Page 10 of Stolen Sun

We spend the rest of the meal talking about my return to work, how my parents are doing, and other meaningless small talk. His company proves to be a much needed distraction from my morning. After lunch, we take the elevator upstairs to his office to finalize the paperwork I’ve been draggingmy feet over.

The corner office is equally lined in bookshelves and windows. After closing the door, he gestures toward the conference table to the left. He offers me a seat in front of the papers already on the table waiting for me.

Grant begins by giving me the shortened version of why I’m here. “As you know, Nate was part-owner of Grant Holdings. He had a will set up leaving everything of his to you, which means you now own 25% of my company. First, I need your signature to complete the transfer of his shares into your name. Once that’s done, I’d like to explain how this works for you moving forward. Do you have any questions?”

“Grant, I don’t want a portion of your company. He already left me his trust fund and a large life insurance payout. I don’t even have to work as it is without this. Not to mention I receive payments from my own trust fund. If Nate and I had children, maybe this would make more sense,” I finally tell him why I’ve been avoiding him and these papers.

“Noel, not having children didn’t make you any less his wife. This is what he wanted. He was very adamant before you even got engaged that he wanted every part of 'two becomes one'. Please allow me to follow through with his wishes,” he says with tears in his eyes.

“I’m sorry,” I say, reaching across the table to squeeze his hand. “Alright,” I whisper and begin signing on all of the marked lines.

Once I’ve finished signing all of the documents assuming 25% ownership of Grant Holdings, Grant explains to me how the Board of Trustees operates. We decide it would be best that my votes are cast however he sees fit, excusing me from ever having to attend the meetings. He tells me that I will receive dividends quarterly, and he will help me invest the earnings or whatever portion ofthem I choose.

By the time we are finished going over all of the paperwork and details, I’m exhausted. Grant walks me to the elevator and hugs me while we wait for the doors to open.

“Thank you, Noel. I’d like to schedule lunch again soon if you’re up for it?”

“I’d like that too.” I tell him while getting into the elevator.

Once I’m inside my car, I pull my phone out to send Kate a quick message asking if she will meet me at one of our favorite restaurants just outside of town. Then, I drive home to shower and change.

“So, you’re officially still rich?” She says after I sum up my meeting with Nate’s dad.

I shrug my shoulders and take another sip of my wine. “I almost asked if selling the shares back to him would be possible, but he was too emotional. I just signed what he gave me to sign.”

“Why don’t you think you should have Nate’s shares? If he were still alive, you’d have access to all of it.” She always asks the right questions, the ones whose answers I try to avoid.

I sigh and decide to tell her the truth. “Nate and I didn’t have kids. I’m young. I may eventually remarry. Wives who inherit their husbands’ companies have children to raise or have no other means outside of the business or have helped build the business. I don’t fit into any of those boxes.”

“You were his wife. ‘Other half’ means part of a whole. Nate adored you. I’m sure he would want you to move on and have a full life, including having children with someone else if you choose. He knew what he was doing when hecreated his will, and he would want you to move on with the financial security he left you.” She tries to help me accept it.

“Grant said something similar, but it feels strange to be tied to Grant Holdings without being married to Nate,” I try to explain how complicated I feel.

“See how it goes with this first quarterly payout and investment. Maybe you can start a charity of some sort in his honor if you still don’t feel right about using the money for yourself,” she suggests.

“I like that idea,” I say and sit up a little straighter.

She smiles. “Let's talk about us going out tomorrow night. You know my brothers will be there? This is the fourth year for it. I had no idea Declan Adams owned Velocity, or I would’ve tried to pull the ‘we graduated together’ card to get on the list sooner.”

I picture Kate sashaying into the lobby at Velocity telling his prim and proper secretary that she needs to see Declan, her old high school BFF, in full drama queen mode. The contrast between my bubbly, wildflower best friend and perfectly-put-together Claire makes me giggle.

“You know? I can’t believe I didn’t ask before now. Is he still hot?” She asks.

I almost choke on my drink at that. “Uh…yeah. Unfortunately, that’s an understatement,” I admit, and heat pools in my stomach picturing him standing in front of his desk this morning.

“Ooooh. I’m proud of you for admitting that out loud! A gorgeous bad boy is exactly what you need in your life right now,” she says with a giggle.

“If only I could be more like you,” I say with a smile and a sigh.

We both laugh, again.Thank God for Kate.I really needed this after such a heavy afternoon.

“So,” I change the subject, “are you going to let me have veto power over what you plan for me to wear tomorrow night?”

“And let you hide your best assets from your hottie high school crush? Not a chance!”

Chapter four

Declan

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