Page 27 of Brazen
“We could always use talent at work," he said. "Father ultimately makes those calls, though.”
Smiling, I nodded. Kir then turned his attention back to another one of his brothers, but he seemed nice.
My heart beat so fast right as I asked, “Is he on the level?”
Charlie nodded. “Warren runs the company these days, but Kir is his right hand.”
I took out my phone. ”I’ll text her to get it ready.”
I sent the message, then we ate. I listened to his brothers talk about how Charlie was always the fearless one that his mother worried about the most. Everything matched what I assumed about him, but it was fun to listen. As I sipped my coffee, I noticed most of the Norouzis were sipping tea, including Charlie. A few of his brothers stood, and he asked me, “Are you ready to play football?”
In my dress? I’d always been picked last in gym glass, not that he knew that. I shook my head. “I think I should sit this out and watch you, Charlie.”
A few of the women walked onto the field, and he pointed. “You sure?”
But the others were wearing jeans and shorts. I kissed his cheek, wishing I'd kissed his lips. “I’ll cheer for you.”
Staff cleaned up the table, and those of us not playing moved onto the field to lounge chairs and oversized umbrellas inching closer to the beach.
I found a spot and cheered loudly as Charlie raced past with the ball.
As I settled back in my seat, Roxanne pushed her chair closer to me. I sat up as I wanted to impress her.
“You and my son are really nice to see.”
Heat rose to my face, and I lowered my head. “You’re very kind, Mrs. Norouzi.”
“Roxanne, please.”
I tensed. She’d told me that. I nodded. “I’m sorry. I’m not used to… Roxanne.”
“Not used to what, dear?”
Having a mom. I let out a sigh and met her gaze. She wouldn’t understand. No one ever did, but I owed her the truth. “Did Charlie tell you my parents both died in the same horrible accident?”
She squeezed my arm. “No. I’m so sorry. I checked every family had someone to care for any children personally, and the only one without was my infant Charlie.”
I’d been staying with my grandparents. There had been no survivors of the explosion in the sky, but it was nice that his mother had checked on me years ago. I smiled. “You did. I was raised by my grandpa, and he was great, but I’m not used to having a mother figure around.”
She hadn’t let me go. She was holding me like I mattered to her. “That had to be hard growing up when you hit puberty.”
Charlie had lucked out even if he didn’t believe in luck. I sighed. “It would have been nice to have someone other than the school counselor, but anyhow, I’m only telling you this because Charlie loves you and you’ve been good to me.”
She stroked my arm gently. “Charlie seems more grounded with you. I’m hoping he follows his heart and stops trying to take a job that doesn’t suit his interests. He’s hiding out at his father’s company when he needs to fly.”
Interesting. She saw the suit as ill-fitting for him too. I sucked in my bottom lip, trying to stop myself from asking, but curiosity won. “You don’t think Charlie should work at your husband’s company?”
One of her sons flagged her from across the spectators' section. She stood as she said, “He can do what he likes, but he’s always been bolder than this. I’m hoping he figures out his next dream to chase, though I want to say if you truly wanted your own bedroom last night, I have extra rooms.”
“It’s okay.”
“Charlie never knocked sheets on the floor before. He knew I liked everything folded and neat.”
“Right. We were… um…”
“Don’t explain. Please. I shouldn’t have brought it up. I’m hoping you help nudge Charlie to his next level.”
Charlie was fun and needed to move. I had no idea how he was in an office, but if he needed a better idea on his life than I’d brainstorm solutions.
