Page 140 of Committed to You

“She’ll be happy to hear that.” He chuckles.

Nico and I spend over an hour talking. We segue into many different topics. We discuss our interest in sports. Not surprisingly, he’s into soccer, or football as he keeps correcting me, and I surprise him with my love and knowledge of the game. I make a mental note to get tickets to a professional match soon. He’s never gone to one.

He asks questions about my businesses and real estate, and he tells me what it was like for him having to learn English, immigrating, and night school.

I genuinely like Nico. He’s funny and smart. I see so much of Vivian in him.

We are laughing when Vivian and her mom come into the room. Nico stands up, and her mom gives me a big hug. She puts her hand on my heart and has tears in her eyes. “You scare us.”

I put my hand over hers. “I’m okay.”

She takes her other hand and puts it on mine. “You come to Sunday dinner.”

“Count me in.”

Nico winks.

Calixta and Nico leave, and it’s just Vivian and me.

Vivian runs her hand through my hair. “I saved the penthouse.”

“I forgot about the penthouse. The sellers will still let us close?”

She smiles. “Yes. They are giving us a deadline of Friday.”

Relief runs through me. I want the penthouse for Vivian and me to create our life together. Since I saw it, I saw her light up, and I imagine us with kids running all over it. “Good thing I have an awesome agent.”

“Pretty sure your offer has a lot to do with it.”

“Nope. It’s all about my agent.”

She leans down and pecks me on the lips. “Noah and Jamison are going to find out about getting you out of here sooner.”

“Jamison is here?”

“Yes. Oh, the police took Meredith out of the hospital. She had parting words for me.”

I grab her hand. “I’m sorry.”

“Stop. No more sorries.”

I take a deep breath. “You might not like what I tell you next.”

“What’s that?”

“I know she hurt you. But I want to pay for Meredith to get whatever type of psychiatric help she needs. For her well-being but also so she doesn’t try to come after you again someday.”

Vivian lets out a breath. At first, I think she is upset with me, but she bends down and kisses me. She puts her hand over my heart. “This is why I love you.”

Epilogue

The next few months are busy. Chase secures all five locations for Vital Services and is awarded several contracts with hospitals in Chicago. Jamison is out of the country and can’t be found. Quinn and everyone else worry, but there is nothing we can do. Chase spends almost all his time in Chicago but has to go to New York often to cover for whatever Jamison would normally do.

Chase closes on his penthouse. The furniture gets delivered, and he hands me an Amex card to buy whatever else I think he needs.

“What’s my budget?”

“Whatever you want.”

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