I froze as I wasn’t sure how to handle this. “They're kids. And you know this house and the stables.”

  The pitch of her voice went higher. “I hate letting him out of my sight.”

  Charlie gazed at me, and I lowered my head and quieted my voice. “He goes to school every day, and we have security everywhere.”

  “Fine.” She crossed her arms and avoided looking at me.

  Then she took a deep breath and seemed to relax. My heart stopped racing.

  “I’m sure he’s fine. I’m the one who worries.” She sighed and took a champagne flute one of the servers handed her. I did the same. “Maddie wants to have lunch this week.”

  We glanced across the room, where Charlie was tugging Maddie away from Arman for a dance. “And do you want to have lunch with her?”

  “Yeah. She’s the closest thing I had to a female friend growing up." Clarissa shook her head and laughed as Charlie showed off a new dance move. “And your brother is incorrigible. Heaven help the woman he marries.”

  My body tightened as I wondered if she had a crush on my brother. My heart sped up. “You think he’ll settle down?”

  She shrugged. “He’s good with kids and has a kind heart, but whoever he marries is going to have to deal with unrelenting energy.”

  “True.” That summed up Charlie.

  She tilted her head and patted my arm. “So, it’s a slow song…”

  I offered my hand, and she took it. “I was gearing up to ask you to dance. I was jealous of seeing you with Charlie.”

  “Why?” she asked. “We were only bouncing around. I prefer dancing with you.”

  I wished I knew how to learn her secrets so she would let me in. I held her in a dance pose. “I… I’m waiting for you to realize you can trust me.”

  She shrugged. “In some ways, I trust you more than I trust me.”

  My soul soared like that was true. I spun her around, and as she returned to face me, I said, “Well, I was hoping spending time with my family again made you feel more comfortable.”

  She cupped my face. “It’s crazy to me how, in some ways, none of you have changed—except for you.”

  The song ended. We headed to the backyard patio as it was quieter there. “What do you mean?”

  She gave me a quizzical look. “You wear your responsibility now.”

  I lowered my head and whispered so only she could hear. “Let’s keep that between us.”

  We stood at the door of the backyard patio, but she turned around and scanned the grand room. “Where are Gerard and Adrien?” she asked, referring to my two brothers who weren't present.

  “Gerard is touring the world on his yacht for a gap year with his fiancée, and Adrien has classes.”

  “Hard to imagine he’s in college now.”

  We took a step outside, and the air was cool but pleasant.

  “When I left, he was only slightly bigger than Sam is now.”

  I took her hand and squeezed it. “Wait for Christmas. Everybody will be here then.”

  She sighed. “I never forgot about Evan.”

  My heart stilled. He’d been the funny brother who had an old soul. “What was the bond between you two?”

  She took a deep breath. “He seemed to see what my life was like, the part about my parents that I’d been so scared to tell you. And he shared his popcorn.” She closed her eyes briefly. “I miss him.”

  “He’ll always live in our hearts.” I wished it was that easy. My brother and she might have gotten serious if he’d lived. I might never have had a shot with her.

  I needed to make things right. The fact that she'd waited so long to tell me about her parents meant I needed to be a better listener and more attuned to her needs.

  14

  Elon

  The night air was magnetic, and the moon was almost full, casting light over the garden. Behind the house was the beach, and if I listened closely enough, I could hear the sound of the waves breaking.

  My lips tingled to kiss her again.

  I wanted more than distant memories of past kisses. The urge to taste her was overwhelming. However, I tucked my hands in my pockets and gazed at the garden. She squeezed my arm. “I want to go and check up on Sam.”

  “Okay.” I took a step to join her.

  She shook her head. “No, stay. I don’t want to interrupt him, just ensure he’s happy from a distance. I’ll be right back.”

  One day, hopefully, she'd want to take me with her. “I’ll wait then.”

  She smiled brightly and headed down the garden path toward the stables.

  My heart beat faster. I took a few deep breaths and relaxed. She was already being wonderful with me.

  My brother Charlie playfully bumped into me. I hadn't seen him coming as I was paying attention to Clarissa. “Where’s Clarissa?”

  I cocked my head, wondering if he’d always held some sort of flame for her. Arman and all of my brothers at one point had acted as though getting her attention was some sort of prize. She’d avoided their nonsense, and everyone had grown up. But Charlie… he seemed interested in her. My skin prickled. “She’s checking on Sam. Why?”

  He shrugged and smiled. “I need to confess that I’m watching the two of you closely.”

  I hated the idea of getting into an argument with any of my brothers. “Why?”

  Charlie leaned against the wall and stared at the sky. He let out a huff. “I’m a mess, and I’ve wondered what I’d do if any of the women I’d been with… was pregnant and I had no idea.”

  I should have known he'd never make a move on Clarissa. None of us would ever betray each other. “I’m trying to fix things with Clarissa, and you keep popping up.”

  “I like the two of you.” He sat down on one of the metal garden chairs. “But you two had a relationship. I don’t know if I've ever stayed in one place long enough to have even a chance at redemption.”

  I took the seat opposite him and smiled. “You’re being serious tonight.”

