Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
“How did he react when your mother died? Did he comfort you? Stay with you?”
“No. He sent people to pick us up from the foster home. He greeted us when we arrived home but was reserved. I went to their room the next day and barely recognized it. The furniture was different, all traces of her gone. I asked him, and he ignored me. I never saw him shed a tear or break down. He was never warm and loving like Mom, but he was Dad, you know? After she died, he became a polite stranger.”
“What kind of business did he run?”
“He was into real estate, shopping stores, hotel chains, so many things. He loved getting in on the ground floor and making money. He was brilliant. He could spot a solid investment, and he was never wrong.” I took a deep breath. “His very first venture, one only he owned, is still one of the most profitable and privately owned stores here. Zoles.”
She blinked. “Zoles.”
“Yes.”
“Where I met you?”
“Yes.”
“You own Zoles.”
“Yes.”
“Why were you there? You said you hated it.”
“I did. I do. It took so much of my father’s time. I used to hate what it represented. It robbed me of him. If he had to choose between it and me, it won every time. I still resent it, but I own it.” I tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I can’t sell it because my mother loved it. Everything about it. He named it after them. Zoe and Les. Zoles. Selling it feels wrong because of the love my mother had for it. When I grew up, I realized maybe my father spent so much of his energy on it because of what it meant to her. That maybe he was as lost as we were, but unable to admit it. That helped me forgive him. So, I keep it. In her memory.”
“Asher,” she whispered.
“I was there because every year, Zoles comes out with a limited crystal Christmas ornament. It was my mother’s idea, and it was and is huge. She gave Suzy one every year until she died. I carried on the tradition. The first Christmas after she was gone, I figured out my father wouldn’t think to buy her one, and I made my way to his office, which was on the top floor of the store in those days. I spoke to his secretary, and she took me downstairs and helped me buy the ornament.”
“At seven years old,” she said. “You went all by yourself?”
“Yes. I had the driver take me to the store, and I used the money my father gave us every week as an allowance. Mrs. Fairmount made sure my name was on the list so I could buy one every year for Suzy. I have never missed one. She insists I buy it for her.”
“And your driver still takes you to pick it up?” she teased gently.
I laughed, grateful she was trying to lighten the atmosphere. “I usually drive myself.”
She nodded. “Your story would have been more dramatic if you’d had to take the bus instead of being chauffeured. Sort of takes away from the whole image. The big allowance thing was sort of a letdown too. Most seven-year-olds can’t afford crystal. You should have had to save for months by collecting bottles and stuff. You should rethink it the next time you tell it.”
I pulled her into my arms, chuckling. “I have only ever told you, but I’ll keep that in mind.”
She held me tight. “I’m sorry for what you went through, Asher. I hate thinking of you alone, even if it was in a limo.”
I pressed a kiss to her head. “I’m not alone now.”
She looked up, cupping my face. She pressed her mouth to mine.
“No, you’re not.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
ROSIE
I held Asher close, his embrace tight. We sat for a while, not speaking, not moving, simply locked together.
He was a proud, strong man, and he had just allowed me to see his vulnerable side—one I was certain few ever saw. Instinctually, I knew he needed my embrace. To be held and comforted by my touch. I felt safe in his arms, and it made me feel incredible to know he felt the same way about my hold.
As a mother, I was horrified that he had found her dead at his young age. Left alone to figure out what to do. The thought of that happening to AJ was overwhelming. I understood Asher’s panic now and could allow for his feelings. He still had gone overboard, but given his history, I wasn’t angry anymore.
Asher shifted, and I eased back, cupping his face. His eyes were still dark with emotion, but some of the tension had fallen away.
“Thank you,” he said simply.
I leaned forward and kissed him affectionately. “Thank you for telling me.”