The Man I Thought I Trusted - E. L. Todd Page 0,43
around at all the luxury. “Not really my thing. You know I’m a burger and fries kind of girl. I’m not into Cristal and caviar. I keep it real.”
“Is there somewhere else you’d like to live?”
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “I get the option?”
“Of course. I want to be with you—even if that means renting the apartment above Mega Shake.”
When she laughed, it was so beautiful, the smile that stretched across her face. Her eyes lit up like fireworks, and I memorized it so I could think about it during my boring meetings, when I had to work late and couldn’t be with her. “I don’t know if I’d want to live there…”
“Then wherever you want. I really don’t care.”
Her hand moved to my arm, and she gently rubbed my skin, her gaze becoming serious. “Here is fine.”
“You’re sure?”
She nodded. “Moving is a bitch.”
My lips softened into a smile. “It sounds like you’re saying yes…”
Her cheeks started to blush slightly, like she couldn’t believe she was making such a spontaneous decision. “Well, are you saying yes?”
“Yes. A million times.”
“Then…yes.”
I inhaled a deep breath as I looked at the confidence in her gaze, the fact that she knew she wanted to be with me, to leave the comfort of her home and start a life with me. It was like living in a dream, having the one woman you wanted want you in the same way. “That makes me really happy.”
“It does?” she whispered.
“Yes. Just don’t try to vacuum.”
That laughter came back, reaching her eyes. Her laughter was infectious, so I joined her.
“Alright…I guess I’m moving. But I could just leave my stuff there, and Charlie can turn my room into a guest bedroom.”
“You’re welcome to bring your stuff here. I can get rid of some things to make room.”
Her eyes softened all over again, reaching a new depth.
“What?” I whispered.
“That was why I said yes.”
I stared at her face, unsure what she meant. But I knew she would tell me if I gave her the floor.
“That’s why I agreed to compromise. Because you’re willing to compromise. When you told me you would step down as the big CEO to be there for our kids so I could keep working, that meant a lot to me. To find a man who would step back so I could go first…is impossible to describe. You’re a billionaire, but you’ll never make a fuss about me staying home and doing yoga or some shit. You’ll let me live my life the way I want so I’ll have no regrets. And if any woman is lucky enough to find a man like that, she’s got to do whatever she can to hold on to him.”
Transfixed by the emotion in her face, I stared at her. “Because I’m the right man for you…just as you’re the right woman for me.”
16
Carson
Charlie sat on the couch and watched the TV, a beer on the table beside him. He was in sweatpants and a shirt, watching the TV with a sleepy gaze like he was ready for bed but too lazy to get up and walk into the bedroom.
“So, what’s going on with Denise?”
Charlie turned to look at me, clearly surprised by the question. “Nothing. We’re just talking.”
“Why is that all you’re doing?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Still seems weird.”
“I think it’s weirder that you haven’t done anything.”
He gave another shrug. “I guess.”
“And I’m moving out, so…you should think about who will replace me.”
Charlie did a double take when he heard that information. “Say what? Back up. You’re moving out? And where are you going?”
“Oh, come on. Where do you think I’m going?” I rolled my eyes.
“He asked you to move in with him?”
I nodded. “Yep.”
“Wow…Carson is moving out.” He threw his arms in the air in celebration. “Fuck yes.”
I rolled my eyes again. “Whatever. I know you’re sad.”
“I’m not sad at all.”
“Yes, you are.”
He pivoted his body to look at me straight on. “On a scale of one to ten, my sadness level is a one.” He held up a single finger.
“Bullshit. It’s a seven.”
“Maybe a two.”
“Six.” I felt like we were negotiating back and forth over a deal.
His eyes narrowed. “Four.”
“Five.”
He paused for a while before he gave a slight nod. “Okay…five.”
I smiled. “I knew it.”
“So I’m half-and-half. I’m happy that you are moving in with this guy and getting on with your life, but I’m also sad that I won’t get to see you all the time.”