“That’s why I wanted to talk to you. If I’m your lawyer, then you’re my client, and you need to direct me on what to do.”
“I…” I wasn’t used to getting what I wanted so easily. I lifted my chin. “I’d like a divorce and full custody of my daughter. She’ll testify that she wants to stay with me and not go back.”
The Norouzi boys were a one-stop shop for love, medical advice, and legal help. Now, if I could get one of them to fix my car, I’d be set.
Jeff, the lawyer, said, ”On it. Mom said you had bruises, so take some pictures and send them to me as soon as you can, but for now, go get settled. We’ll talk later.”
My heart raced. Jeff sounded normal talking about it, though Arman seemed stiff. I reached for Jeff’s arm and squeezed it. “Thanks, Jeff. Nice to see you both again.”
“No problem.” Jeff slid around us.
Arman rubbed my arm, and I stopped massaging his. “My family’s all jumping in, it seems.” He seemed agitated.
I narrowed my eyes and wondered why. Then his mother opened a door and told Aurora, “This is your room.”
Blush curtains that went from top to bottom and black-and-white photos of London, Paris, and Sydney hung on the walls as if the room had been designed for my daughter, who dreamed of traveling. With her eyes wide-open, she asked, “Is this for me?”
Roxanne held her shoulders and spun her around to face the view of the ocean. “Do you like?”
“I love it.”
Roxanne pointed to the door. “I need to speak to Arman for thirty seconds in the hall.”
“Of course.” He let me go.
Once the door was closed, Aurora said, “Our old house was smaller than this room. Can I play volleyball with the Solomons tomorrow?”
I hugged her. “Absolutely. It’s okay to talk to anyone who you think is a good person.” My heart told me I’d been lying to it for years about people being dangerous.
The door opened, and Arman said, “We overheard you. I wanted to add that you can invite them to our private beach and use our court, right there, if you want.”
She brightened. “I’m texting them now.”
Damn. I was drawn to him even more. I wanted to hug him, but I held back. “Does your mother still have that library?”
Aurora’s gaze narrowed. “Library?”
Roxanne waved for us to follow her. “Come, Aurora.” We climbed the corner stairs to another level and then headed into a huge room. My daughter held her breath. Roxanne flipped on the lights. Books were everywhere, and there were ladders. “Feel free to read anything you want in here.”
Aurora gazed at the books stacked near the vaulted ceilings. “I’m never leaving here.”
“We have more in our New York home.” Roxanne’s phone rang, and she said, “Arman will have to show your mom her room. It’s directly across from yours.”
Aurora reached for a book. “I’ll see you later, Mom.”
Roxanne walked off to take her call. Arman and I backed out of the room and climbed down the stairs. On the bottom step, I got goose bumps. We were alone. I lowered my voice. “You’re good with kids, Arman.”
He directed me downstairs to a room with a beach view. “One day, I want my own.”
My heart thumped faster. He would be a wonderful dad and husband. “That’s great.”
The next oldest brother, Cyrus, passed us without a word as he rushed out the door. He’d always been a reader, like my daughter. As the engine roared outside, I asked, “What’s going on with Cyrus?”
Arman and I headed through a door and into the galley kitchen, which a chef would have loved. “He entered a dance competition.”
“Seriously?” I had a hard time imagining his serious brother dancing.
Arman held the door open. “He’s more stressed about that than about heart surgery.”
I smelled the salty air as we glanced down the bluff that the house was built on. We walked toward the edge, where we stared at the ocean and the opening to the cave we’d been in earlier. I wanted to hold his hand, but I resisted. “Why?”
We climbed to the rocks where we could stare straight down a cliff at the ocean. I found a spot to enjoy the view. I wanted to hear more about his family.
“I don’t know,” he said. “He took the classes because he wanted a kind of stress relief, and now he’s practicing on vacation.”
I glanced at the ocean, which seemed endless. “Hobbies are nice. I wish I’d followed through on a few of my hobbies.”
