Page 10 of Old Money

Tilly’s granddaughter, Marni, owns it now and brings us to a little private table in the back. I see her eyeing Sawyer, and for a minute, it makes me uncomfortable. Not because I give a shit what she thinks about me walking in here with a girl who is significantly younger than me, but because my protective instincts kick in whenever Sawyer is concerned. But I let out a long breath when she hands us our menus and slips back into the kitchen. Bendmere and the people in it are good to us. They practice discretion.

I watch her read the menu, and then I order us a bottle of the house wine and some mozzarella sticks.

Finally, we order our entrees, a steak for me and ravioli for her, and then it’s just the two of us.

“So,” I say, taking a bite of my salad, “a full academic scholarship, huh? So you’re real unintelligent, then.”

She giggles as she takes a sip of her wine.

“Did some research, did you?” she asks. I shrug and smile.

“Maybe. Tell me more about the parts that I can’t search,” I say. She looks at me through narrowed eyes for a minute then lets out a sigh.

“Well, there’s not much to tell. It’s just me and my mom. My parents had me at eighteen, and my dad ditched when he found out she was pregnant,” she says. “My grandparents kicked my mom out when she got pregnant, so it’s always just been us. She works three jobs to pay the bills. She’s the best person I know.” Her voice cracks a little bit, but she keeps going. “I applied to every state school and a bunch of others on the West Coast, but I got a full ride for academics to Carrington, so Carrington it was. Plan is to get my degree, get a job back home, and make it so she can finally breathe.”

I nod, hanging on every word she says.

“Full ride. Impressive. What is it that you want to do?” I ask.

“My degree will be in communications,” she says. “I’m not sure yet. Just something that pays the bills.” I nod. She takes a sip of wine, then she smiles. “You know, you’re not the only one who did some research.”

I raise an eyebrow and give her a half-smile as I take another sip of my wine.

“Oh yeah?” I ask. I hold my hand out. “Alright, then. Let’s see what you’ve learned.”

“Oldest of Cato Everett’s three sons. You’re next in line to run Everett Enterprises. You oversee most of the domestic businesses. Your youngest brother has a different mom than you and your middle brother. Your dad has a bit of a…reputation. Not super well-liked amongst people he employs. You arenotthe brother that dates all the models. You were engaged once about ten years ago, but it got called off,” she says nervously. She waits a beat, then she says, “And you’re thirty-seven.”

The corner of my mouth tugs up again.

“I am,” I say. “And you’re twenty-two.”

SAWYER

I’m chalking it up to the fact that this has been the most traumatic fever dream of a week ever, and that’s why I haven’t had a complete meltdown over the fact that I’ve been fully sponsored by one of the richest men on the fucking planet. Dinner felt so completely…normal. He doesn’tfeelrich, even when he’s paying the bill, even when his security picks us up, even when he’s spending thousands of dollars on a hotel suite for me like it’s pocket change.

Which, I guess it is.

There was a strange calmness all day with him, so much so that there were multiple times when I forgot why we were together in the first place, numerous times that I forgot how we met. And that’s what terrifies me about the fact that we’re approaching the hotel. Because in a few short minutes, he will pull away, and for the first time since the shooting, I’ll truly be alone.

I must have been in a daze, because I don’t realize Tyler has parked outside the Hyatt until Julian says my name.

“Sawyer?” he says. “You okay?”

“Hmm, oh, yeah, sorry,” I say with a nervous laugh. “Just tired. Thank you so much for today. Both of you,” I say, looking at Tyler through the rearview mirror. He smiles before getting out to walk around to my door. As I’m scooting toward the door, I feel Julian grab my hand.

“Are you going to be okay tonight?” he asks. I force a smile and wave my hand.

“Oh, yeah. I’m so exhausted I’ll probably fall right to sleep.”

Lies.

He nods and gives me a sad smile back.

“Thank you, Julian,” I say. “For everything.”

He leans forward, and to my surprise, he leaves a soft kiss on my cheek. I get out as Tyler opens the door and wave as I walk through the revolving doors. I make it up to my room and lock the door just before the tears start to fall. But as I’m about to go full on sob-fest, my phone starts ringing. I clear my throat and take in a deep breath through my nose.

“Hey, Ma,” I say. “Landed safe?” I force the chipper tone as she tells me about her flight and how Julian flew her first class again. She asks me what I did today, and I tell her.

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