put it another way. If you won the lottery, you’d take it?’
‘That’s not the same and you know it,’ I retort. ‘I’d be an idiot not to claim the money … and FYI I’d probably share it with my family.’ Crossing my arms. ‘Fine, you’ve got me. In the grand scheme of things, money
is
important, especially when you haven’t got any. Not that you'd know anything about that. But I’m talking about being able to pay the mortgage and put food on the table, not spending thousands of pounds on one item of clothing or blowing silly amounts on lavish parties.’
Alex nods as we pull up outside the hotel, yanking the handbrake
‘Isn’t ambition the same as power?’
‘No. Ambition is about making yourself a better person, wanting to get somewhere. That place doesn’t necessarily have to be somewhere you’ll hold power. What about people who study to become teachers?’ I think of Jess. ‘They’re ambitious enough to get a degree and qualified teacher status but it’s not necessarily about working up to a Head teacher post, it’s being passionate about educating children, getting them ready for life.’
‘If you say so.’ He chuckles. It’s not a kind sound. ‘Still, going back to the things you value, you sounded more like an employment agency looking for staff than a woman looking for a man.’
‘You asked for my opinion, I gave it.’ I cross my arms. ‘Besides, I’m not looking, so it doesn’t matter.’
‘My apologies, how dare I suggest it.’ He glances in the rear-view mirror, signals and changes lane. ‘We’ll talk theoretically instead. If you
were
looking, you’re expecting me to believe those qualities would have priority over a man having a good job and fat wallet?’
Turning to him, I open my mouth to spit out an answer. His eyes are narrowed, bitterness twisting his mouth. He’s obviously had a bad relationship, and it’s made him cynical. I can’t help wondering what happened, who she was. The woman who texted him?
Whatever. It doesn’t mean he’s entitled to make assumptions about me. Breathing in deeply, I do my best to stay calm. ‘I’d rather be with someone who respects me and supports me pursuing my goals and who’s a struggling artist, than be with someone who showers me with gifts but has a massive ego and demands complete control.’
‘Is that a fact?’ he drawls as we roll to a stop at a junction.
‘Yes!’ I sigh again. ‘Maybe we should change the subject.’
‘No, come on, I’m interested.’ He glances both ways before signalling and pulling out with a low roar of the engine. ‘Not many people are so generous with their opinions.’
Crap. Rapid back-pedalling required. ‘If I’ve spoken out of turn Mr Demetrio—’
He cuts me off with a sideways look. ‘It’s Alex, remember? And you haven’t. So, are you saying money doesn’t matter at all? If you met two men, liked them both and the only difference was one was rich and one wasn’t, you wouldn’t pick the one with the money?’
There’s no right answer. Given his cynicism, I will look like either a gold-digger or a liar.
‘See,’ he mutters, ‘you can’t deny it. You’re as motivated by money as the next woman. The only difference is some admit it.’
‘That’s not fair,’ I shoot, shaking my head. ‘And I won’t admit to something that’s not true. The money would be a bonus but it wouldn’t be the deciding factor. I’m not one of those women who go out with the intention of bagging a billionaire.’ Attempting to lighten the mood, ‘Although if I
were
looking, a man with the ability to buy me a few more pairs of shoes wouldn’t be completely unwelcome.’
‘So it is important then.’
‘I was joking! It’s not about the money.’ But I’m a hypocrite. Part of the reason I’m here is cold hard cash. Though it’s got no link to any attraction I feel for him.
‘If you say so.’ He accelerates and I'm pressed back into the seat. ‘Let me put it another way. If you won the lottery, you’d take it?’
‘That’s not the same and you know it,’ I retort. ‘I’d be an idiot not to claim the money … and FYI I’d probably share it with my family.’ Crossing my arms. ‘Fine, you’ve got me. In the grand scheme of things, money
is
important, especially when you haven’t got any. Not that you'd know anything about that. But I’m talking about being able to pay the mortgage and put food on the table, not spending thousands of pounds on one item of clothing or blowing silly amounts on lavish parties.’
Alex nods as we pull up outside the hotel, yanking the handbrake
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