Page 2 of Eat Your Heart Out
“I still have this desire to prove myself worthy, which is why I’ll take the next CEO position that’s created after the merger is finalized next year.”
Cyrus’s phone rang. He stood but said, “You know all Maman and Pedar want is for you to settle down and be happy.”
And if I didn’t show up soon, Maman would search for me. I stood as well. “We’re not all lucky like you, where your true love just appeared in your life.”
Cyrus waved. ”Yours will in time. For now, let’s head in.”
I nodded. “I’ll meet you in the house.” I lifted my chin and made a fast decision. “I’m going to go into town to pick up something, but I’ll be back in an hour.”
“Don’t make Maman send out a search party.” He walked back inside to his fiancée and infant.
Maybe that was the secret to life. I would have to learn how to share it with a good woman. I wouldn’t be used again.
I hopped into my Porsche Panamera 4S—I’d downsized everything for my world trip—as a quick drive to the store might clear my head. The rain started as I left the estate. The car automatically turned on the wipers and adjusted lights for night driving in the rain.
I turned a corner and saw a woman walking on the side of the road, wearing a blue vest. A sudden burning energy to speak to her washed through me despite that I couldn’t see her face or much of her in the storm. I slowed the car and, rolling down my windows, heard her call out to the rain, “Anything else you want to throw at me tonight?”
I coughed. “Are you all right, miss?”
She wiped the water off her face, and my heart stopped. Despite the mess of her fake-red hair, she was stunning. And it wasn’t just her big brown eyes. It was something in their gleam as she stared at me. It was feistiness and hatefulness and determination all mixed together.
“I’m… I’ll be fine.” She took a few steps away like she was done, though the rainstorm thundered.
Leaving her like that wasn’t an option. I pulled forward. “I’m one of the Norouzis from the mansion on the hill. Look, can I give you a ride?”
She gazed at the puddle-filled road then back at me. “It’s not far. I work down the road.”
I glanced at her waterlogged blue vest. “I recognize the uniform. I’m heading there myself.”
She took a deep breath then slipped inside. Once she was in, my entire body buzzed with awareness. She jumped at the doors’ auto lock.
I pointed to the seat heater so she might dry off. “Do you usually walk to work?”
She shook her head and, for a second, closed her eyes. Then she let out a sigh. “No, my car was stolen earlier today.”
“I’m sorry.” I pulled into the store parking lot.
She reached for the door handle. “Don’t be. Your type knows nothing about life. Goodbye.” She jerked to open the door and leave, but the door didn’t budge.
I unlocked it for her with the button, and she slid out.
My plan to leave town meant I would never see her again.
I parked the car and decided to check on her one more time, inside the store, as it sounded like she’d had a horrible day.
