Sweet Love - Mia Kayla Page 0,33

my father died, my mother only reiterated how much was riding on the line, and that’s why I went into computers because it’s a good-paying job.

“We didn’t have a lot when I was younger. They both worked blue-collar jobs. My mom was a secretary, and my father worked for a printing company, fixing the printers.” I bit my bottom lip. “We struggled a bit, and I got that she didn’t want me to feel it.”

And I had felt it—with my thrift-store clothes and my worn-out gym shoes, compared to others who had more. It was fine though. I’d had my own group of friends who didn’t care what the latest trend in fashion was. Most of all, I’d had a happy and full childhood.

“That’s a shitty thing to say. And absolutely false. I know a handful of people in your industry. I know Nui Cavinchi.”

I stared at him, mouth agape—like, seriously, I could fit a ping-pong ball in there.

“The painter, the art dealer, and the social media queen–slash–influencer, who has over a million followers on Instagram?” My eyes widened.

“When I told you I knew people in the industry, I wasn’t kidding around.”

I freaked. Inside though. Because it wouldn’t be cool to start screaming like a banshee.

I stalked Nui on social media, on her blog, on her podcast. I knew the names of her animals and her favorite burger joint. It was bad. She was a painter and also a buyer because not only did she have talent, but she also had a good eye. One post from her, and you would be a viral sensation.

“How do you know her?” My tone was even, but inside, I was freaking the heck out.

Connor was basically famous by association, given her status.

“We went on a date.” There was a lightness in his tone.

I jerked back and pointed to him, unbelieving. “You? You dated Nui Cavinchi.” This time, my face didn’t hide a thing.

Why was I so surprised? They were both wealthy and insanely good-looking. They had that in common, as all things went.

“I did. It was one date, and I think I bored her to death. We’d met through mutual friends.” He laughed. “I actually didn’t really know who she was until our date, until she showed me her artwork. Pictures on her phone. And then I looked her up, and to say I was blown away would be an understatement.”

The rain pounded harder against the windshield, and Connor slowed his pace. At this point, we were going ten miles an hour with no one on the streets.

“What happened?” Curiosity got the best of me, and I had to know.

“We weren’t compatible. So, there wasn’t a second date, but we’ve remained good friends.”

I blinked at him and then blinked again and again.

He caught my stare and laughed. “Which is another reason you should help me. I meant it, Charlie. I’m going to introduce you to people who will acknowledge your talents and tell the world about them.”

My heart sped up in my chest, and all I could do was stare at his side profile as his eyes remained glued to the road in front of us.

“Okay.” My voice sounded unsure because, for a little bit, it was like a dream, a too good to be true dream.

For once, it seemed like everything was falling into place for me. A job that wasn’t horrible, new friends, an upcoming exhibit, and possibly—if everything worked out—I’d get noticed for my talents, and maybe this would be the start of something grand.

“If you help me, I promise I will introduce you to Nui.”

Little did he know that I’d decided to help him anyway.

“Okay.”

“Okay? You could sound a little bit more enthusiastic.” He pulled into our gated community and followed his navigation down the winding road.

“I’m still in shock. You could’ve told me you knew Brad Pitt, and I wouldn’t be this excited.”

Seriously … Nui Cavinchi.

The navigation led Connor to the McMansion I now lived in. He parked in front of the driveway and turned to face me.

“There’s no doubt that she’ll agree that you have talent. You just need to help me with this, and I’ll make the introduction. Easy. The only thing I ask is, you never doubt or question your abilities to do this, to help with this launch. Because I know you can.” There was such conviction in his tone, in his words.

In that moment, I wanted to kiss him. Kiss him because I was so grateful, because he was so hot, or because