Page 63 of Ms. Fortune

“You may recall I happen to own a flying chariot that swims through the air at extremely high speeds?”

“Oh yeah, what’s that called again? A bird of steel?”

“Well, that’s definitely what I’m going to call it from now on.”

“Seriously, though. You’ve got a huge company to run. You can’t be flying here from all over the place just to be with me.” The doubt creeping in needs to be stopped before it spreads.

“Yes, I can. And I will.” I gently pull her hand to my mouth and kiss the back of it. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make this work. And if that means more time on a plane, so be it. I mean, what’s the point of being a billionaire if I can’t use that money to be happy?”

She smiles, and her whole face lights up, and at that moment, I know deep down we will be okay. It’s not going to be easy by any means, but we have crossed through the desert of pain and mistrust and now see there’s an oasis right in front of us.

Chapter 42

LOVESONG

NORMANDY

Two months later

That steel bird has taken me places I never imagined I would see. We went to Japan, where we visited the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, the world’s busiest crosswalk in what can only be described as Tokyo’s Time Square. Since it was cherry blossom season, we spent a breathtaking day meandering through Ueno Park. I was surprised to learn that Brandon knows how to speak fluent Japanese, and he explained that a lot of his business is conducted there, so he needed to learn how to communicate effectively with his suppliers and customers.

We then spent a week in Australia, traveling to Sydney and Melbourne. We rambled around Newtown and saw incredible street art and murals. Then on Phillip Island, we took a private tour to see the little blue fairy penguins parade across the beach back to their nest in the moonlight.

It was the most incredible two weeks of my life. While I have a passport, I’ve never been out of the country. The furthest I had been from home up to that point was Niagara Falls when I was a teenager with my mom, and we didn’t even go to the Canadian side. Besides the colossal jet lag from the trip, the culture shock of being back in Vegas is a bit jarring. It’s taking me a few days to regain my bearings.

Not long after we return, I receive a lunch invitation from Sophie. My mother is invited as well. Apparently, the two women haven’t seen each other in years and keep missing each other when my mom is in town. Brandon is more than happy to fly my mother to Vegas for the occasion. She’s also highly impressed with the steel bird, but she refuses my offer to stay with us at her old home. I don’t blame her, as I know the memories it holds for her more than most.

We meet at an Italian sandwich restaurant which luckily has good air conditioning since it’s scorching outside, and when my mother and Sophie see each other, tears and long hugs are shared. I’m reminded of how much Sophie helped my mother way before she met my father. My mom’s young life was difficult, and she found herself a little lost when she came to Vegas. Sophie took her under her wing and gave her a push in the right direction. I should be grateful for that too.

“Look at the two of you,” Sophie says, holding my mother at arm’s length. “You could be sisters.”

“Oh, stop it.” My mother waves a hand at her dismissively. It’s not the first time we’ve heard this; I’m sure it won’t be the last. My entire life, I was a “mini mom” or, once I grew up, a twin. I take it as a compliment since I think my mother is beautiful.

Over lunch, I hear some fantastic stories of my mom’s burlesque career and the crazy shenanigans that took place at Sophie’s club over the years. The ‘80s were definitely a wild time to be in Vegas, that’s for sure. And from the sounds of it, a hell of a lot of fun. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my mom blush so much, and I can’t help but laugh at all the trouble she got into.

Our conversation dances around Victor and Louie and the kidnapping, but I can feel their weight hanging around us as we laugh and joke. Avoiding the bad times is fine by me. The reunion of these two strong and independent women makes my heart sing as I watch them interact. It’s as though time hasn’t passed, and their friendship remains as strong as ever. I hope it does continue for them, and they stay in touch with each other after this.

“And what about you and Brandon?” Sophie asks me, an eyebrow raised.

“Yes, do tell,” my mother chimes in, taking a long sip of her mimosa. “Inquiring minds want to know.”

I glare at both of them. I knew this would come up eventually, but I didn’t want to get into my love life during their reunion.

I shrug a noncommittal shoulder. “There’s not much to tell. We’re having fun.”

“Fun is good….” My mom leaves it open-ended, waiting for me to expand on my answer.

“What’s wrong with fun?” She makes it sound like it should be a lot more than that. It’s only been a couple of months that we’ve been together, and I don’t like labels. And ever since the kidnapping, I take everything one day at a time and try to enjoy each one to the fullest. That just happens to always include Brandon somehow.

“Well, if you ask me, which you haven’t,” Sophie starts, refilling her own mimosa from the pitcher, “I think Brandon is head over heels in love with you.”

My mother giggles at this. Giggles. “Do go on, Sophie. I appreciate hearing stories about a man in love. Especially if it includes a handsome billionaire in love with my very own daughter.”

Sophie giggles along with her, and I can tell they both need to be cut off from any more mimosas.

I roll my eyes. “You guys are seriously embarrassing me.” They’re not, but I do feel heat spread into my cheeks. Part of me wants to hear what Sophie sees in Brandon to make her think that, but there is no way I’d ever ask. He constantly tells me that he loves me, and I haven’t said it back to him yet. But it doesn’t bother him at all. He says he knows I love him in the ways I show him. He doesn’t need to hear the words. He’s been so patient with me; there’s no way I couldn’t be in love with him.

“I’ve never seen him so focused on anything outside his company the way he centers his life around you, Normandy.” Sophie sighs with a hand to her chest, a small smile playing on her lips and a dreamy look in her eyes. “Not to bring up his old girlfriends, the few I saw, but they couldn’t hold a candle to you. Everything Brandon does now, and I mean everything, is done with you in mind. He considers you in every decision he makes now, like selling his house. He built that house. And I don’t mean just ‘had it built.’ I mean, he joined the construction crews in literally building it. And for him to sell his dream home because of what happened to you there? That’s love, honey. That is love.”

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