Page 107 of Billion Dollar Mistake

“Well, come on and let's get to know each other.” She takes my hand and waves Jeremy away.

I want to laugh. Jeremy’s face is full of uncertainty. It’s like he doesn’t know what to do.

“That sounds lovely,” I reply.

“I guess I’ll—”

“Go find your brothers. We won’t be long,” Iris says as an order.

I bite the inside of my cheek to prevent a laugh. She is the boss of the family. I can see it.

“It’s so lovely to meet you, Nova.”

I smile. At least her genuineness is helping me calm down.

“It’s wonderful to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about y—” I reply honestly.

“About my cancer you mean.” She says with a knowing expression.

“He did open up to me about that when I told him about my dad.”

Her brows pull together. “Your dad?” She squeezes my hand.

I look down at our joined hands.

My eye pricks and I look up to her.

“He has colon cancer.”

Her head dips. “I’m so sorry. When was he diagnosed?”

“Three months.”

“Does he have a good prognosis?”

“He’s stage three.”

“He’s young. He won’t be going anywhere. He still has to watch you grow up, get married and have children. That’ll be enough of a reason to stick around.”

Those words are what I hope for.

There are milestones in my life I want him around for. So much, like getting a job. That was just a start to many positive things to come.

“Is that what is the most important for you too?”

Her head dips. “Yes, my grandchildren. My boys mean the world to me. I want them all to find love and happiness and I hope I get to be around to see them all get that.”

She speaks so much about love that I wonder…

“I hope this isn’t too personal...”

“Never. Ask away.” She squeezes my hand again as a way of encouraging me.

“What happened to your husband?”

A soft sigh leaves her lips. “He died of a heart attack ten years ago. But he was the love of my life. We had been together since we were 17.”

My heart swells at how her face lights up at the mention of him.

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