When Susan appears, I notice that she looks healthier. She’s put on a little weight, her eyes are less sunken, and her skin isn’t so ashen. It’s amazing what therapy, decent meals, and love can do for someone.
She comes to a halt in surprise when she sees us waiting for her, but her smile doesn’t waver. It’s as bright as the sun.
“Is this for me?” she asks timidly.
“Of course,” Carson says, stepping forward and handing her the roses.
“Wow, it’s been so long since I’ve been given flowers.”
“And chocolates,” Brayden says.
“Susan, allow me to introduce Brayden Copeland and Carson Monroe.”
Her eyes twinkle as the guys shake her hand. “I’m a huge fan,” she tells them, and then she looks over at me. “Thank you, Bodhi.”
I shrug because this isn’t a big deal. I know what she’s been through, and this is the least I could do for her.
“Don’t do that,” Susan tells me.
“Do what?” I ask her.
“Don’t act like this is something you do every day. The things you’ve done for me, what your family has offered…I’ll never be able to repay you.”
Stepping away from Kim, I place my hands on Susan’s shoulders and look her square in the eye. “Listen to me. We’ll never ask for repayment. You can stay as long as you want to, as long as you need to. Sometimes people need a break in life, and that is what we’re giving you. My parents are thrilled that you’re moving in, and my father is excited that you’ll be coming to work for him.”
“The apartment is very cute, Susan. Gabriela has gone a bit crazy decorating, but I think you’ll love it,” Kim adds.
Susan starts to cry, but Kim quickly envelops her in a hug. It’s another reason Kim’s coming with us today—to help Susan transition. I imagine it’s pretty damn scary being out on your own for the first time in months.
Kimberly helps Susan into the limo, and we pile in after her. Our first stop is Chateau Marmont, for lunch. We figured that Susan needs to see what it’s going to be like to dine with my father during the week. He’s always holding meetings here because the paparazzi aren’t allowed near the place.
Our drive back to Los Angeles is filled with jokes and a lot of laughter. At one point we have Susan laughing so hard that she’s holding her stomach and can barely catch her breath. It’s a nice sight to see. After lunch we head to my parents’, and my mother promptly whisks her away to show her the apartment.
Finally Kim and I are alone for a few minutes.
“Wanna take a walk?” I ask her. We link hands and venture outside, past the gate, and into the street. Luckily for us the m
edia frenzy died down quickly when they realized Kim was here to stay and wasn’t just a weekend fling.
We walk a few blocks until we come to a condo with a real estate agent’s SOLD sign out front. I lead us up the walkway and unlock the door to my newly purchased house. I know it’s a risk, but I’m hoping she likes it. Otherwise it’s going back on the market.
“What’s this?”
“It’s something I wanted to show you.”
The entryway opens to a long hallway, with the living room and kitchen off to the left and a staircase on the right. Everything has been upgraded and painted, and the place is move-in ready. That’s the spiel the real estate agent gave me when she showed me the condo a few weeks ago.
Kim walks around and I follow behind her. I’ve been here many times imagining us living here and starting a family, but if she doesn’t like it, I’ll buy something else.
“The kitchen is beautiful.” And it is, with its stainless-steel appliances, buttermilk-colored cabinets, and hardwood floors. The kitchen was one of the big selling points for me, because I could see her being happy in here.
“As long as you’re standing in it, it is.” I go over to her and lift her up on the counter. The thought occurs to me that it’s the perfect height for me to fuck her on. “I bought this house for us.”
“You did?” Her eyes light up, confirming for me that she loves it as much as I do.
“I did, but I had to bring you here to test a few things.”
“Like what?”