Sugar Pie by Victoria Pinder
32
Warren
I finished my day working on a cabinet installation and headed home. Soon, I would be done with the project, but as I was early, I kissed Kerry’s cheek as she spoke to Jeff and we both signed our partnership papers.
I did the same, but the second she was off the phone, I openly stared at her in her green T-shirt and bare legs. “You’re cute, working in my shirt.”
She shook her head then opened her laptop. I signed the partnership on my phone, so I was sure she’d gotten the emailed version which made everything official.
She didn’t say anything at first. “We need to fill your schedule and start working on the next phase of our building plan, now that you have the blueprints and overall layout schematics. So I’m submitting bids.”
I wrapped my arms around her. I wanted to get her away from the computer. “Sounds good.”
I brushed against her chest, but my phone rang. She blinked and handed me my phone as she said, “Answer your brother, and I’ll finish the bids and work for the day.”
Her work ethic was commendable. I nodded and answered. “Gerard. Hey.”
As I sat on the couch to watch Kerry’s sexy legs curl under her squishable butt, my brother said, “So… Ashley is coming to Mom’s family dinner.”
My eyes widened. “Did you invite her?”
“No. Mom came over and invited her.”
That wasn’t good. If Maman came in our apartment just then, Kerry might run for the hills… or she would be enchanted, and I would gain an ally. I shook off the thought and asked my brother about his problem. “Is she your girlfriend again?”
“No. I’ve never been this complicated in my life.”
Kerry sucked on her bottom lip, and I ached to have her again. “There is nothing complicated about knowing what you want.”
Gerard said, “Look, bring your new girlfriend to dinner.”
Kerry stared at me, and I knew her frozen pose wasn’t good.
I stood, put my hand in my pocket, and said, “We’ll see.”
She closed the laptop but didn’t say anything until I finished the goodbyes to my brother. She stood and didn’t look at me. “Did he say ‘girlfriend’?”
I took her hands in mine and hoped she would meet my gaze. “He doesn’t know anything about us. Don’t worry about him or anything.”
She met my eyes. “You told your family we were more.”
I traced her cheek. “I didn’t. He made an assumption. Just be relaxed, and let’s finish working so we can go to bed.”
“I’m done, but I need a few minutes for a shower.” She slipped out of my arms before I could kiss her.
I suddenly realized that she wanted to run away. It was in her eyes—I didn’t imagine it. I needed her to trust me, which meant I needed to show her what life in my world could have been if I’d decided to stay there. It was time to show her how life with me could have been, which meant that I had to become Warren Norouzi again.
