Page 69 of Sugar Pie
“I want to apologize for my staff leaking some of your info to that gossip site, but I’m glad you’re coming home.”
“Linsey is clearly talking again.” I checked to be sure that no one had heard me. “I didn’t expect this at all, but I have to say I’ve enjoyed being on my own with no one treating me differently because I’m a Norouzi.”
He sounded surprised. “Yeah?”
My heart swelled as if I was telling the absolute truth. “There is something about going out and making it on your own.”And finding a woman to share it with.She needed to know the truth.
Jeff said, “I’ll keep that in mind.”
We exchanged goodbyes, and Kerry took my hand. We left the airplane and headed to the waiting limo.
I breathed the air where I’d earned money with my bare hands.
Kerry was on the phone but then told the driver and me, “First, we need to go to the realtor’s office. The bank needs your proof of funds.”
I laughed. They’d soon see all my accounts, as I wasn’t hiding them. I found my banking information on my phone and snapped photos of the numbers. “I’ve sent the broker my numbers.”
Done. She now saw how much I had in my name and could plainly see my adopted name. I glanced at Kerry, who needed to be told. Then I swallowed, unsure how to start the conversation.
Then she said, “I’m excited to see how you live in New York. It’s another adventure, but…”
My ears burned. I wouldn’t go without her. My throat was tight as I asked, “What?”
“I still want this business we started to be successful.”
I took a deep breath. “Me too. I don’t just want to work with you, though. I want us to start looking forward to our lives together.”
A few minutes later, we stopped at the real estate office. I steeled my spine to face the world again, as being near her made it disappear when she smiled at me.
We headed out as I said, “Let’s be fast when we sign.”
“Don’t be nervous. We have forever.” She took my offered hand, and we went in together.
I needed to believe her. I just hoped she understood and accepted my unlimited wealth.
45
Kerry
The bank account numbers had floored me, as did the fact that his last name was Norouzi and not Tate. My mind raced—I should have known the name, but nothing came to mind. I knew he’d made money on the stock market, but Warren would never have to work again.
My heart swelled because Warren was wonderful, and his woodsy smell sent me into overdrive. As long as he loved me, nothing else mattered.
Plus, if we were successful with our subdivision plan, then I could stand on my own two feet too. His offer of half the company replayed in my head. While I would never have the amount of money he had, I would be fine.
I wasn’t weak and didn’t need to be sold off or get another husband. I could show my mom that I didn’t need a man to be successful.
Once we were done at the office, the limo drove us to the land, and we did a final walk-through.
Soon, the place would be filled with houses surrounding the lake. We scanned the horizon. I pictured streets with dead ends and children on bicycles where we stood. The homes would be laid out in circles, with small dead-end streets going away from the lake and ending in cul-de-sacs. They would be the best homes anyone might find in the area.
Confidence filled my soul. We would sell out. The market for high-end housing was untapped in the area.
I kissed his cheek.
He hugged me. Part of me wanted to drag him down into the dirt, but honestly, I preferred bed. And as I bounced on my feet, excitement filled my chest. That night, we would celebrate in his New York apartment, and I couldn’t wait.
We held hands and walked across the field to the street where we’d parked. For a few minutes, the sky was blue, and the world was perfect.
