“We have a lot in common,” he says at one point, taking the thought right out of my head. “I was really nervous about one of my first big investments, and I almost didn’t do it. Back then, every penny really meant something to me, and I could have lost it all, but I had this feeling, and this had been my dream. I wasn’t born with much, but damn I was good with numbers. I had to take a chance on myself and—”
“You did it,” I finish for him. He owns one of the biggest investment firms, if not the biggest, in the city, so clearly he’s got what it takes.
“I did. I got what I thought I wanted most in my life. I proved it to myself, and I made it so that I never had to worry about having a roof over my head or food on the table again.”
“What do you mean you thought it was what you wanted?” I ask, coming down from the ladder. The tree is all but done, and I’m surprised by how quickly time has flown while talking with Nicky. Our conversation came so easily that it felt like we’re old friends.
“Work has been my life, but there’s something else I never had.” He holds his hand out to help me down the last few steps, and I take it.
“A family,” I say for him in understanding. He pulls me into his body, and I rest my hands on his chest.
“Now I’m not so sure why I work all the damn time. What’s it for?”
“You’re a handsome man. I’m sure you could find yourself a wife.” I hate the words as they leave my lips.
“I don’t want anyone as a wife. Have dinner with me tonight.” He keeps surprising me.
“Nicky.” I bite my bottom lip, really wanting to say yes.
I thought I had him all figured out. Even when I thought he was a bit of a jerk, I was still crushing on him. Now I know I could really fall for him. Nicky might want a family, but he’s obsessed with work. I’d never want to come second or even third, and I wouldn’t want my children to either.
“You have to eat.”
“Okay, I’ll let you feed me.” A smile lights up his whole face like a kid on Christmas morning. I don’t know what comes over me, but I lean up on my tiptoes and press a kiss to his cheek. His fingers sink into my hair, and he turns his head and his lips brush against mine.
I close my eyes as I feel the heat of him against me. “Star.” He breathes my name against my mouth. “I’m going to kiss you.”
My body screams for him to do it already. I’ve been thinking about this moment for so long now, but before he can, the sound of excited children comes rushing into the auditorium. I jump back like a kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar. The squeals of excitement from the kids and even the parents fill the room, and a bunch of the children shout Nicky’s name when they see him.
“Nick!” a woman calls. “This is amazing.” The beautiful blonde comes rushing over toward him, and I think I’ve seen her before at the office. She practically throws herself at him as children start to surround him too. They all know who he is, so he must come here often.
I turn away, not wanting to see the woman in his arms as I slip through the crowd of children, thinking dinner will have to wait. I think for a moment Nick forgot who he was. He’s a busy man who has no real use for me.
He fired me once, and I don’t need to go through that again. This time with my heart.
Six
NICK
By the time I finish saying hello to my sister, I can’t find Star anywhere. Astrid and I were foster siblings, and after she turned eighteen, she went out west to go to school. She came back earlier this year, and I was able to give her a job at my company. Now she’s home for the holidays and staying until after the new year. I wanted to introduce Star, but somehow she took off without me knowing.
After I check in with the staff and find out none of them have seen her lately, I let Astrid know to distribute the tree boxes for the kids to take home. When I walk outside the community center, I don’t see Kenny anywhere. He must have given her a ride home, and thankfully it’s not too far.
Deciding it will be faster to just walk rather than contend with traffic, I make my way to her place. By the time I’m a block away, I’m practically running. I climb the stairs two at a time, and I don't hesitate when I knock on her door. Damn my carefully laid plans, because this wasn’t anywhere on the list of ways to make Star fall in love with me.