Page 34 of Sugar Pie
She let out a snort. “I needed to be. I was usually ignored.”
It was the second time she’d mentioned that, which clearly meant she’d been bothered. I smiled. “Not by me. You’ve had all my attention since we met.”
She blushed. “I’ve noticed.”
Maybe she didn’t remember her beer talk from the night before. “Good,” I said.
We headed home, as I’d finished my cabinet installs earlier in the day and had hoped to meet her that afternoon. As we headed upstairs to our place, I rubbed her back.
Being with Kerry was more than anything else. She made my life better, so I wanted to convey my feelings, not thoughts, and I wasn’t sure how. I swallowed and said, “I—“ when my phone rang. The sound caught me off guard, and I grabbed it to turn it off but saw my father’s face on the screen.
He hadn’t contacted me since I left. I decided I needed to call him back, so I drove fast.
We made it to the apartment door. Once we were inside, I said, “I need to call my dad back.”
“No worries. Use the bedroom for privacy.” She headed to the computer in the living room and said, “I’ll get started on the paperwork.”
“Thank you.” I headed into the bedroom and closed the door.
The room smelled fresh and clean, like her. I answered the phone for Parvis Norouzi, my Pedar, who was always so kind with me and guided me. Unlike Pedar, who loved finances and Wall Street, I preferred working with my hands. I headed to the window and stared out. “Dad, I didn’t think you’d call.”
“You’re missed at the firm, and I wanted to check on my son.”
“Tell Maman I miss her too.” I narrowed my gaze and asked, “Do you need me?”
“No. I want you to feel like you belong with us, and I won’t push you to be like me.”
I glanced up at the last light of day before the sun set and said, “You never have, Pedar. On my birthday, I was overwhelmed.”
“You sound more positive now.”
“I’m feeling grounded and have a new plan.”
“What is it you’re doing there? You’re not using your financial license.”
Finance was why I’d taken all those business classes, but it didn’t matter anymore. “I’m working as a general contractor.”
“You were always learning how to fix things.”
“I was.”
“Running a business on your own and booking without help is work. I hope you get everything done and come home.”
There was no rule about working with someone else, but my skin prickled as if he’d called to ask about Kerry. My hair stood on end. “Talk to you later, Dad.” I hung up then put my phone back into my pocket and glanced at the bed she’d slept in. My mouth watered to join her, but I walked out.
Near her, I could breathe. I joined her at the computer, and she pointed me to places I needed to type. I quickly read and followed the directions to add my e-signature on the mortgage stuff. “That was the first time he’s called.”
She opened the second file for the next forms. “Consider yourself lucky. I wish my mom didn’t call.”
My pulse zipped, and the urge to kiss her senseless hit me hard. I ignored it and signed on the screen. “She’s still giving you a hard time?”
“It never stops.” She laughed then waved to indicate that we were done.
I stood as she said, “She never worked a day in her life, so she thinks that’s supposed to be my life.”
I took her hand for a moment. “And why you married a man you had nothing in common with.”
She met my gaze with the doe-eyed look that made my body hard and ready but quickly let me go and headed into the kitchen. I followed as she said, “I wanted to move to New York and get a job like my college friends did.”
