Page 66 of Come Here and Kiss Me

Maybe if Ro sends me that million, although we never signed that contract. At this point, I don’t think he will give me a cent. I don’t trust anything he says anymore and haven’t answered a single message from him.

Instead, I've blocked him.

Seeing his name is just too much.

Texts and emails have piled up, and I’ve simply ignored them as well. Professor Montgomery from my astrology class has noticed my absence. An email like that, one that should have never bothered me, made me bawl my eyes out this morning.

I’m obviously unwell, so I’m just going into hiding.

Unfortunately, as Aspen pointed out, I need to face my financial situation to determine my options. Just so I know.

I need to grow the hell up.

With a deep breath, I shake the old man’s hand. He’sknown me for as long as I can remember, but it’s never felt like this. He offers me a sad smile that seems forced, and behind his thin-rimmed glasses, he narrows his eyes as he looks at me.

He unbuttons his gray suit jacket and motions to the wingback chair to the left across from his desk. “Have a seat.”

With a thud in my chest and a sinking feeling, I lower myself to the chair.

“Mr. Stagert, how are you?” I ask. He tells me he’s doing well and doesn’t ask me in return.

I get the feeling my father has filled him in.

Fuck.

I clutch my purse and regret not getting my things from Ro. I could have at least sold them.

“Miss Chambers, I’m glad you came in because there’s something I really need to discuss with you,” he starts, and my throat closes up with emotion.

I second-guess coming altogether.I can’t take more bad news.

“It’s not wise to let the recent deposit sit. We should invest a good chunk of it, and I have a plan if you have time to look it over.”He speaks matter-of-factly, and it takes me a moment to comprehend what he’s said.

“What?” I barely get the word out.

“You’re young, and I realize you have income now, but we need to look at your retirement, what you’ll need in the far-off future.”He squares his shoulders, lacing his fingers together in front of him, seeming to contemplate his next statement. He’s delicate with it. “I realize there have been some changes for you recently, and I think it’s best to use this deposit to prepare for life ahead. Just in case.”

“What deposit?”

“From Mr. Wolf. For ten million.”

My bottom lip drops open as I’m struck with shock.

Ten million.

I could cry on the spot for several reasons. But the first that hits me betrays the wall I’ve been trying to sustain around my heart. If he’s sent me money, he’s done with me for good. I’m taken care of like he promised he would.But that comes with a price.

It’s a clusterfuck of mixed emotions, and I can’t process things fast enough. I’m torn up from the inside out. It’s not one million like we agreed on with no contract. All I had was his word. And now, his word has become ten million dollars.

How did I get so unlucky and lucky at the same time? I lost the love of my life, but I gained ten million dollars. The crazy thing is that I’d give up that money just to be with him.

And that’s the God’s honest truth.

There’s no reason for me to deny it to myself. All I’m left with are my thoughts. Whether they’re good or bad, they’re mine. I can’t stop the emotions as they spread over me, and the financial adviser appears quite out of place as he passes me a box of tissues.

I take one and then another, trying to control myself. I was only with him for a little over a month, yet my entire world has changed because of him.

From the moment I kissed him, everything fucking spiraled.

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