Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 93002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Unlike that money, Sterling was very real. I knew I could have a happy life without my father’s fortune. I couldn’t say the same about a life without Sterling Sawyer.
I left the car, locked it, and caught up to her, savoring the sound of her navy heels clicking on the sidewalk. I pushed open the door to the bank and stood back, allowing her to enter before me. I’d swear every head in the bank turned, the entire room holding its breath as she strode in, her golden hair shining under the lights, diamonds flashing at her ears and around her neck. I had a second to wonder about the jewelry—especially the ring on her finger—before she was approached by a handsome young banker in a suit.
“May I help you?” he asked, not sparing a glance for me, all his focus on Sterling. I didn’t blame him. It was for the best, anyway, since I had no idea what the plan was.
“We have a safe deposit box,” Sterling said, her voice smooth, cool, and filled with assurance.
“Oh, well, if you give me the number,” he began.
“Box 42001,” Sterling said, finishing with a slight curve of her lips.
The young man’s eyes widened, I thought at Sterling’s little smile. I soon realized I was wrong when he said, “Excuse me, I just need to check something. Why don’t you have a seat?” He pointed to a love seat awkwardly set in the middle of the lobby beside a table holding a cut crystal candy bowl.
“Of course. Thank you,” Sterling said, nudging me with her elbow. She turned and made herself comfortable on the loveseat, helping herself to a butterscotch. The banker’s response seemed to have confirmed something for her based on the slightly smug smile she wore.
“Were you expecting that?” I asked, wanting to know what was going on in that head of hers. She’d worked her way through my father’s code with equal parts excitement and frustration. Watching her face as she sucked on the butterscotch and smiled to herself, I wondered if she knew that she herself was a code, and I’d give anything for the key.
Sterling didn’t answer my question, but I thought I was right. She hadn’t expected to be led straight to the box, though she’d been expecting something. Maybe not the banker’s exact response, but something out of the ordinary. I was growing more curious by the second, but given her reaction to my questions earlier, I thought I’d get further if I kept my mouth shut for now.
We waited, the minutes ticking by. The young banker didn’t return, and no one approached. Finally, a woman appeared before us wearing a gray suit with a pink flower tucked in the pocket, her white hair in a precise bob, reading glasses perched on her nose.
Chapter Four
FORREST
“You’re here inquiring after box number 42001?” she asked.
Sterling stood. “We are,” she confirmed.
I shifted my gaze from Sterling to the woman in front of me and held out my hand. “Forrest Powell,” I said, and to my surprise, her eyes lit up, her fingers closing around mine in a tight squeeze.
“I should have known,” she said. “You have the look of your father, except for that hair. That you got from your mother. I’m Madelyn Grady.”
I smiled back at her, searching my memory for her face. “I’m sorry, I don’t—”
“Oh, no, the last time you saw me, you were in short pants. But I knew your parents well. It’s wonderful to see you all grown up. Alan said one day you’d come for the box.” Her smile faded as her gaze shifted to Sterling. “Unfortunately,” she continued, “we can’t go any farther. Alan stipulated that only family is permitted, I’m afraid.”
But it was my day for surprises. Sterling turned to me, her left hand raising to rest on my shoulder. I took in the diamond flashing on her ring finger and had only a second to wonder what the hell she was up to before she gave Madelyn Grady a blinding smile and said, “I’m his fiancée, Sterling Sawyer.”
Sterling leaned back to hold out her right hand, startling Mrs. Grady into a friendly handshake. Then she turned back to me, rose up on her toes, and pressed a lingering kiss to the side of my jaw. My brain froze. It was as if every dream I had came true in an explosion of congratulations and happy smiles and the fresh memory of Sterling’s kiss.
Reality slammed back into me a second later, the dream slipping away as Sterling slid from my arms. I realized at once I could play a part as well as she could. Turning my head, I brushed my lips over hers, my arm winding around her waist, holding her against me, drawing in her surprised gasp.
She melted against me, her lips so soft under mine. For a moment, I forgot entirely where we were and what was at stake. For those few seconds, she was my girl again, and I had everything I wanted.