Promise (Venture Capitalist Book 2)

by Ainsley St Claire

  “Catherine has Sara’s e-mail address, and I’d encourage them to reach out to her. I know she would love to get to know them.”

  “Was it as bad as she described?”

  “I think it was worse. But when she was a teenager, she went to live with Jim and Carol. They were the first people who loved her. While they’re not her legal parents, they’ve always been there for her. They got her into college with great scholarships and then to law school at UCLA.”

  He nods, and I see a bit of pride. “I hope to one day sit down and have some time with her.”

  “I hope for your sake that happens, too.”

  I’m happy for Sara. I know this is new and may make it awkward that my future father-in-law works for me, but together, Sara and I can do anything.

  Sara meets me at the airport when I return from Seattle, a few paparazzi hanging out around her. She’s the flavor of the month. When I descend on the escalator, she opens a piece of paper just long enough for me to see that says ‘Hot guy.’ We laugh and embrace, and she kisses me while the camera bulbs pop.

  As we drive to Stinson, I share with her what Paul said. She wipes a few tears away, then tells me, “I’d like to get to know my brothers and sisters. It wasn’t their fault that our mom is a crazy bitch.”

  Laughing, I assure her, “All moms can be crazy bitches, you know.”

  “Not yours.”

  “Even CeCe would tell you she can be crazy. Don’t be fooled.”

  “Well, you’re going to meet Jim and Carol tonight. Are you nervous?”

  “Terribly.” I’ve been looking forward to meeting them, but I’m also nervous. What if they don’t approve of all the attention I receive? What if they don’t like me? I can only hope that they can see how much I love Sara and how much I want to take care of her.

  “Good. You can be nervous. Carol was an inner-city school teacher. She knows some real thugs, and Jim, he’s an engineer. He knows where all the fresh concrete is being poured, so he knows where to bury you.”

  “I guess it’s a good thing the paparazzi are around every corner. Then again, it would be top ratings for them to get pictures of my dead body.”

  We laugh all the way to Stinson, and haven’t been here long when Jim and Carol arrive. I love them immediately. I can see some of Sara’s characteristics in Carol; I guess sometimes it isn’t genetic.

  When I walk them out to the deck, Jim and Carol are stunned.

  “You did all of this?” Carol gushes.

  “This is too much,” Jim stammers.

  “It’s the least I can do.”

  We have drinks on the patio and enjoy the early spring evening, taking in the beautiful evening and the sunset. Sara reaches for me, and we hold hands while we talk. I see Carol spot our clasped hands, and she smiles bigger than she did when she saw the deck. She knows this is a big deal, too.

  When Sara runs inside to get the chicken for the grill, Jim says, “Sara seems quite taken with you.”

  My stomach flips and my heart rate quickens. “Well, honestly I’m quite taken with her. As I’ve had the opportunity to get to know her well, I’ve come to realize that I am positively, completely and with all of my being in love with her. She’s the woman who centers me and I’m hoping, with your permission, to ask her to marry me.”

  Staring me squarely in the eyes, he tells me, “You do realize that she will do whatever she wants.”

  Nodding, I reply, “I do. But I also know she’s traditional, and while you may never tell her I asked for permission, I know that if she finds out, she’ll be much happier to know that we’ve discussed this.”

  Slightly above a whisper, Carol says, “When she came to us when she was thirteen, she wouldn’t let us touch her for the first year and a half. It took us a long time to break those walls down. Despite what this big lug says”—she pushes his shoulder—“I think it’s a wonderful idea.”

  “You know, we may have you sign a prenuptial agreement,” Jim states firmly.

  “Jim!” Carol swears.

  Turning to her, he contends, “Carol, Sara has earned her wealth, and I don’t want some tabloid porn star to only be interested in her money.”

  Turning ashen, Carol reminds him, “Jim, I think Trey is doing okay financially, and Sara told us those sex videos were released by some crazy girl.”

  My heart warms that Jim and Carol are worried about her. I hold my hand up before Sara hears and figures out what I’m trying to do. Leaning in, I assure them, “Jim and Carol, I love Sara, and I want to be with her for the rest of my life. I don’t believe in divorce. However, I do know that Sara most likely has much more money than I do. I have no problem whatsoever signing any agreement you or she wants, because I don’t think it’s anything we’ll ever need.”