  He scooted forward in his chair. “Flying is fun. I love seeing the world while taking everyone on a life adventure, but I hate actually working for a corporation.”

  This sounded more like Charlie. I sat back, “Baba warned that you wouldn't like it.”

  “If I quit, he’ll be right.” Charlie rocked in his seat as we spoke about our father.

  “It’s not like you'd lose anything by quitting," I said.

  Following our passions was something we’d all been urged to do since birth. Charlie always had his head high.

  “You’re right," Charlie said. "I’m still deciding what I want to do. I just hate being the unreliable one, and I’m jealous of you and Clarissa.”

  My lips thinned. “Why?”

  He let out a long sigh and folded his hands. “Because I’m nothing like you, and maybe I need to change so I’m a better version of me. I think you changing brought her back to you. If I’m lucky, maybe I’ll figure out whatever is going to make me happy too.”

  So he already thought Clarissa and I were more than friends.

  My skin buzzed like it did when she was near. I pressed my hand to the back of my neck and stood. “I need to get going.”

  He stood too. “Of course.”

  I felt a hand on my back. I turned to see Clarissa, and a thrill rushed through me.

  “What are you two talking about?” she asked.

  I stood taller. “How Charlie hates working for a corporation.”

  She nodded. “I can’t imagine a Norouzi taking orders from anyone.”

  Her observation was spot-on.

  “I made up a picture in my head of what being a pilot might be like, but the day-to-day of answering to anyone is wearing on me,” Charlie said.

  She looped arms with me. “Well, your family loves you, and they don’t want to see you unhappy.”

  Charlie smiled. “True. Where have you been all these years?”

  Her face went white, and she blinked. “I was pretending to be a princess.”

  She referred to the make-believe world that I’d rolled my eyes at.

  Charlie said, “Elon can get you a diamond tiara, and you can walk around with it on your head every day if that’s what you need.”

  That sounded like the perfect plan, a small way to show her that I was different than other men and that her dreams were important.

  She laughed at Charlie's suggestion. “Now, that is a picture.”

  I took my phone out and texted the local jeweler what I wanted. “I’ll have it delivered in the morning.”

  She let me go. My body grew cold. She hugged herself. “That’s too much.”

  Charlie backed away. “I’ll leave you two alone.”

  I'd meant the gift to show I was trustworthy. “He’s right. You are a princess.”

  She rocked on her feet. “Don’t be silly. It’s not who I am, and I’m not looking for anything from you.”

  I pressed my hand on her shoulder. “I used to roll my eyes at your dreams of princesshood, but we can now make it happen.”

  She turned toward me and touched my face. “You’re strange tonight. Let’s head back inside.”

  She put her hand in mine, and we walked toward the house.

  I asked, “How was Sam?”

  I opened the sliding door at the back of the house for her. “I think Sam and Aurora might turn out to be best friends.”

  Arman’s daughter struck me as a curious kid. I only said, “That’s good.”

  We returned to the family party where my mother had clearly forced Cyrus and his wife into showing everyone their new dance routine. We stayed in the back and watched.

  “Where is Aurora going to school?” Clarissa asked.

  Cyrus and Rachel twirled past us, and I glimpsed pure bliss on my brother's face.

  Hopefully, one day I’d know what that felt like.

  “She goes to school in Manhattan. Do you want to move to my place in the city?”

  Her nose wrinkled. “No, we need roots. I don't want to move for a while, but if Sam and Aurora stay friends, we might need to visit more often.”

  “That would be nice.” I kept holding her hand.

  “I like Sam having a cousin as a friend. It means he’s less alone.”

  I whispered, “And you?”

  She shrugged. “Well, I’m here, so that’s all we’ll say about that.”

  She had no idea how she took my breath away. Clarissa was the sweetest woman I’d ever met and would ever meet. She made me happy simply by existing, even when we were doing nothing at all.

  15

  Elon

  The party had moved to the beach where my family was enjoying a small bonfire on our private beach and talking.

  It was almost midnight.

  Clarissa had headed into the house, and somehow I’d missed her. Our son slept beside me on a beach lounger.

  When she returned to the beach, she squeezed my arm. “Ready to head home?”

  I stood, and my heart was full just from being near her. She kissed our son’s head. “Can you help me with Sam?”

  "Absolutely," I said. Sam weighed over fifty pounds. I steadied myself, picked him up, and held him against my chest.

  “Sam and Aurora had so much fun chasing fireflies together,” she said.

  We were ready to go. I waved to my parents, and Clarissa, Sam, and I returned to the helicopter.

  Today was a good day.

  I rubbed Sam's back as we walked, though a staff member helped me buckle him into his seat that pushed back into a bed.

  Clarissa covered him with a blanket, and a few minutes later, we were all settled in our seats as the helicopter took off.

  She clutched my arm and held Sam with her other hand like she’d save him from danger if something went wrong at liftoff.

  Soon we were in the air, and she relaxed.

  Servers offered champagne, and we both took it. When we were alone, I said, “So everyone remembers you.”

  She put her drink beside her and took off her shoes and massaged the sides of her feet. “Your mother and father are even kinder than I remember.”

