Page 68 of Sugar Pie
His words spun in my head, and I stood straighter. He was right that I needed to be more serious.
Without a word from me, my father, Parvis Norouzi, a titan to everyone who knew him, harrumphed, the sound he made when he made his point.
Except I hadn’t explained anything to Kerry. I swallowed hard as I imagined how to reveal who I was. “I’ll want to finish business in Greenville today then head to New York tonight.”
“Be fast. The sooner you come home, the happier we all are.”
Right. So I could buy our property in a day and keep our partnership. She would want to run it, and she believed I was a Wall Street guy. I would tell her everything once we were both safe, but Pedar was correct. We couldn’t go home.
I heard her turn off the shower and walk around the bathroom.
“We have a complication and need to go get back fast.”
She came out wearing new jeans and a red T-shirt as she wiped her hair and asked, “What happened? Were you on the phone?”
Together, we would come up with a plan, but that could be done anywhere. I took her hands. “Yes. I… I decided to use my savings for this deal. Text the realtor. Our partnership is still on, but I have to get back to New York.”
She didn’t even blink. I saw trust in her eyes. “What do you want me to do?”
I would have to explain it all to her. I picked up her hand and said, “Close the property deal today with a cash buyout.”
She bounced back to the bedroom as the coffee finished percolating. “I’ll call the realtor.”
I poured her a cup and ordered the plane to be fueled and ready. Our life would soon be very different. I hoped she liked my galley kitchen at home and the Italian espresso machine that she could make her favorite drinks with. And if she wanted to cook, I would send the chef back to my father’s staff.
She finished her coffee and left the cup on the counter as we headed out together.
“Then assemble the preliminary list for a crew to contact and get their schedules so we can coordinate, offer contracts, and begin construction on the model as soon as possible.”
The limo picked us up, but she was at ease as she typed on her phone. “Okay. Schedules will be requested, and I’ll open negotiations for contracts. I’ll make it all happen today.”
I wanted our business to succeed, and the gleam in her eyes told me the same thing. My heart pounded, though. “You’re the best. After we wind up the last business, we’re flying to New York right away.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Is everything okay with your family? You seem nervous.”
My cheeks felt hot. I needed to tell her the truth, but it was better to finish up as much as we could and be safe. I hoped she would understand. “Just thinking we have a lot to do to get our life together.”
Her phone rang. She glanced at it. “My mom…”
I kissed her forehead. “Tell her you’re moving in with me and we’re going to Manhattan.”
She walked me to the door and laughed. “She’d probably want to come and visit if I tell her that address.”
I nodded. “She’s allowed. Whatever you’re comfortable with is fine with me.”
We boarded the plane as she fended off her mother’s questions. As we got seated, she hung up. Without explanation, her lips met mine, and steam rushed through my veins.
We took off. If I’d had more time, I would have wanted to be with her intimately, but there was too much on my mind.
It was better to wait and show her my world.
As we landed, I quickly called my father back as she spoke to the realtor. Then I said, “Pedar, I’ll work to finish up here today as much as possible and be in New York tonight. Don’t worry about me. Kerry and I will come visit you and Maman soon.”
“Wonderful.” He harumphed his approval. “Your brother wants to talk to you.” Emotions weren’t our thing.
He handed off the phone. “It’s Jeff.”
Ah. Perfect.“What’s going on?”