He tossed a small rock into the ocean far below us. “There’s still time. What’s the first thing you want in your life?”
For the past few years, I’d learned that I could depend on myself and get by with very little. If I had someone like Arman in my life and heart forever, I would never get used to the stability. I’d lose who I was and disappear like a ship in the night.
And I had no answer for his question. I wasn’t sure if I had a dream, so I only said, “To get started on work.”
His nose wrinkled. “Part of me wishes I hadn’t offered that to you.”
My heart froze, and I sucked on my bottom lip. I would have nothing if he took his offer away. “Oh no. Why?”
He placed his hand on mine. “Because I’d like to date you.”
He was mine, and I was his. The spark between us was there, and this was more than I’d felt in years. I took my hand back and hugged my waist. “I’m not ready for that. Being friends is better.”
He stared out at the ocean. “Fair enough. I’d never pressure you, and you’ll be a great a party planner for me.”
My shoulders slumped. I’d disappointed him. His entire family had raised him well, and I needed to prove my worth. I moved closer to him. “I’m on it.”
“I know you are.”
The smile on his face made my body ache. I was sure that if we kissed, he would make me feel whole. He’d be the opposite of the cold nothing I’d been living in for a decade. If I hadn’t thought he deserved better, I’d have followed through on my instinct to find out. But the truth was, if he pressed, I would give him everything I had.
Madeleine
We headed into the house, and Arman got a call from his business partner, Joel. As he took the call, I rushed upstairs. Aurora was involved in a book.
I hurried to my room to change for the beach. In my bag was an old pair of shorts. I’d worn them so many times that long ago summer with Arman. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d worn shorts since. Bob had said anything that went midthigh made me look like a whore, but I’d kept them, telling myself that my memories didn’t make me a bad person, though it was probably really a way to remember Arman. It had been hard to imagine that what Bob said was true, as I’d worn shorts every summer of my life, even in my parents’ house, because of the beach.
So I decided to brave the shorts after a decade of avoiding them. Luckily, I still squeezed into them without too much trouble. I glanced in the mirror. My bruises were almost gone, and I glimpsed a glint in my eye that reminded me of my old self, who loved the beach, staring back at me. I lifted my chin and gave a big smile. Arman had always liked me in shorts.
I left my room, and he waved for me to join him on the patio. I bounced down the stairs, and as I stepped outside, I found that he and his brothers were enjoying afternoon snacks, buffet style. My stomach grumbled, so I grabbed an apple for later and slid into a table, across from Arman.
He said, “Elon wanted to talk to you. After, let’s head to the boat and work before we parasail.”
I glanced around the patio. Some of his brothers were deep in conversation at another table, but Elon wasn’t one of them. Waiters delivered tea to their table and then came over to us. Black tea was the family beverage of choice.
Arman’s words echoed in my mind, and I raised an eyebrow. “You want to go parasailing?”
He nodded like that was a normal suggestion. “I’m open to alternatives.”
I sucked on my bottom lip and wis
hed my skin wasn’t all aching with need for Arman’s touch. Except for him and Aurora, I hated being held. I added sugar to my tea and sat back to let it cool. “I don’t know if I have a bathing suit.”
He took out his phone, typed, sipped his tea like he enjoyed its heat, and then put both his phone and tea down. “That’s fixed. We’ll leave in an hour.”
I leaned forward. “Did you just order me one on your phone?”
He winked. “To be delivered. I need to add the apps with my accounts to your phone so you can order whatever we need for business.”
I took out my phone and put it on the table. Then I stirred my tea. “Here it is.” I tested the temperature of the tea.
He picked up my phone and stared at it like it was an ancient artifact, which it was, as I hadn’t upgraded since our long-ago high school days. “And we’re upgrading this so you can work with what I need.”
I took it back and shook my head. “I need to stop accepting things so easily from you.”
We sipped our tea, but I stopped when he winked. “The phone is for your job, but we both know you like me.”
