Page 60 of Sugar Pie
Jeff asked, “Why not?”
I loved her, and I wasn’t at all sure what to do about it. I started the truck and said, “We’re not there yet. Hopefully soon.”
“Well, don’t let another man get in the way.”
If anyone jumped in the way, I would push hard. I stilled as the thought raced through me. “Talk to you later, Jeff.”
I took a few minutes for me to breathe and realize I needed to hold on. She needed time, no matter how much I wished we were on the same page, I understood that. So I would wait.
36
Warren
After work, I headed to the store. I wanted to get Kerry something nice, but outside the store, I paused. I needed to show her who I was.
Last time I’d suggested going out, I hadn’t gone about it well. So this time, I parked the car and called her. She answered, and we said our hellos quickly. My heart pounded. “I’m heading home, but I wanted to call first.”
“What’s going on?”
Right. My pulse zipped like I was fourteen again and asking the driver’s daughter out. Kerry was everything to me, so I squared my shoulders and asked, “Will you put on the red dress and come out with me?”
“Okay.”
My lips curled higher, and I nodded as I imagined my plan coming to fruition. “See you in a half an hour.”
She laughed. “Are you planning something?”
“Yes.” I opened the internet on my phone as I said goodbye.
The weekend needed something that would show her that I supported all her interests. An idea popped in, and I shot it down. She would never want to forget our business plan, and a week away wasn’t an option. So I found a smaller scale version.
I finalized the plan and hopped out of the car to get the flowers when my phone rang. As I walked through the grocery store’s electric doors, I answered. “Gerard, what’s going on?”
“She’s gone now.”
I shifted through the cut flowers and picked out roses as I asked, “For good?”
“She has no more keys, and I spoke to Mom.”
Perfect. My brother was free. I smelled the flowers and nodded as I chose a bouquet for Kerry. “I’m happy you straightened everything out.”
“Me too.”
I stopped in the checkout line and waited, though no one was in front of me. “I’m about to buy a bouquet.” I moved forward and smiled at the cashier.
“Flowers?”
I nodded then stuck my card in the reader. “I have a date tonight with Kerry. I want to show her what it’s like to be my girlfriend.” I’d almost said “to be in the Norouzi family.” I didn’t need the clerk to hear that, though.
Gerard said, “Have fun.”
Then I hung up and headed back to my truck. Soon, our driver would be at the apartment for our limo-driven weekend trip.
And that red dress would make Kerry delectable, which was why I’d bought it in the first place.
I went up the stairs two at a time and unlocked the door. She came out of the bedroom and twirled to show me her dress. My heart pounded, and I said, “You look beautiful.”
Her smile was bright. “Thank you.” She then took the flowers from me and said, “These are beautiful.”