  Carol wipes a tear from her eyes and starts to say something when Sara appears and asks, “What’s going on?”

  “I’m just so overwhelmed by Trey’s thoughtfulness with this patio,” Carol tells her. “It’s so lovely to sit here and enjoy the sunset.”

  I breathe a sigh of relief to know that she likes the patio, but also that she didn’t give away my plans. “Is there anything I can do to help with our feast?”

  Ruffling my hair, Sara says, “Mackenzie took very good care of us.” She turns to Jim. “And she included your favorite—a berry cobbler with homemade cinnamon ice cream.”

  Carol pats him on the knee and grins. “Today is a good day.”

  After dinner, Carol and Sara go inside to talk about Emerson and Dillon’s wedding, leaving Jim and me talking about the Giants’ season and our lack of optimism for a World Series in their immediate future. Suddenly, Jim gets very serious and says, “Well, to answer your question from before dinner, you do know that isn’t up to us, but I have to say I’ve never seen her so in love. When are you going to ask her?”

  “I’m not sure, but probably soon.”

  He nods. “We’ll be happy to have you as part of our family.”

  I’m over the moon. Now to plan how to make the proposal memorable.

  The chaos of Sara’s biological family dies down in the tabloids, though Sara herself is in the gossip columns longer than expected, the publicity of her rags-to-riches story a real pull. She’s the consummate professional when it comes to handling the media, working hard to take public transportation everywhere she goes with a string of photographers following her every move. She tells me she’s often surprised when young women approach and ask for her autograph or to have their picture taken with her, but she’s always gracious and does her best to accommodate.

  Elizabeth and Annabel are happily taking work off her plate. She’s down to working sixty-hour work weeks, which is still crazy, but at least when she’s not working, she’s all mine.

  She’s exchanging e-mails with her sisters, Grace and Mary, who’d like to come down and see her, but she’s holding them back. “The paparazzi needs to die down a bit more so we can enjoy all that San Francisco has to offer without an audience.”

  Since the craziness has finally slowed down and we seem to be managing a bit of a private life again, I figure it’s time.

  It’s Saturday night, and Sara has spent the day at the office. She’s late, so I have the chance to introduce Jim and Carol to my parents. Carol confides to my mom, “That girl will be late to her own funeral. She’ll want to do two more things and go to the bathroom before they close her casket.”

  Carol and my mom quickly bond over their children as my dad and Jim head out of sight so they can enjoy a drink and get to know each other. I hear CeCe telling Hadlee and Greer about a recent matchme.com date, something about him wearing an ankle monitor.

  “No way,” Greer exclaims. “He took you to McDonald's for dinner? Did he have a coupon, too?”

  CeCe gazes at me, “It’s no wonder why many of my friends are single in this city.” Sitting beneath the stars in Del Popolo's whimsical garden patio situated next to a rustic, ivy-covered wall, we have one table for the two of us
. I’ve booked the entire garden to enjoy a romantic evening. The engagement ring’s in my pocket, and I’m nervous. Almost everyone knows tonight is the night. I thought Hadlee was going to accidentally share the secret, but with CeCe’s help, they covered their tracks, and Sara’s none the wiser.

  Emerson texts me: She’s finally leaving. She had to get dressed in something other than jeans and a sweater. We’ll be behind her shortly. Good luck!

  I scoot everyone to a different private room where they’re having their own dinner that CeCe helped me order. I think she’s more excited than I am. I pace while I wait for Sara to finally arrive.

  She’s a vision when she arrives, her hair up in a loose bun that goes well with her beautiful short brown dress with a simple gold drop necklace and long brown boots. My heart skips a beat when she comes into the garden and whispers, “It’s so beautiful and romantic.”

  “I thought we could enjoy a night out paparazzi free.”

  “You and your camera-ready friends,” she says with a sly smile.

  I bring her into my arms. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  She’s absolutely clueless, has no idea that everyone is outside waiting for the signal to come in. I keep checking my jacket pocket to make sure the ring is still there.

  Sara stares at me concerned, “Trey are you okay? You keep grasping your heart. Should I call 9-1-1?”