“You think you know me so well.”
We stood to go, and I got goose bumps all over my body as he bumped into me. “There’s my vixen party planner.”
As we headed to the front door, Elon came down the stairs and snapped his fingers. “Arman, can I talk to Madeleine alone?”
He stepped back. “Sure.”
I reached behind me, took his arm, and lifted my chin. If the husband stitch was why sex was horrible, then he needed to know. It would be easier if we heard it together, so I said, “No. Whatever you found, I want Arman to hear. It’s probably bad news with the husband stitch.”
We walked into the front sitting room and closed the sliding door. As we sat, Elon said, “It’s not a recommended procedure.”
I scratched my neck. “So, this was done because Bob asked for it?”
He folded his hands in front of him. “I suppose there can be rare reasons for an episiotomy, but I don’t see anything in your chart to indicate that. I’ve delivered hundreds of babies so far, and I’ve never needed to do one.”
I massaged the back of my head. Labor had been long. “But I tore.”
He took out his phone and showed me a report with my name on it. “Stitches are normal but not the extra husband stitch.”
I should have asked questions. Bob clearly had a plan, as he’d been in and out of the hospital room for hours and showed up to speak about stitches. I asked, “So, doctors just listen to husbands?”
“No one’s ever asked me to do one.” He put his phone back and stared at me. “It‘s a practice from the 1950s. It’s supposed to make the vagina extra tight, but women often complain that it makes sex painful after birth. It’s not medically necessary, so your birth chart surprised me.”
I asked, “Can it be removed?” Stitches were usually removed once someone healed, but I’d heard that people died when the stitches made in the stomach for dieting were taken out.
He smiled. “Yes. We’d need to make an appointment, but I can have staff arrange for the simple fix whenever you need it.”
I breathed easier. It wasn’t my fault. Tears formed in my eyes. I’d held back screams of pain for years whenever Bob demanded sex. No wonder he’d laughed at me when I’d complained. He’d hurt me, but soon, all remnants of him would be erased from my body.
Arman stopped the memory with his sexy voice. “Is that what you want, Maddie?”
I took his hand and nodded fast as if the offer might disappear. Arman’s closeness kept me grounded. “I… I’m relieved. There is nothing wrong with me.”
He brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. “So, do you want Elon to help fix this?”
Steam rose inside of me from his gentle touch and his nearness. I turned away to focus. “Yes. I’ll need to set up a payment plan but… fixing me is important.”
“I can pay—” Arman started.
But his brother interrupted before I could tell him no. “I can schedule using a local ob-gyn’s office in New York today or next week. Just tell me when you want, and I’ll fit you in.”
“The sooner, the better. Today would be great,” I said. If I rid myself of the stitch, it would be like selling my ring at the pawn shop and having the cash to get home. Okay, maybe this is more important.
Arman nodded. “Thanks, Elon. Just tell us when.”
Elon gave us the thumbs-up and left.
My heart raced as I stood to walk out with Arman like all was normal. Breathing was hard, and it wasn’t because of the tightness of my shorts. We walked outside, and Arman rubbed my back. “How are you?”
I hugged him. I knew he was being cautious with me, but I needed his touch so I would know I wasn’t in a dream. I wasn’t a sinner destined for pain. Bob had said that to me when he’d known about the real problem the whole time.
I laughed and let Arman go. “Happier. Thank you.”
“Let’s get to work for a few minutes.” He directed me to the sailboat.
I’d forgotten all our plans. And my job. As we headed down to the docks, I came back down to earth. “Honestly, I’m going to enjoy planning your party. I penciled out a general plan and googled some restaurants near your address.”
We stepped onto the ship, and I showed him my list as we untied the dock lines. He said, “I like this restaurant.”
I wasn’t sure we’d have service beyond the bay, so I pulled out my phone. “I’ll RSVP right now.”
“Sounds good.” He handed me his credit card and headed to captain the ship.
