Page 178 of Finding Us

“My dad taught me some stuff and the rest I learned on my own. I read a lot and I keep up on business news.”

“I didn’t know that. I mean, I know you read business articles but I thought that was just because it’s your major. I thought you did that for school.”

“Some of it’s for school, but a lot of it’s to help me make investment decisions.”

“So how much did you make?”

“A lot.”

“What’s a lot? Like a few thousand?”

“More like a million.”

“Holy crap! You seriously made that much money?”

“When you have a lot to invest, you can make a lot more back. Or you can lose a lot. But I didn’t lose very often. I mostly came out ahead.”

“What did you do with the money you made? Reinvest it?”

“I used it to buy your engagement ring and all the other stuff I bought you last year. Then I invested the rest.”

“So that was your money. It wasn’t your dad’s money.” I don’t ask it. I say it aloud to myself as I think about what he said. I had no idea Garret was doing that. I just assumed he used the money from his trust fund.

“That’s why I started investing. I wanted to be able to buy you stuff using money I’d earned. Obviously, the money I invested came from my dad by way of my trust, but I felt like the money I got back from my investments was mine. My dad didn’t have anything to do with that. I’m the one who did the research and picked the stocks. And because of that, I felt like I earned the money. Like it was really mine and not his.”

“And then the organization took it away.”

“They didn’t take it. They gave it to my dad. It was part of the deal. My dad tried to get them to let me keep it, but they wouldn’t allow it.”

I smile. “I’m really impressed.”

“With what?”

“I’m impressed that you did all that. That’s amazing. That investment stuff is really hard and you were able to figure it out and make money. A lot of money. That’s really impressive, Garret. Why didn’t you tell me you were doing that?”

“I didn’t think you’d be interested.”

“I’mveryinterested. In fact, I think it’s really hot.”

He laughs. “You think investing is hot?”

“I think it’s hot that you know how to do it and that you’re good at it. You should invest some of that money you just got.”

“I will. But right now I want to use some of it on you.” He kisses me. “So can I take you out for dinner?”

“I’d love that. But I’m really hungry, so I’m telling you right now it’s not going to be cheap. I’ll probably order the biggest steak they have.”

“I think I can afford it. I’d spend every last dime of that money on you if you’d let me.”

“I know you would.”

“I love you, Jade.”

“I love you, too.”

He looks like he’s going to say something else, but then he doesn’t.

“Oh, and uh, thanks for the makeup sex.” I kiss him. “It was really good.”

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