Page 33 of Never Let Go

I glanced at Porter, still wondering if he was ever going to get angry or jealous about the fact that I was inheriting so much and he wasn’t getting a dime, but there was no indication of either as he looked back at me. “Let me know when you’ve got the money. I’ll hook you up with the investment company I’m using. They’re good. They’ll make sure you’re set for life and then some.”

“Thanks,” I said. “You’re sure you’re okay with this, though? I could split it with you.”

He arched both eyebrows at me and shook his head. “No, you’re not doing that. He left it to you, and besides, I’ve already told you that I’ve got more money than I know what to do with. Hope and I are set, and so are our children and theirs. If my investments keep going the way they are right now, none of our descendants will ever have to work a day in their lives if they don’t want to.”

Hope nodded as she glanced at me. “It’s true. Porter’s doing really well and we’ve spoken about it a bit. He’s really not angry.”

“I’m happy for you, man,” he reiterated before he gave me a slight smirk. “Besides, this way, I can stop feeling guilty about my money and just enjoy it.”

I snorted. “You never had to feel guilty about it to begin with.”

“I know, but it still took its toll on me.”

As I looked at him, I realized that he was being completely honest. He had been feeling guilty about having made as much as he had, and I’d never even realized the extent of it. Shaking my head at him, I looked back at Hope.

“You know how you told me that you don’t care how much I inherit, I’m not allowed to quit?”

She nodded. “What about it?”

“Well, you’re not allowed to quit either,” I said. “Not even if your fiancé is bringing home all the bacon in the world.”

“You got it.” She laughed. “Do you think you’re going to move to a different place once you get the money? There’s a place for sale down the road from us.”

“Maybe I will move, but I’m definitely not going to start spending the money before I have it. If that place is meant to be mine, it’ll still be on the market by the time I’ve gotten used to having so much money and I’m ready to spend some of it.”

She nodded and got up. “Well, we’ll leave you to it. I’m glad you found a nice girl, Foster. Really. I hope it works out.”

I inclined my head in a brief nod and smiled at her. “Yeah, so do I. I’ll let you know when I’ve gotten everything taken care of with the estate, but as soon as it’s done, I want date number three, okay?”

She nodded. “I’ll be ready as soon as you are.”

As she and Porter left, I finally switched on my computer and got to work, once again tempted to look Amanda up but not doing it. If I was being completely honest with myself, the mystery was making this more exciting and I’d be seeing her soon enough.

I could wait just two more dates to be able to do it.

16

SHELBY

My heart was in my throat as I stood behind my desk and watched my office door opening. Foster was coming to sign the final paperwork today and my assistant had already announced his arrival.

When that door was all the way open, I would be seeing my old crush again and I had no idea what to expect. As he walked in, though, I realized that my heartbeat remained completely even. My date with Tyler was still at the forefront of my mind.

Foster was still gorgeous, of course, with thick brown hair, vibrant green eyes, and his tall, fit frame, but I just didn’t react to him the way I had before. It hit me then that I was finally over him, and it felt incredible.

A wide smile spread on my lips as I extended my hand toward him. “It’s nice to see you again, Foster.”

He gave me a slight grin as he shook with me. “Yeah, you too, Shelby. Remember me yet?”

The question was asked lightly. Playfully instead of flirtatiously, and while I hadn’t been sure if I would, I found myself blurting out the truth. “I do, actually. In fact, I remembered you before you even walked in for our last meeting.”

He chuckled as he released my hand. “I’m glad to hear it. I was a little worried about being that forgettable. We did live together for two years.”

I laughed, waving him into a seat as I took my own. “You were never forgettable. It’s just that this is a new job and I wanted to do well. Telling the grandson of the man whose estate was my first account that I used to have a huge crush on him back in college didn’t seem like a great way to be professional.”

Foster blinked hard, his lips parting in surprise before he swallowed and blinked again. “You had a crush on me?”

My nose wrinkled and I nodded, flushing all the way to my hairline, but at least the truth was out there now. “Not just a crush. The biggest crush ever. I’m sorry I pretended not to remember you. I was just trying not to make a fool of myself.”