I trailed behind, speaking to the restaurant and confirming. As I went to his side and checked the lines for the sail, I glanced up at the perfect blue sky. I’d missed this feeling of freedom.
The last time I’d sailed had been in the competition with Arman’s brothers and other teenagers for the race across the bay. We’d lost to Cyrus and Elon, and they’d teased us for the rest of the week, saying love made us weak. I laughed at the memory.
I finished with the sail, and as we settled into seats to enjoy the view, Arman asked me, “Why did you stop planning? You clearly enjoy this stuff.”
I folded my hands in my lap, deciding not to hold back much. “Bob was antisocial, and I thought get-togethers for anything other than religious services were sinful.” Every time I’d sinned, my cheeks had been red for days. But Arman didn’t know any of that and never would.
He checked our path. Nothing was in our way. “What about weddings?”
I stood to inspect where we were. “We were never invited.”
At the edge of the bay, where the open sea was clear, he tugged the lines to lower them. I jumped up and helped. It was good that we weren’t too far from shore, but staying here was like a tease and made me want to sail farther.
As we tied the sail in place, he said, “You were the one that dragged me places when we were kids, and I knew I’d never see you, but in New York, I had to go to my fair share of events, and I was always hoping you’d pop in somewhere unexpected.”
I dropped anchor. “I haven’t been to New York since I was a kid.”
He went downstairs in the boat and came out with the phone and a bag, which he tossed at me. “Speaking of that, I have properties we mostly use for clients. You can stay in one for as long as you need.”
I glanced inside and saw the black one-piece with flowers on the side. It was absolutely my style. I’d never be able to afford Manhattan prices, ever. I shook my head. “I don’t want you to spend a lot of money on me.”
“I already own it. It’s nothing.” His phone beeped, but he didn’t answer right away. His brown eyes held an emotion that had me hooked, wanting to find out what he’d say next. Then he read his text. “No sailing, it seems. Elon says he can fix you in two hours.”
The last remnants of Bob and that life were about to disappear. I stood and headed to the anchor. “Tell him I’m in.”
He worked the sa
ils, and together, we had the ship moving. He took the wheel, and I stayed beside him. The boat rocked. “Now, getting back to real estate, I already own property for clients. It’s free for you to go into one of mine if you don’t want to pick one out for yourself.”
I already saw the dock. The winds didn’t want us dawdling today. It had to be a sign. I took some of the ropes and moved the sails to angle us better. “That’s a better idea.” Neither of us said a word for a moment, and then as we neared the dock again, I asked, “Why are you so nice to me?”
He laughed. “Because I like you.”
I dropped the anchor. “So you want to save a damsel in distress?”
He jumped off the ship to tie the dock lines that I tossed toward him. “I like taking care of you and my family, but I don’t make a habit of chasing after people to help them.”
He finished with the back line, and I tugged at my shirt as we walked toward the front to the second one. “So, just because I’m getting your brother to fix me…” I tossed him the line, and he caught it. My face felt hot. “It doesn’t mean I want to…” He gazed at me, and I closed my eyes and said, “You know.”
He climbed back on board and took my hands. I met his eyes, and he said, “I’m not expecting anything and will never take anything you’re not willing to give.”
My lips longed for a kiss, but he wasn’t going to push. “You’re still a sweetheart. It’s why I like you too. Can you drive me to this appointment?”
He helped me off the ship as if I might fall and then walked with me. It was nice being near him. “We can parasail later. Let’s head to the house and grab the keys. After, I’ll treat for an ice cream.”
“You’re on. And sail tomorrow?” I felt carefree and easy as weight was lifted from my soul. I stared at his handsome profile and wished I’d made better choices years back.
“Absolutely.” He held the car door for me.
Arman was a gentleman. It was easy to like him and trust he would never hurt me. Maybe life was better with a partner like him, but I wasn’t going to hoist that sail.
Honey Bun: Virgin Cove Trillionaire Single Brothers Page 6
