Page 24 of Shameless
“What was your favorite show?” I asked.
She laughed. “Sex and the City.”
We passed security and drove onto the runway where the plane waited. “That’s why you picked New York?”
“Yeah.”
She scooted out of the back seat with me and took my hand as she stared at the private jet. Then she squeezed my palm more tightly and walked up the steps toward our leather seats. We would only be in flight for an hour, so I’d ordered the small jet readied.
She pressed her lips together, and once we were airborne, she turned and asked, “Why did you end up in Manhattan and not London? I know hardly any details about you.”
Her nerves were interesting, and my heart beat a little faster since she was finally noticing me.
I winked and said, “You weren’t interested before.”
Her eyes widened. “I am now.”
I traced her hand, still in mine. “My parents weren’t comparing me to anyone. They are narcissistic and care only about appearances, if I’m entirely honest. I felt alone most of my life until I went home freshman year of college with Kir and Charlie. They had a caring mom, a strong family bond, and I’ve never wanted to leave.”
She nodded. “Their mom is nice. I can’t imagine raising all those boys, though. I’d have gone crazy.”
I shrugged. “Me too.”
“Good. For a second there, I thought you’d tell me you want a dozen children.”
“No,” I said. “However, their dad, Parvis, has helped me build my wealth, and for most of my life, the Norouzis helped me amass a fortune because I pay the bills they forget about.”
Her knees brushed into me. “So you already care for the estate.”
The air smelled like her lavender and citrus shampoo, and my heart stirred. “Directly, no. I don’t want to cater to more whims, but I know, one day, I’ll get the estate.”
The plane’s wheels rushed against the pavement, blocking our ability to speak for a minute.
As we taxied to a terminal, she brushed my face and said, “So you’re responsible and good in bed. What is something fun that I don’t know about you?”
I leaned closer until our foreheads brushed. “That until you came to the apartment I’d been staying in, I had no idea how to use a vacuum, and I laughed when you judged me.”
She laughed and held her stomach as we deboarded and said, “I’m sorry I was a snob.”
“It’s okay.”
Then we headed to the waiting limo. At Charlie’s house, I’d seen a few TV movies where the girl goes back home after her successful New York life and dumped the city boyfriend to find some guy from her small town. That idea hit me again as we were driving past some tobacco crops.
I was tense because I hadn’t shown Britney how wonderful our life could be and I wasn’t ready to lose her.
We stopped in front of a one-story ranch house built in the 1970s.
Britney seemed tense as she whispered, “It looks smaller.”
“Ready to go talk to your parents?” I asked.
Until recently, Britney had seemed strong and determined, but her face had turned white. As I stood taller, she said, “I can’t believe we’re here.”
I would take her pain away if I could. “Just hold my hand.”
“Promise not to leave me.” Her voice was soft, like a melody that played in my heart.
I puffed out my chest as though making a solemn vow. “Never.”