  Her new shoes must not be broken in, as she had a nasty cut. I stood and grabbed cream from a first aid kit. “Baba always said the secret of his success was appreciating his life as it was and wanting to give back and invest in people and their dreams.”

  I dabbed her foot with the cream, and she recoiled like it stung. She reminded me of some of my patients. I finished with the medicine and sat back down beside her.

  “He’s amazing, but it’s honestly your mom who always impressed me with her kind heart.”

  We picked up our drinks. “She’s my pedar's perfect match, I think. I have no idea what I’d be like if they hadn't taken me in.”

  She gazed at me, and once again I had the feeling we were alone.

  “Don’t even think about that and upset yourself," she said.

  “I’m not.” My heart thumped, and I folded my hands together. “Can I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”

  Her face pinkened, and her eyes went as wide as saucers. “Thanks. It’s so easy to be with you that it’s kind of scary.”

  I stilled. “I’m not trying to scare you.”

  Her lips quirked higher. “You’re not. You’ve been an absolute gentleman. I’d stopped believing your type existed.”

  My heart beat faster. “Type? What type?”

  She brushed my cheek with her fingers. “A nice guy I might believe in and… hope Sam models after.”

  My lips tingled for a taste of her, but I held back. “I want to show my son I’m here for him in more than a material way.”

  She scooted closer, and awareness rushed through my veins. “You will. It’s slow right now, but you’re both great guys.”

  I asked, “And you?”

  “I’m not a guy.” She giggled.

  I laughed. With anyone else, I’d have come closer for a kiss, but I held still. I was weak with Clarissa. I swallowed. “No, you’re not, but you are great.”

  She lowered her lashes. A moment later, her lips pressed against mine, and I forgot the rest of the world.

  She was in my arms again.

  As the kiss ended, every cell in my body was burning with desire. I remembered her soft skin and pert nipples and how I used to burn for her. I still did.

  The helicopter landed, and she sat back. “It was inevitable.” She unbuckled her seatbelt. “We’re home.”

  I unbuckled too. She motioned to Sam. “Carry our son to his bed.”

  “On it.” I jumped to my feet. After Sam was in bed, I needed to have another taste of her. One wasn’t enough.

  I unbuckled Sam and picked him up. I glanced at Clarissa and wondered how she managed to do this as he seemed too heavy for her to carry.

  We disembarked, and I followed her on the path. She unlocked the door, and we headed upstairs. We were both silent until she said, "Thank you."

  I held our son tight so he didn’t feel any jarring when we climbed the steps. “This is just as much your life as it is mine.”

  She shook her head and opened the bedroom door. “It would be so easy to fall into believing in fairy tales again with you.”

  I gazed down at her without moving. “I believe in you.”

  “Let’s focus on Sam and go to bed.” She directed me to our son's bed as she grabbed his nightclothes.

  “Of course.” I took off his shoes.

  We worked together to change him and get him under the blanket. I worked quickly.

  She kissed his forehead, and I massaged his head, and then we snuck out of the room.

  As she closed the door behind us, she gazed up at me.

  I wrapped my arms around her. She closed her eyes and puckered her lips. I knew she was into me, and I kissed her again.

  It felt like fireworks exploded in my veins.

  I needed her. As I held her close, for one second, it was like time disappeared and she was mine again.

  She broke off the kiss and practically flew out of my embrace. “Good night, Elon.”

  I watched her walk to door of her room.

  “Good night, Clarissa.”

  Part of me had wanted to hold her tight and not let go. However, I knew kisses and sex weren’t going to win her trust.

  16

  Elon

  Last night, I remembered every moment of college and when I’d last kissed Clarissa. She’d been the only girl I’d ever wanted and the only one who ever mattered. Now that I’d tasted her again, I knew for a fact she still fit that description. No one else could compete.

  So I woke up at the crack of dawn, worked out till I sweated, showered, and came downstairs for breakfast.

  Neither Clarissa nor Sam were up, but the staff made me tea and started preparing breakfast while I read the news on my phone and texted back and forth with Arman.

  I wanted to experience bliss with Clarissa in my bed. The thought rushed through me as I tried to read about trade relations and taxes.

  Footsteps echoed, and I sat up straighter and put my phone away.

  A moment later, she appeared. This time, she had our son beside her. She blushed. “Good morning.”

  I nodded and poured Maman's special blend of tea for both of them in case they wanted to sample it. They took the seats next to me.

  Sam watched his mother put her napkin on her lap and then did the same. I waited for them to settle in.

  “So Arman said Maddie and Aurora want to plan a day with us," I said. "They wanted to know what we were doing today.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “Do you have work plans?”

  My staff served us plates of food. “It’s Sunday, and I generally don’t see patients. I’ve started the company, but finding doctors who want to franchise is harder than I thought, as not everyone is looking to run a business.”

  She sipped her tea. “So you’re busy.”

  I shook my head. The point of owning my own company was to delegate work to others . I was the organizer. I picked up my fork. “The opposite. I don’t have to do anything. We can do whatever you want, whenever you want it.”