  “I’m fine.” Reaching across the table, I take her hand as our dessert is delivered, then get down on one knee and ask, “Sara, from the moment I met you, I knew you were smart, sexy and beautiful on the inside and the outside. I also knew you were the one for me. Please make me the happiest man in the world and agree to marry me.”

  She nods and cries but doesn’t speak. I finally ask, “Is that a yes?”

  She laughs and says resoundingly, “Yes! I’ll marry you! I love you with all my heart, and I want to share the rest of my life with you.”

  I slip an eighteen-carat oval sapphire circled in four carats of small diamonds set in a platinum band on her left hand.

  We stand and fall into a deep and passionate kiss. I’m euphoric.

  The waiter opens the door to the garden, and in flood our family and friends popping champagne bottles. The waitstaff fills the room with additional tables and a buffet of several desserts. Everyone is hugging us, and we’re already fielding questions about the wedding date.

  Sara is glowing, and I’ve never been so happy. She’s talking to our friends and family, and nothing seems to faze her.

  A spoon taps the side of a glass and CeCe says, “I’d like to say a toast to the newly engaged couple, please raise your glasses and join me.” CeCe has a few items with her. Turning to us, she begins, “To my amazing twin brother, Charles Michael Arnault, the third and Sara Elizabeth White. I like to say a toast to the newly engaged couple. I offer you,” and she lift a small bottle and hands it to me, “this jar of cinnamon to add spice to your life.” Reaching for the next item, “I offer you this red paper lantern as a symbol that you will always find joy and good fortune.” She hands it to us before reaching for a blue cashmere throw, “And, for this blanket to keep you warm.” She shows a beautiful designed loaf of bread that looks much too good to eat. “This loaf of bread so that your home never knows hunger.” Picking up the last item, “And, finally this glass to share not only a fine wine but also so that your home will have prosperity and happiness. May your future always be bright. I toast to Trey and Sara. Sara and Trey—we love you.”

  Everyone lifts a glass and we hear “Cheers” and “Here! Here!”

  Sara takes the microphone from CeCe and says, “Thank you all for being here. I can’t tell you how much this means to Trey and me. For a girl who really started with nothing—no parents, no family, no home and no safety net—glancing around this room and seeing so many people who’ve made such a difference in my life….” She starts to weep. “I’ve had so much, and I’m so grateful that you’re here to celebrate with us.”

  I reach in and give her a tight hug. “I’ll love you forever.”

  Thank you!

  Thanks for reading Venture Capitalist: Promise. I do hope you enjoyed Trey and Sara’s story and reading the second in the Venture Capitalist series. I appreciate your help in spreading the word, including telling a friend. Before you go, it would mean so much to me if you would take a few minutes to write a review and capture how you feel about what you’ve read so others may find my work. Reviews help readers find books. Please leave a review on your favorite book site.

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  Other Books by Ainsley St Claire

  If you loved Venture Capitalist: Promise, you might enjoy the other sensual, sexy and romantic stories and books she has published.

  The Golf Lesson (An Erotic Short Story)

  In a Perfect World

  Venture Capitalist: Forbidden Love

  About Ainsley

  Ainsley St Claire is a contemporary romance author and adventurer on a lifelong mission to craft sultry storylines and steamy love scenes that captivate her readers. To date, she’s best known for her debut “naughty Nicholas Sparks” novel entitled In A Perfect World.

  An avid reader since the age of four, Ainsley’s love of books knew no genre. After reading came her love of writing, fully immersing herself in the colorful, impassioned world of contemporary romance.

  Ainsley’s passion immediately shifted to a vocation when, during a night of terrible insomnia, her first book came to her. Ultimately, this is what inspired her to take that next big step. The moment she wrote her first story, the rest was history.

  Currently, Ainsley is in the midst of writing her Venture Capitalist series.

  When she isn’t being a bookworm or typing away her next story on her computer, Ainsley enjoys spending quality family time with her loved ones. She’s happily married to her amazing soul mate and is a proud mother of two rambunctious boys. She is also a scotch aficionada and lover of good food (especially melt-in-your-mouth, velvety chocolate). Outside of books, family, and food, Ainsley is a professional sports spectator and an equally terrible golfer and tennis player.